NOAH AOC

Well after 1 failed attempt and some luck ( I only had to do the 15 minute test instead of the 30 minute test), I offically have my drivers license!!! I have restrictions of course - no freeways, not to exceed 45mph, daytime only, bioptic lense, but I am so excited!! Now here is the catch, I am terrified to drive!! I haven't drove yet (alone), I dunno what my rpoblem is, I drive ok, I'm just very inexperienced, but I can't get over the fear to go drive. I was hoping me getting a "cool" new car (I really want a Honda Pilot) would give me some confidence or something, but then I think woudl it be a waste of money if I can't get over the fear, and then I think I have no other option, I have to get my daughter to daycare, I have to get to work, I have to be independant, I really want to know what that is like, I am just so scared and I keep putting it off.

 

Any advice or similar experiences??

 

Ohhh btw I have OA/Nystagmus and my acuity is 20/200, 20/30 or 40 corected w/bioptic for my left eye.

I also just got my licence ( 6 days after my 30th birthday)....needless to say I am dreading the day when I will haveto be behind the wheel alone since I have been driving with friend in the car all this while ....I also ride a motorcycle but for some unexplained reason I am not scared to ride that alone without the bioptics....it is rather funny that different states have different laws .... the only restrictions on my license is that I have to have lenses or bioptics....no mention was made of speed or freeways...guess I lucky

 Count me in on this boat, too.

 I've had my license a year and have done very minimal driving alone (like, half a mile/mile at most on my own.) and only when necessary. I don't even drive as often as I could. I usually still end up riding! Doesn't help that my family is freaked by the fact I drive. (not by *how* I drive- but that I do.) I'm still terrified by the idea. I'm inexperienced, still feel the lack of vision at times (40 feet can make a big difference!) and the traffic around here *sucks* (MD in between DC and Baltimore)

 Your vision is considerably better than mine. Mine is 20/200 in the left and 20/400 in the right corrected to about 20/70-20/80.

I also have no restrictions other than wearing contacts.

The honda pilots are nice cars. I recently bought an older generation (late 2004, nearly 2005) toyota rav4 that I love. Its small enough to be very maneuverable, gets pretty good gas mileage,  and is great for me visually minus the annoying obstructive headrests in the back row which i removed and will eventually replace..

 
I do drive more now that I have my car, and while I feel more comfortable in it since its a great match for me visually- I'm also terrified of crashing it! :)
 

Ultimately, I think we're all just going to have to get the experience, and get over it. Because the only way to get the experience is to drive, and we have to learn to trust ourselves after convincing the rest of the world that we can do it. Or at least it is true for me. :) 

Well, I live in Northern VA to be exact and have had received my license 3 months after my 30th birthday too :)  I use bioptics to drive and have had them for over 12 years, but my fear prevented me from approaching the driving circuit sooner.  I worked with an instructor who had experience working with people who use the bioptic and he really helped to give me the confidence I needed to drive. 

 Other than the daytime restriction for the 1st year, I am able to travel on the expressway (but I was tested for that and could've opted to have this as a restriction too)  I passed my driving exam on the first shot and it was about an hour long.  I also took it on an overcast, snowy flurry day.  My vision corrected with the bita is 20/60.  I can go back and apply for an unrestricted license but have been so lazy. 

  Although I don't drive everywhere, I love the freedom you have when getting behind the wheel of your car to run a 3 minute errand that could take up to 20 minutes or more waiting for the bus.  I am a Mom to a 3 year old and being able to take her to the doctor on my own or on a trip to the library is very rewarding for me.   I envy those of you with nice cars, LOL I got my Mom's hand me down 1996 Ford Taurus.  My hope is to get a newer model Honda Civic or Accord, the dials are larger to read and illumniate nicely for easy viewing.

Congrats to everyone who took or is taking the step to drive, you will be happy that you did. 

Greetings All:

I am currently 31 years of age and got my driver's license on the first attempt about 10 years ago. I was 21 and everyone in class was 15, imagine my horror. I took the bus and a little boy was driving his friends and a huge Chevy Suburban.... Well, that made me anxious. However when I took the on road lessons and I was scared to death by the second day. Needless to say I paid for driving school and didn't attempt to get my license aftwards. It took me about another year to get my confidence up. When I took the six hours on-road lessons again and I was ready.Was licensed and on the road in 30 days! I have albinism and use the bioptics. My telescope is over my left eye and corrects my vision to 20/20. I was inspired to start driving by a sixteen year old friend with albinism who had gotten his license a few years before me. Since, me I have encourage some of my other female friends and teacher/mentor to get their licesnse with bioptics. Have also met many others who already had cars and licenses before I met them. All of us have albinism too! 

When I first started driving I had an older modle vehicle and would only drive on the street. I had a night restriction and bioptic restriction on my license. After a few months of burning money on gas going the long way and being force to go and come at night, I decided to retest for night driving and have the restriction removed. After I did that the rest is history. So, you will have to test your own comfort level and take gradual steps to reduce the fear. The best way to find comfort in driving alone, is learning to use your mirrors. They are your friends and you will find a great convenience in freeway driving once you learn to use them well and get comfortable with speed. When in Roman do as the Romans do,LoL!

Funny story is Christmas 98 a 16 months after I had gotten my license my sister and I had been up and down the long rout traveling from home back out to our favorite shopping places. After the third time, I got tired of seeing the same scenery so I jumped on the freeway and headed home. We were yelling chhhhaaaarrrrrgggge! all the way. It was so easy that, I got back on the freeway and drove all the way to another close by city to pick up relatives. Got their in 15 minutesm which is easily a 45 minute drive for me when slow poking around. Once we arrived I then asked my cousin to drive home, hahahahahhahaha!  Too much excitement for one day, LoL. After, that it was no problem.

Driving is a privaledge and a major convenience and it will take time to find your comfort level, but don't rush yourself. You will do fine!

Greetings, I am a new driver and while I have some advice (I just posted in a related series of posts under this topic) maybe encouragement is equally needed. During one of my driving lessons, I told my instructor I was too scared to go on. I didn’t think I could do it. I was too scared I was going to hurt somebody. I was becoming preoccupied with death, car accidents, and the like. My sleep was affected. My instructor simply said that I should push on to get my license, and then I could do as I wished, but it would be good to have the license. I agreed. After much fretting I passed my test with a perfect score, and had a very encouraging discussion with my tester, who was impressed my approach, the care I took to this new responsibility. I started slowly and each week take on a new driving experience and gain confidence. I’ve never pushed myself too hard, but I’ve always pushed enough to drive every day and a new errand once a week. While I don’t think it is for everyone, I think a lot depends on how one approaches it. Seeing or looking and vision are not the same thing, and while my vision is weak, I have learned my “seeing” has become stronger as a result of driving. I now routinely pick up my sighted friends and drive them...after years of carting me around!

hi all

i m 17 years old (going to be 18 in 3 months).i dont have lisence.in India, lisence age is 18 years

 

i drive bike form last 2 years.i usually drive in heavy traffic areas .those who have seen india can understand indian traffic.I usually drive at speed of 40-60 kmph..sometimes at above 75  but thats scary

my vision is 6\60(left) and 3\60(right).i think 6\60 is equal to 20\200.PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I M WRONG

i dont use any kind of glasses.just my eyes

 

now i m learnin to drive a car.my father dosent allow me to drive.he is scared due to my low vision but i still drive (with my friends).i have drived my car in heavy  traffic areas only.

its too difficult for me.i sometimes cant see poles or cyclists.i know its dangerous but still..i want to drive

i sometimes cry of not able to being drive.i m totally dependent on others.i want to have surgery  tenotomy

till now i have drived car 6-8 kilometers only

 

i m considering of having surgery but noone is helping me on this forum.i dont know why.please help me guys n gals who have surgery done

 

My advice for anyone scared to drive would be to practice driving l=places alone when traffic is low, like late night/early morning (if you don't have night restrictions). I guess I'm the opposite of most people. My low vision driving instructor was a tyrant and really pushed me, so when I finally had my license and was driving alone, it was like a huge load was lifted off my shoulders and I really enjoyed driving, though pretty cautious since I didn't have experience. Now I really enjoy driving around, especially on freeways. Honestly, they're much easier to drive on than city/town roads since there's only one thing to focus on and no stopping. I was always relieved to get on a highway when I was in training. I have had a couple fender-benders, and for a while I had nightmares of rear-ending people, but overall I still enjoy driving quite a lot.

Hey all wish I was in you all's boats, but was wondering if any of you had been told that you were too imature to drive. That's what happened to me when I went to try for mine. Was fitted with did a practice like test and everything and was told by the people at ok I'm gonna tell you the place VISION CENTER OF CENTRAL OHIO. If anyone has been through that please let me know. I'm about to go through that crap again. I can't work, because of Social Security has forced me to retire. Oh here's my email address. dragnfly36@yahoo.com .

 

Cheers

Shawn