Struggling to gain confidence driving in Sydney
For context I got my driver's license about a year ago and only started driving independently a few months after that. I moved overseas early this year to Sydney and started driving regularly again around March.
I’ve been trying to practice twice a week while balancing full-time studies, mostly driving to familiar places like malls, but every session leaves me more anxious and mentally exhausted. I get tailgated or honked at sometimes even when I’m following the speed limit, and expressways stress me out a lot. I’ve gone down the wrong route multiple times and spent ages rerouting afterwards.
My progress feels incredibly slow. I don’t really dare to explore new routes or places because I’m scared of messing up, panicking, annoying other drivers, or worse causing an accident. I’ve even gone back to needing someone in the car with me when I drive, and it feels difficult trying to regain independence again.
I’ve started preferring busy school days over off days because it gives me an excuse to avoid driving altogether.
Does driving anxiety eventually get better with experience, or is this one of those things where you just have to push through until it sucks less? Would really appreciate any advice or suggestions thanks