Anxiety When Driving!
Topic 27983 | Page 1
Follow your training. As a new driver, this is the first of many, many steps.
Fear of the unknown and the associated anxiety that goes with it are to be expected.
If you ever get "too comfortable", that's when bad things are more likely to happen.
Hi! I am here because I am starting on the path to obtaining my CDL so I can't speak to driving trucks, but I have some experience with anxiety, which I have at times going over really high bridges in any vehicle. My advice is when you feel it starting take deep breaths, in through the nose, out through the mouth, really deep but calming not over exerting. Focusing on it helps. Remind yourself over and over if you have to that you DO know what you're doing, that you will be fine, and that you handle it. Put on some music you like or a talk program or something you find interesting to shift your thoughts. I personally believe in God and remind myself that He protects me always. Hope this helps and I wish you a long and lucrative trucking career!
Hey! I went to school to get my CDL in January. Graduated in February. Trained for 5 weeks and upgraded in March. I brought my new 2020 Freightliner home 2 weeks ago and go out on my first load on Sunday. All of a sudden I am experiencing such great anxiety about driving that I continuously ask myself, “what the hell are you doing?”. This fear of someone else cutting me off causing an accident, backing the trailer into something, and so on is so difficult for me to deal with! I was in the military and drove many large vehicles, always faced new challenges without fear, etc. Now...I have such anxiety about going out on my first solo run/load that it’s becoming an issue. I’ve come so far and worked so hard to get here that I’m not about to give up. Any suggestions? Thanks, JH
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
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Hey! I went to school to get my CDL in January. Graduated in February. Trained for 5 weeks and upgraded in March. I brought my new 2020 Freightliner home 2 weeks ago and go out on my first load on Sunday. All of a sudden I am experiencing such great anxiety about driving that I continuously ask myself, “what the hell are you doing?”. This fear of someone else cutting me off causing an accident, backing the trailer into something, and so on is so difficult for me to deal with! I was in the military and drove many large vehicles, always faced new challenges without fear, etc. Now...I have such anxiety about going out on my first solo run/load that it’s becoming an issue. I’ve come so far and worked so hard to get here that I’m not about to give up. Any suggestions? Thanks, JH
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: