Amaxophobia or fear of getting behind the wheel of a new car: tips to reduce anxiety

Getting around in your favourite car is comfortable and hassle-free. But for some people, the thought of getting behind the wheel of another car gives them “cold feet” when they have to change from one to another. Here at Avis, a full-service car rental and leasing provider, we share some useful tips on what to do to reduce the unpleasant feelings and get used to your new car faster.

Fear of driving – one of the most common phobias

Shortness of breath, increased sweating, anxiety, insecurity, panic attacks and intense fear of being involved in a road accident are just some of the signs that a person may be suffering from amaxophobia. It turns out that fear of driving is not uncommon, but rather a common phobia experienced by around one in ten people. Especially those who have recently obtained a driving licence. Similarly, drivers who are used to driving only one car on a daily basis may experience this fear when they have to drive someone else’s car, for example a rental, an acquaintance’s or work car. In addition, drivers with decades of driving experience can also be affected by amaxophobia.

Advice on overcoming fear

Remember that discomfort is a normal reaction to driving a strange car, but you should try to overcome it from the first few times you drive. This can be helped by both moral and physical preparation to build confidence in your abilities and to be able to act appropriately on the road.

Car survey

To calm anxious thoughts about what it will be like to drive a new car, and to reduce your excitement about what’s to come, research the car thoroughly before you set off. Switch on the high and low beams, turn indicators and windscreen wipers. Also find the hazard warning button and adjust all the settings you need to feel as comfortable as possible on the road. Make sure you know where the petrol station is, as you may have to go to the petrol station at some point. Otherwise, if an unexpected situation arises on the road, you will probably start adjusting all the switches one by one, creating dangerous emergency situations.

Go for a ride when there is no traffic

It is advisable to take a few minutes to go for a short drive in the streets where the traffic is less dense, or to do it when there is no rush hour (e.g. after 21.00). This is especially important when the car is equipped with a manual gearbox rather than an automatic, as you need to feel how the accelerator, brake and clutch pedals work.

Ride with a companion

If you feel safer on the road with someone else in the car, feel free to invite a friend, colleague or family member along. Sometimes it doesn’t even matter if the passenger has a licence, because the presence of another person can be reassuring even without one.

Listen to relaxing music

Listening to music is another way to relieve tension and anxiety. But remember that the genre of music you choose can affect both your driving style and your speed, so rock music might not be the best option in this situation. Instead, prefer calm and relaxing music that evokes joy and pleasant emotions.

Perform breathing exercises

The right breathing exercises are often enough to overcome stress and panic attacks. If you feel that you can’t relax behind the wheel and that you’re running out of oxygen, it’s better to pull over, calm down and do the breathing exercises again calmly.

If you have tried all the tips but your amaxophobia is still present, it is advisable to consult a psychologist or psychotherapist. A specialist will be able to assess the situation and prescribe the most appropriate therapy so that the fear of driving becomes a thing of the past and no longer restricts life to any extent.

Although amaxophobia can cause severe discomfort and affect quality of life, it is possible to overcome this fear. Remember that stepping out of your comfort zone can create wonderful opportunities. For example, in this case, the opportunity to rent a state-of-the-art car with us –MyAvis!