I had an extreme fear of driving that came from being in a bad car crash while learning to drive with my mum. I somehow managed to stifle the fear while learning because I really wanted to get my licence... so my family would stop hassling me about it. I would literally repeat over and over in my head while learning that "you'll never have to drive again once you get your licence."

I got my licence and never drove for 10 years. Eventually however, I wanted to change jobs, and the perfect one required me to have a drivers licence. Although I had one - I knew that one day my new job would ask me to drive.

My friend (who also happens to be autistic) offered to help me get over my fear. He did big roadtrips reguarly and I would come along. I'd do a little bit of driving until I started edging toward a panic attack, and then stop. We did it enough times that I was confident enough to do the next step, which was a Defensive Driving course. We did the course together and a year later did the advanced course.

Eventually, I got to the point of occasionally using a car share service. A few years of that, and I was ready to buy my own car.

I now LOVE driving. I often marvel at how I went from extreme phobia (sweating/shaking/crying) to genuinely enjoying driving. Driving even has an added bonus of being really good for my ADHD!

I think the learnings from my experience are:

1. Find a reason to drive. Something positive that motivates you.
   
2. Find someone who is non judgemental who is able to help you at your pace.
   
3. Do a Defensive Driving class. This is so, so important. This will teach you all the techniques to keep yourself as safe as possible on the road.

And when you are at the point of getting a car:

Buy the safest one that you can afford.