i'm 23, i'm starting driving school next week but whenever i've tried learning before I get behind the wheel and all my confidence goes out the window. I just seem to fixate on the fact that once I have my liscense i'll always have my daughter in the car with me and I start to worry about what if something happens. I'm just looking for any tips to relax while driving and any other tips not related to the mental aspect of driving. All I really know is, the gas, break, heat and radio....please help, after all you may end up on the same road as me one day so it would benifit both of us......

Stay away from me when your out on the road....please please please please please.

Don't be thinking of the worst all the time. When you walk down the street you're not constantly thinking "what if a murderer jumps out and stabs me right now?" right? Just focus on the task at hand. Work on staying between the lines, keeping a safe distance and always having an "escape route" if you need to swerve around anything for example. It also helps to assume that every other driver out there is a moron and that you should be on the defensive in case they do something stupid.

The best way to build confidence is practice, practice, practice. Get out on quiet side streets or back country roads. You want to be away from other traffic. Then just go around the block a few times, and then go around several blocks. If there are no stop signs, pick a quiet, empty stretch and practice - use a tree or bush or car and pretend that's the stop sign. Signal your turns, use your mirrors, and leave the radio off for the first few times. Try parking, too, both parallel parking in in a pull-in parking spot. Practice backing up 50 or 100 feet in a straight line. When I learned to drive, we had a drill where we had to back a figure 8 around 2 light poles in the school's parking lot. But practice, practice, practice.Once you're comfortable with these skills here, go to a busier street or road, and try driving there. Do left turns and right - use the center turn lane, if there is one. Try parking again.Work your way up from here - go for the main street in town, the busy highway leading out of town, and the interstate. You'll figure out how to do this soon enough.You'll quickly learn that driving a car isn't all that difficult. You'll will also learn (hopefully) that you DO have to pay attention, if only for your daughter's sake.

First off reduce distractions as much as possible when you are driving. Most accidents that occur are a result of the driver being distracted. Second get as much practice as you can. The more experience you have behind the wheel the more comfortable it will be. Many people are nervous when they get behind the wheel for the first few times. You can always start off in areas that are not busy, perhaps even a cemetery. Deep breathing also would not be a bad idea, and choosing the right person to help you learn is also important. As far a driving goes a few tips I always tell people are first be patient with all other drivers. Pretend that you know all other drivers on the road and so do not become upset when they do something that you were not expecting like cut you off or drive slow in front or you or tailgate. Keeping your head level will reduce the chance that you are in an accident. Expect drivers to do the unexpected, that way when they do instead of becoming upset you can say I knew he/she would do that. Keeping a safe following distance is also a key. In normal driving conditions a 2 second following distance if you are driving a car. That will give you the time to react to what is going on in front of you.Keep your eyes moving. Always be looking around and know what is going on. Look about 15 seconds ahead of you for brake lights and red lights to give you more time to react. Know what is behind you should you need to slam on the brakes, or to your side if you need to make a sudden shift...sometimes to avoid an accident it is better to move out of the way then to slam on brakes. I hope that this helps, being a little nervous on the road is not a bad thing, it will keep you from becoming too relaxed, just do not allow it to prevent you from driving. You will get better; I wish you the best of luck.

This happens to all mothers who are learning to drive for the first time. As you gain confidence in your driving , your fears will just melt away! And then it will be child's play with or without your child beside! In any case you wouldn't have her by your side for some time. So just relax and enjoy the learning.

Safe Driving Tips

Safe Driving is a decision and takes years to learn. Please review these tips to make you a safer driver

Before driving a car, do a simple safety check. Turn on the lights and walk around the vehicle to ensure that all lights are in working order. Also check your blinkers for proper operation. Look for any fluid leaks or things hanging from the vehicle. Check that the tires are properly inflated.

When you get into the car, adjust all mirrors and seats before placing the key in the ignition. To properly adjust the left mirror place your head against the left window and adjust the mirror so that you can just see the left side of the car. For the right, move your head towards the center of the vehicle and adjust the right mirror in the same way. When you are sitting correctly in the driver's seat, you will not be able to see your vehicle, but your blind spots will be greatly reduced!

Always wear your seatbelts.

Always drive with your headlights on, a car is visible for nearly 4 times the distance with it's headlights on even during daytime hours.

When stopping at a stop sign, be sure to feel the car rock backward and spell S-T-O-P to yourself before proceeding. Always turn your head to look left, then right, straight ahead, then left again before proceeding.

When a light turns green, look left, then right, straight ahead, then left again before proceeding through the light. Notice all vehicles and ensure that someone else is not going to run the light.

Keep your eyes moving. Notice what is happening on the sides of the road and check behind you through your mirrors every 6-8 seconds.

When driving on a two lane road that allows parking on the right, stay toward the center line to allow for room if someone were to open their door to exit their vehicle in front of your car. This forethought will help you from swerving to miss an opening door. If there is no parking allowed on the road position your car toward the right to allow for more room between you and oncoming traffic.

Expect the other drivers to make mistakes and think what you would do if a mistake does happen. For example, do not assume that a vehicle coming to a stop sign is going to stop. Be ready to react if it does not stop. Never cause an accident on purpose, even if a pedestrian or another vehicle fails to give you the right-of-way.

Every time that you re-fuel, check your oil and other fluid levels. Look for noticeable leaks throughout the engine compartment.

If your car stalls on the road, do not leave your car. Wait for the proper authorities to come to your aid. Do not let someone talk you into leaving your vehicle.

When traveling behind other vehicles, there should be at least a 4 second space between your vehicles. When the car in front of you passes a stationary object, slowly count to yourself. If you pass the object before the allotted time, you should back off. When traveling at night or inclement weather, these times should be doubled.

Don't talk on a cell phone while driving. Phones detract from your ability to concentrate on the road and increase your chance of a collision by nearly 400%. If you must use the phone, pull over to a safe, well-lit parking lot and place your call there. After completing your call you may continue on your way.

Take a lesson from pilots. When leaving for an out of home trip, be sure to give an itinerary to someone back at home with the route of travel, approximate time of arrival and a contact number at your destination. Do not deviate from this plan without informing your at-home contact. If you are traveling a long distance, check in throughout the trip with a current location and any changes in your route or times. If something were to happen, this information may be used to narrow the search.

When being approached by an emergency vehicle, pull to the right shoulder of the road and STOP. Put on your hazard lights to allow others to see you better.

Carry in your vehicle, in an easy to find place, all contact numbers that you may need as well as Emergency contact information, personal information and any outstanding medical needs that you may have.

Leave early, plan to arrive 10 minutes before the appointed time. Speeding does not increase your ability to arrive on time, rather it only increases your chances of not arriving at all.

When traveling on a multiple lane road, keep in mind that the left most lanes are for passing only. If not actively passing a vehicle, stay in the right lanes, allowing others to pass.

Avoid the "No-Zone" with trucks or busses, they cannot see you from many areas. Remember if you cannot see the driver in the truck's rear view mirrors, they cannot see you! Also remember that trucks make large right turns.



There is an old saying... "If the roads are wet, then drive like it's snowing. If the roads have snow, then drive like they're icy. If the roads are icy, then don't drive."


In inclement weather, if it is necessary to reduce one's speed, the brake should be applied slowly without making sudden moves. When making sudden moves it's much easier to lose control of your vehicle.


Remember as your speed increases so does your braking distance. If you double your speed, you quadruple your braking distance. If you double the weight of your vehicle, you double the stopping distance.

1.USE SEAT BELTS. IT’S THE LAW: This law applies to all front seat passengers. The police are enforcing this law and will issue a ticket if you are not wearing them. Also additional to the requirement of child seats for children 4 and under, the law requires children between the ages of four through seven to ride in a booster seat whenever traveling in a motor vehicle.
2.RIGHT ON RED: In Hawaii you are allowed to turn right on a red light after coming to a complete stop.
3.USE TURN SIGNALS: It helps the flow of traffic especially at busy intersections.
4.DRIVE WITHOUT STRESS: Remember you are on Maui. You are on vacation. Most drivers around you are also on vacation and they will take their time. There is no need to be in such a hurry to get to your destination. Allow a generous driving time if you are heading back to the airport or if you have an appointed time for an activity.
5.BE CONSIDERATE: Try to incorporate the ’Aloha Spirit’. Allow fellow drivers to merge. The most you will lose is one car length or 5 seconds of time.
6.DON’T TAILGATE: Be aware a lot of drivers are enjoying the scenery while driving and they might slam on their brakes at the most unexpected times especially during Whale season. Do not ruin your vacation by becoming involved in a rear-end collision.
7.PASSING: Is it really necessary to pass that car especially when there is a string of cars in front of the one you are planning on passing? Is the 5 to 60 seconds that you will gain really worth an accident that can ruin your vacation?
8.SLOW DRIVING: Please be considerate to the fellow drivers. If you are driving slow to enjoy the views make sure you have no cars behind you or pull over to let them pass.
9.DRIVING THE MOUNTAIN: When descending Mount Haleakala, try not to use only your brakes. Slip your car into 2nd gear and only use your brakes when absolutely necessary. Drivers who have relied only on their brakes to get them safely down the mountain have found themselves with overheated and useless brakes resulting in an accident.
10.ROAD TO HANA: The road to Hana is not only beautiful it is also narrow and winding. The road is not exclusive to cars. Small and large trucks also use the road. Stay as far to the right in your lane as possible, especially when negotiating the numerous blind hairpin curves.
11.THINK YOU’RE LOST? Do not read a map while driving. Please pull over, stop and then study the map. One nice thing about Maui is that there are so few roads (4 basic ones), thus it is very hard to get completely lost. So don’t worry, relax and take your time.
12.KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD: Maui is a beautiful place with much to see. If you are tempted to view your surroundings while driving, please pull over to do so. For the safety and courtesy of other drivers, please keep your eyes on the road while driving.

Guys, I really do admit it to you - I am very thankful for all the pieces of advice written here.
I have a driver's license, yet I've never used it, because I have no car and now I'm afraid to sit behind the wheel. My girlfriend has a car and really likes to go with it somewhere, but I hesitate using it.
About the instructions, I think that one should have confidence as well as reason - you should not shake, because you feel a bit inadequate on the road, but also you shouldn't consider yourself being highly experienced when driving.
Someone above said - practise! This, in my opinion, is the key.