TruckinGeek is right. It helps to plan everything, and write everything down. I write everything down(pickup #, b/l, trailer #, etc) and I map everything out, and write down my route. It also helps to look at every sign, especially when you drive into a town and it helps to write down what town or what exit number you have to switch highways/interstates. I haven't been good about that honestly, but I think it's a good idea. I've only been out on my own for a few weeks now. I had a lot of fear and anxiety. sometimes it'd go away, and sometimes it'd get worse. With me it was mostly customers, and trying to get to them on time, and not just on time, but legally also. I think some of it had to do with loneliness also. I remember my first run, I delivered to two K-marts, but I couldn't make the second one on time because I had to take 10 hours off on my log book.
I remember when I went through training, my trainer gave me the qualcomm and told me to read everything, and he also wanted me to help him with directions, and I didn't understand one thing. And all those acronyms didn't help either. but later in time I understood all of it.
A few times I've been given screwed up directions. Once I had newspaper going to Castle Rock CO. Directions told me to Exit I think on Wilsonburger on I-25. I ended up exiting on Wilson(because I was already paranoid about the directions not being right). And I ended up back on I-25. I turned around, and found Wolfensberger, which took me to the right place. But if it had told me Wolfensberger in the first place, I wouldn't have had any trouble. One thing I'm bad about is not making calls and verifying the directions.
I also got lost a few times. Once I had to back into an intersection(At least it wasn't busy), I also ran into 2 dead ends. one of them I had to make a turn into a drive way, back up, and turn around.
Honestly, the driving doesn't bother me. I have a few scares once in a while, but I've managed to keep this big thing under control. I also haven't had many problems with tight turns. I did go over some curves, but it doesn't happen often. Usually I know to split the lane if I have to before turning. The only thing I'm afraid of is driving in winter. I haven't done that yet. But advice people give me is just slow down. don't use jake brakes, and use tire chains if needed, etc. So far all fear and anxiety went away. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one.