Driving Anxiety Quiz: 10 Questions to Find Out
Take this free online self-assessment at https://renewalbh.com/do-i-have-driving-anxiety/ to check for driving anxiety (amaxophobia). Reviewed for 2026.
Steps to access and complete:
- Go to https://renewalbh.com/do-i-have-driving-anxiety/.
- Find the self-assessment section.
- Answer the 10 questions.
- Submit for an immediate automated score and results.
The quiz gives your score level right away. For moderate to severe results, it lists next steps: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, online courses, and driving instructors.
This page also has a manual version. Answer honestly based on the past 3–6 months, then total your score at the end. This is not a diagnosis. If you want more, check quizzes on The Quiz Tribe.
Driving Anxiety Quiz: Answer These 10 Questions First
This tool aids self-reflection and is not medical advice. Think of it as a quick pit stop, not a final exam.
| Question | Your answer (circle one) |
|---|---|
| 1. How anxious do you feel when you know you’ll have to drive soon? | Not at all (0) | A little (1) | Quite a bit (2) | A lot (3) |
| 2. How often do you get physical symptoms (heart racing, sweating, shaky hands, shortness of breath) while driving? | Not at all (0) | A little (1) | Quite a bit (2) | A lot (3) |
| 3. How often do you avoid highways, certain routes, or driving at night because of fear, not convenience? | Not at all (0) | A little (1) | Quite a bit (2) | A lot (3) |
| 4. Have you felt intense panic or had a full-blown panic attack while driving or even just riding in a car? | Not at all (0) | A little (1) | Quite a bit (2) | A lot (3) |
| 5. How much does your fear of driving get in the way of your daily life (work, errands, seeing friends)? | Not at all (0) | A little (1) | Quite a bit (2) | A lot (3) |
| 6. Do you also feel anxious when you’re a passenger in a car or using public transport? | Not at all (0) | A little (1) | Quite a bit (2) | A lot (3) |
| 7. How often do you worry about losing control of the car, crashing, or hurting someone? | Not at all (0) | A little (1) | Quite a bit (2) | A lot (3) |
| 8. How often do you ask someone else to drive or change your plans because you dread driving? | Not at all (0) | A little (1) | Quite a bit (2) | A lot (3) |
| 9. Has this fear been a problem for more or less than 6 months? | Less (1) | More (3) |
| 10. When you think about driving, how often do you think, “what if something awful happens?” | Not at all (0) | A little (1) | Quite a bit (2) | A lot (3) |
Add your scores (0–3, or as noted for Q9).
Driving Anxiety Quiz Scoring: What Your Result Means
Scores align with anxiety levels similar to the GAD-7.
| Total Score | Level of Driving Anxiety |
|---|---|
| 0–7 points | Minimal or situational |
| 8–15 points | Mild |
| 16–23 points | Moderate |
| 24–30 points | Severe (possible amaxophobia) |
0–7 Points: Minimal or Situational Driving Anxiety
You feel tense in traffic or rain but drive as needed. Use GPS, leave extra time, and try breathing exercises. Try more quizzes on The Quiz Tribe.
8–15 Points: Mild Driving Anxiety
Driving feels like a chore. Avoid rush hour when you can. Start with short drives on quiet roads. Use relaxation techniques and ride with a friend. See the NIMH anxiety screening and the CDC page on mental health care.
16–23 Points: Moderate Driving Anxiety
Dread hits most drives, and physical symptoms appear. You may avoid highways. Use self-help and see a professional. Check the APA on CBT for fears.
24–30 Points: Severe Driving Anxiety or Amaxophobia
Panic often rules, and you avoid most driving. It impacts life. See a mental health professional now, or check The Mental Health Coalition resources if this has lasted over 6 months. This quiz does not diagnose. If you have severe symptoms such as chest pain, seek emergency help.
Do These Symptoms Match Driving Anxiety? Common Signs to Notice
1. Physical Symptoms While Driving
- Pounding heart
- Sweating or clammy hands
- Shaky hands, legs, or voice
- Tight chest or shortness of breath
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Dry mouth
Check with a doctor for other causes.
2. Thoughts and Fears on the Road
- “I’ll crash.”
- “Panic will trap me.”
- “I’ll hurt someone.”
- “Others drive badly.”
3. Avoidance and Safety Behaviors
- Extra-long routes
- No rain driving
- White-knuckle grip
- Slow driving
- Mirror checking over and over
- Needing a passenger
Try anxiety quizzes on The Quiz Tribe.
What Triggers Driving Anxiety? 5 Common Causes
1. Past Accidents or Near-Misses
The brain links driving to danger and may spark PTSD symptoms. See NIMH on PTSD.
2. Pre-Existing Anxiety or Panic
Driving can feel like a trap.
3. Fear of Losing Control
Worries about blacking out or causing harm.
4. Inexperience or Life Changes
Being a new driver or moving to a new city.
5. Environmental Stressors
- Heavy traffic
- Bad weather
- Highways
- Bridges
- Unfamiliar roads
Log triggers with date, situation, and anxiety level (0–10).
How Serious Is My Driving Anxiety? Mild, Moderate, Severe
| Level | Real Life Impact |
|---|---|
| Mild (8–15) | Drives most places; skips the worst spots |
| Moderate (16–23) | Skips events; needs help for hard trips |
| Severe (24–30) | Stops driving and feels trapped |
Check Avoidance:
- Do you say no to plans due to the drive?
- Do you skip essentials?
- Has this lasted over 6 months?
It may be a phobia if extreme avoidance lasts 6 months or more.
What Helps Driving Anxiety? Evidence-Based Steps
1. Gradual Exposure
- Sit in a parked car for 5 minutes.
- Drive one block.
- Take a short, familiar route.
- Try busier times.
A small start is still a start. The parking lot counts.
2. Breathing: Box Breathing
Inhale 4 seconds, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4. See APA relaxation.
3. Mindfulness Grounding
Name five things you can see, four you can feel, and three you can hear.
4. Therapy Options
- CBT: Challenge unhelpful thoughts.
- Exposure therapy: Guided driving practice.
- VR simulators.
See NIMH anxiety treatments and NIMH shareable resources on anxiety disorders.
5. When to Get Help
- Symptoms last over 6 months
- Panic attacks
- Avoiding essentials
- Hopeless thoughts
Seek urgent care for chest pain or fainting.
How to Use This Quiz Over Time
Retake it in 4–6 weeks. Track wins like calmer drives or taking a new route. See quizzes on The Quiz Tribe.
Final Thoughts: Your Next Step
Minimal: Keep good habits.
Mild: Try self-help.
Moderate/Severe: Contact a therapist.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to tell if you have driving anxiety?
Fear before or during drives, physical symptoms, and avoidance that impacts life are common signs. Use the Renewal BH Driving Anxiety Quiz.
Does driving anxiety ever fully go away?
Yes, for many people with CBT, exposure, and practice. Others manage it well.
Can Zoloft help with driving anxiety?
It is an SSRI for anxiety and panic. It works best alongside therapy. Ask a doctor.
Is driving anxiety OCD?
No, but they can be related. OCD may involve checking compulsions. See a professional for diagnosis.