Fear of Driving: Symptoms, Causes, & Treatments

What Is the Fear of Driving?

A fear of driving, or vehophobia, is an intense and irrational fear of driving. Individuals with vehophobia go to great lengths to avoid getting behind the wheel. This can include refusing to drive altogether, avoiding certain roads or highways, or only driving under specific conditions (e.g., only during daylight hours or only with a trusted person present). In situations where they are forced to drive, they will experience extreme symptoms of anxiety or panic throughout the process.^{1, 2}

The fear of driving can manifest in many different ways. Many individuals are afraid of bridges or driving through tunnels, and they avoid them at all costs. For some, highways and increased speeds cause them to panic. For others, the congestion, traffic, and chaos of city driving are overwhelming.

What Causes a Fear of Driving?

A fear of driving, or vehophobia, can be caused by many different factors.  While some individuals may develop a fear of driving due to a traumatic experience or a significant negative event, for others, this phobia can seem to spring from nowhere. Younger people have a higher risk of developing a driving phobia, and having family members with phobias or anxiety disorders can also increase one’s odds.³

Causes for a fear of driving include:

Amaxophobia or Hodophobia

Amaxophobia, the fear of riding in a vehicle, or hodophobia, the fear of traveling, can significantly contribute to the fear of driving. These phobias can create intense anxiety and distress at the thought of being in a moving vehicle or traveling, leading individuals to avoid driving altogether. This avoidance behavior reinforces the fear, making it challenging to overcome without proper treatment and support.

Experiencing, Witnessing, or Hearing About Driving Accidents

If a person was in a serious accident while driving and was injured or caused an injury to another, they could develop a fear of driving as a result. The same could happen even if they were a passenger in the car.

For other people, stories, videos, or close calls with traffic accidents could be enough to spark a long-lasting fear of driving. For example, a person could see a video posted online or hear about a loved one’s experience with a traffic accident, and this information could be enough to bring about a specific phobia.¹

Panic Disorder

Having panic attacks while driving can cause a fear of driving for individuals with panic disorder. The intense physical sensations and overwhelming anxiety of a panic attack can create a strong association between driving and fear. After a few episodes, the mere thought of driving can trigger anxiety, causing individuals to avoid driving to prevent another attack. This cycle reinforces the fear.

Modeling From a Parent

When a parent models a fear of driving, children can internalize that anxiety and develop their own fear of driving. Kids often look to their parents for cues on how to perceive and react to situations. If a parent frequently expresses fear or avoids driving, it can create an impression that driving is dangerous or stressful. This learned behavior can persist into adulthood.

Performance Anxiety

Performance anxiety can contribute to a fear of driving, especially when individuals worry about their ability to drive safely or fear making mistakes on the road. This anxiety can stem from a pressure to perform perfectly, fear of being judged by other drivers, or previous negative driving experiences. As a result, the anticipation of driving can trigger overwhelming nervousness and avoidance behaviors.

Fear of Authority

If someone is anxious about encounters with law enforcement or other authority figures, they may experience a fear of driving. This fear can stem from past negative experiences or a general discomfort with authority figures. The mere thought of driving can trigger anxiety about driving altogether, with the individual trying to avoid potential interactions with police or other authority figures on the road.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can contribute to a fear of driving, especially subtypes such as hit-and-run OCD. Individuals with this type of OCD may obsessively worry about accidentally hitting someone or something while driving, even if there is no evidence to suggest it happened. This constant doubt and fear of causing harm can make driving an intensely anxiety-provoking experience. As a result, some individuals with OCD may avoid driving altogether to escape intrusive thoughts and compulsions.

Other Anxiety Disorders

Other anxiety disorders like generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), agoraphobia, and claustrophobia can create a perfect storm, making the thought of driving overwhelming. GAD can lead to chronic worry and heightened anxiety, making the unpredictability of driving stressful. Agoraphobia involves a fear of being in situations where escape might be difficult, such as heavy traffic or highways. Claustrophobia, the fear of being in enclosed spaces, can make sitting in a car unbearable.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Not Related to Driving)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), even when not directly related to driving, can still cause a fear of driving. Trauma can heighten a person’s sense of danger, making everyday activities, including driving, feel unsafe. The hypervigilance and anxiety that accompany PTSD can make it challenging to manage the sensory and cognitive demands of driving. For instance, loud noises or sudden movements on the road might trigger flashbacks or panic, leading to an intense fear of being behind the wheel.

Symptoms of Driving Phobia

A fear of driving will trigger symptoms of extreme anxiety or panic. They can occur at the thought of driving, while driving, or even as a passenger in a vehicle.

Physical symptoms of a driving phobia include:¹

• Quick, shallow breathing
• Increased heart rate
• Muscle tension
• Headaches
• Chest pain
• Trembling
• Sweating
• Nausea
• Panic attacks while driving

In addition to physical symptoms, a key symptom of a driving phobia is avoidance of driving. This can include making excuses to stay at home, asking your friends and family members to drive, intentionally not getting your car repaired, or moving to areas where driving is not necessary. Also, individuals with vehophobia often report having intrusive thoughts about being in an accident, getting lost while driving, or being stranded if the car breaks down.⁴

When to Seek Professional Support

A fear of driving is an intense challenge, but it’s important to remember that with the right coping skills and support, it is possible to overcome phobias. Specific phobias are recognized mental health disorders, which implies that they will respond best to professional treatment. A mental health professional can help you identify the cause and develop a treatment plan to reduce symptoms. Phobias rarely go away on their own, so taking proactive steps is crucial.

Grow Therapy is an online therapist directory that offers detailed filters to help you find therapists who specialize in phobias. If your driving phobia prevents you from seeing a therapist in-person, online therapy services like BetterHelp and Talkspace also provide access to qualified therapists from the comfort of your home.

If your driving phobia is due to a traumatic incident or you are experiencing panic attacks while driving, you may want to consider medication. Online psychiatry services can connect you with a psychiatrist who can recommend suitable pharmaceutical options.

How Is Vehophobia Diagnosed?

Vehophobia is diagnosed by a mental health professional through a comprehensive assessment that includes a detailed patient history and a clinical interview. During the assessment, the clinician will assess your symptoms and comparing to the clinical criteria for specific phobias. The clinician will consider factors such as the intensity of the fear, avoidance behaviors, and any past traumatic experiences related to driving. The professional can usually gather the needed information in just one session.

Driving Phobia Treatment

The treatment options for phobias are straightforward and effective. Exposure therapy is the gold-standard method to help individuals overcome their fear. It involves slowly and systematically exposing oneself to driving in a controlled and supportive manner. For example, a person might start by sitting in a parked car to get comfortable with the environment. The next step could be turning on the engine and sitting with the car running. Gradually, they might progress to driving around an empty parking lot, followed by short drives on quiet streets, and eventually moving on to more challenging driving scenarios, such as navigating through traffic or driving on highways. Each step is taken at the individual’s pace, with the support of a therapist, to ensure a gradual and manageable reduction in fear.

Exposure therapy is often combined with other CBT for anxiety techniques, such as challenging negative thoughts. Additionally, anti-anxiety medication may be used if necessary to manage symptoms.

Long-Term Impacts of a Fear of Driving

The impacts of a fear of driving depend on the kind of support someone has, how severe the fear is, and how long it lasts. In severe cases, this fear can lead to extremely negative outcomes and pose risks to an individual’s mental and physical health.

Imagine someone with a severe phobia living in a rural area where they don’t have much support from friends or family. They probably don’t have access to public transportation, and walking everywhere isn’t really an option because things are too far apart. Without easy transportation, it becomes really hard for them to get to work or school. This can lead to job loss and strained relationships because they can’t function at their best.

If the situation is severe enough, they could be unable to meet their most basic needs. Accessing healthy foods and medical care may become too anxiety-provoking, leading them to skip appointments and rely on highly processed foods. This behavior increases the risks to their physical and mental health.