just_me, First off - welcome to HazzardNet! I know how frightening it can be to get your license, especially when someone you know dies in a car wreck. When I first got my learners permit someone in my high school died in a car accident and it was tough to get back in the car and start driving. But where I lived, I didn't have a choice, if I wanted to go anywhere I had to drive. The best advice I can give you is to take it slowly, if possible when you first start driving, stay more in the country, light traffic, don't go right into the middle of the city to start, if you can help it. It will probably be scary for the first few times, but it will be worth it. One thing that always helps me is to have the radio on low (most instructors will say not to, but I find that as long as you leave it on one station and don't get distracted by changing it, it helps you when you're nervous). Good luck! LS3