Customer Reviews

Drive Without Fear: The Insecure Driver's Guide to Independence

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am 48. I got a license when I was young but never drove because I was just too afraid. I recently moved and driving is a necessity. I bought this book and have read it through 4xs now. It's extremely helpful and reassuring. It's explained so many things that must just be second nature to others but I had to have someone tell me plainly. For example, N. Klein explains how to steer the car and how to make a turn in plain, easy to remember ways. I am driving distances of 100 miles by myself now, and although I am still cautious and nervous, I am driving! I've never written a review but I had to for this book. Thank you, Mr. Klein.

When I looked on Amazon.com for driving books, this one's title certainly got my attention. I was, and still am, a nervous driver. I've been driving for 7 months (I'm 20 years old), and have had my license for almost a year. I feel comfortable driving in my own town; it's unfamiliar areas and their more complex traffic conditions that make me uneasy. The book is right on when it says the only way to get over the fear of driving is to get behind the wheel and practice. It doesn't always have to mean a big city; I started out in my quiet, trafficless neighborhood and a cemetery! Gradually, over time, you'll eventually get more and more comfortable with driving. I still have a ways to go (like attempting to drive in Dallas, EEK!) but this book helped me to finally get started. But at least now I have some independence and can run my own errands!

I'm 47 and have made several unsuccessful attempts in the past to get my license. The difficulties I experienced seemed to be something I had to live with and could not get over. What changed my life was that I read the previous review and thought "here was hope for me".

So I ordered this book. Mr. Klein seemed to have written the book expressly for me, even though it is aimed for new and learning drivers 55+. He covered all of the concerns that older drivers have, especially the ones that I had (turns and changing lanes)with specific examples and tips. Yesterday (12/26/02) I received my driver's license. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has fear or trepidation of learning to drive and getting their license. If I can do it, you can, too!

I really liked this book. I'm in my 20's and have been avoiding the task of getting my driver's license. I think I was mostly scared of it out of lack of knowledge. I never knew how I was supposed to steer or turn. Noone ever explained it to me either. My state's driving manual wasn't much help. It's as if it is assumed that everyone knows this to begin with. On the road I would panic because I really didn't know what I was supposed to do. Then I found this book, and the author explains quite a few things! Not only does he go through driving rules in more detail than there would be in a manual, but he also gives instructions for how to steer, whether it be when you are going straight, turning left or right, parking (angular, parallel), or making a k-turn. There is also a diagram to help you identify the parts under your hood, and even a whole chapter about driving stick shift. Even though reading is different from actually driving, just being given that knowledge makes me feel more confident about learning to drive. This author repeats information alot, but I think it is a good way for the reader to really remember the points that he makes. One of those points he stresses is that no matter how scared you are, the only way to get over it is to just do what you are scared of. He says that as scared as you are, he has taught many people who were also scared how to drive, and even the worst drivers were able to get their licenses because of their determination. They may not feel able to use highways, but they are still able to get around locally. There were some people he taught who had more potential but never got their licenses because they gave up. He actually gives several case examples of people he taught. Though the author identifies his audience as being predominantly older females, this book is really for anyone with a fear of driving. So I say, good luck to you and please wish me good luck, because I am going to get some driving lessons soon!

I am 40, and I finally got my driver's license last year. I am still a very nervous driver after a year on the road, and I was hoping for some advice with the problems that I am still having. I was disappointed to realize that I'm not really the book's target audience. I gave it five stars in spite of this because I think if I had found this book when I was struggling to learn, it could have made a big difference to me. This is a book for that person who has tried to learn and thinks they never will. It is less useful for the anxious driver who can get around the neighborhood but is looking to improve skills and confidence to go to the next level. One great thing that I did get out of it is a better knowledge of what I was doing wrong all those years when I couldn't keep a car on the road.

I am 36 years old and never learned to drive before. Early on my attempts at learning consisted of working with very impatient instructors who would tell me I will never learn or that I drive "like an old woman." I just knew if I could find a book that actually explained the cues and motions to use as a guide when am behind that wheel I would be able to know and anticipate when I would need to use those learned skills at the right moments. I have two issues with driving, the first is lack of time behind the wheel, and the second is getting to where I feel comfortable behind the wheel. Am halfway through this book and now when am in the car I am more confident in that this author describes what I am going to be looking for in terms of visual cues for driving on the road. Thank you for writing this book Mr. Klein it is worth the price several times over!

I am in my late 20's and since I came here in US I have always been scared of learning how to drive. I tried to practice with my husband but oftentimes I get frustrated with myself. I just bought this book a week ago and I started practicing this weekend. I have let go of my fear (which to me a good start). I focus on the road and stop watching the nose of the car and it made a lot of difference. I am going to work on my turns still but I am excited to learn more.

I am hoping to get my license this year!!! I know I can so can you!!

i am a practicing psychiatrist and this book clearly presents what is needed in the treatment of phobias--that is clear cut cognitive upgrade of skills that then serve to enhance one's confidence, and thus lower's ones fears around the vexing issue of driving panic. i think this book should be attendant to every local anxiety/stress clinic that focuses on in vivo treatments for panic.

To all the people here who have either a fear of driving, or who have had bad experiences with the driving exam -- you are not alone.

Klein's book is a good companion in guiding you through your fear and boosting your confidance because he is talking to you on your level. I still have anticipatory anxiety before I have to get in the car but remind myself of this book and its methods. I know that I can do it each day, even if it is for a short drive. His writing style is humorous and it is always encouraging.

I agree with the reviewer to deal with positive people. Don't let negative ideas or people stop you in your goal, deal with decent, encouraging people who will teach you where you need to improve and not defeat your confidence. Drivers who chide people who can't drive can often increase the fear -- many times I've heard: "if you don't drive, there must be something wrong with you". This is a criticism and judgement upon me without understanding my fear of driving. I can be a competent driver, but I have a fear, you see. I am a good sport but inwardly my fears and anguish are magnified.

Any bad experience, whether angry criticisms or an unfair examiner can be a setback for all of us; your resolve will determine how soon you get back on the road. I can't stress it enough that you need to align yourself with supportive cast. Be aware that not all criticisms are constructive nor the last word. Practice with a different instructor, or take the test with a different examiner. It will boost your confidance many times over once you discover you are making strides to becoming a confidant driver!

I use supplementary literature when I have more specific concerns about road rules. I would recommend in addition to Klein's book, the book from the Alliance of Safe Driving called "License to Drive". Also the student manual from the AAA Driver Improvement Program called "Managing Visibility, Time, & Space". The latter two titles have excellent narrative and illustrative descriptions.

The best thing about this book is that it is very encouraging to fearful drivers. Its message is that you can be happy just being a neighborhood driver, and if careful, you will probably never have an accident near your own neighborhood. This is very good news, however, I'm not so sure how true it is, considering the number of teenagers getting into accidents in my neighborhood. I am a careful driver, but if a maniac teenager hits me, I will get into an accident anyway. The other great thing about the book is its tips for preventing accidents, such as stopping is not always the right thing to do, look in the mirror often, put your car over the black shadow on the road to stay in your lane, etc. From my experience driving with an instructor for over 40 hours, Mr. Klein's tips are valid and useful, and include mistakes I've made. However, his section on steering really confused me. You cannot learn to steer from a book. You need to feel the car and drive to learn to steer. Overall, I am happy with the book's message that I can drive if I tried.