While most kids started out with the lessons months before their 18th, so they could have their exam pretty much on their birthday, I let that birthday come and go, then signed up and slowly started going there. The first couple of driving lessons I was pretty nervous. I was also so nervous during my driving test that I made a major mistake and failed it. I was somewhat close to giving up at that point, but with all the money that had already gone into it, I repeated a month later and did well.

I wasn't as nervous anymore in the weeks after I got my license but I still remember that it was a big deal when my mum asked: why don't you take the car to school tomorrow instead of the train? And I was like: Wow, I suppose I should.

Even with two minor accidents happening in the first year and a half (one of which was my fault), somehow the fear was soon gone just by driving, driving, driving and noticing that it's simply an everyday thing to do like showering, eating or sleeping.

I imagine NY is not the easiest city in the world to drive in, but then again, as crowded as it certainly is, you can't drive fast enough to do really bad things, right?
Yes, the odds are more likely to have car accidents than plane crashes, but leave that to the people who are afraid of flying.

Just go out there, pass your second test and then drive. You'll see that you'll stop worrying and it'll become natural to you in a matter of weeks. Just don't take your test and then never drive. That will only make it worse.