Why Anxiety Can Show Up During a Driving Test (Even If You Drive Fine Normally)
Many people feel confused or frustrated by driving test anxiety. They may drive confidently during lessons or everyday journeys, yet find themselves tense, shaky or overwhelmed during the test itself. This can lead to self‑doubt and the belief that something is “wrong” — when in reality, this reaction is extremely common.
Driving test anxiety isn’t a reflection of your ability to drive. It’s usually a response to pressure, observation and expectation — not a lack of skill.
Why the Driving Test Feels So Different
A driving test changes the emotional context of driving. The presence of an examiner, the importance attached to the outcome, and the sense of being evaluated can all signal threat to the nervous system.
Your brain isn’t responding to the road — it’s responding to what the situation means.
Automatic Skills vs Conscious Monitoring
Driving is largely an automatic skill. Under pressure, attention often shifts inward- monitoring every movement, decision and mistake. This conscious monitoring can interrupt natural flow and increase anxiety, even when the skill itself is well learned.
This is why people often say:
“I suddenly forgot how to do something simple”
“I started overthinking everything”
Why Anxiety Isn’t a Sign You’re Failing
Anxiety during a driving test doesn’t mean you can’t cope. It usually means your system is trying to perform well under perceived pressure. In fact, high-functioning, conscientious people often experience performance anxiety because they care about the outcome.
The difficulty isn’t anxiety itself — it’s how anxiety interacts with attention.
How Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy Helps
Solution‑Focused Hypnotherapy is not just about relaxation or “switching off”. While relaxation can be part of the process, the core focus is helping the brain and nervous system respond differently in pressure situations.
SFH works by:
Reducing over‑monitoring and self‑focus
Supporting the nervous system to experience safety under pressure
Strengthening trust in automatic skills
Helping confidence generalise into the test environment
Rather than analysing past failures or forcing confidence, SFH focuses on small, future‑focused changes that allow confidence to re‑emerge naturally.
Confidence returns through experience
When the nervous system experiences pressure without threat, confidence begins to return. Over time, driving under test conditions feels more like everyday driving — not because anxiety has vanished, but because it no longer dominates attention.
If driving test anxiety is getting in the way, support can focus on helping your mind and body handle pressure more calmly — without reliving the past or forcing relaxation. You’re welcome to explore whether this approach feels right for you.
Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy is a complementary approach for emotional wellbeing. It does not replace medical or psychological care and is not intended to diagnose or treat medical conditions. Anyone with concerns about their physical or mental health is encouraged to seek appropriate professional advice.
Book your 60-minute Initial Consultation to begin focused, solution-led support
Support with anxiety and wellbeing
I’m Andy Selway-Woolley, a Solution-Focused Hypnotherapist based in Upper Heyford, near Bicester, Oxfordshire. I offer in-person sessions from my local therapy room as well as online hypnotherapy across the UK.
My work focuses on supporting people with anxiety, overthinking, confidence difficulties, sleep-related issues, and related wellbeing concerns using a calm, practical, solution-focused approach.
I’m a registered and accredited member of Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (AfSFH) and National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH).
You can view the full range of areas I support on my website.
If you’d like to explore whether solution-focused hypnotherapy feels right for you, you’re welcome to get in touch or book an initial consultation.