Driving can be a scary thing. You have the power of a 2-ton vehicle in the palms of your hands (driving at 10 and 2). So when reality is warped, when you’re in a dream state, it can be even more terrifying. Gravity isn’t a thing sometimes. Freeways have roller coaster loops in them. Cars fit inside apartments. 

But the big question is what does this mean? Spoiler alert: Your subconscious is trying to tell you something, and not that you should buy a new car. 

In this article, we’re going to put this car in drive and race to find out why you were in a dream car accident, or drove a dream blue car or lost your dream car. To do so, we've consulted with some of the foremost dream analysis experts and dug into their research and findings on cars in dreams.

Dreaming You Were in a Car Accident

If you woke up in a panic, unsure of what jolted you awake, waiting for your brain to catch up with your panting breath until you realize you were just in a car accident… in your dream… you’ve come to the right place. Dreams of car accidents might be urging you to slow down before you hit disaster, or telling you that you’re, er, driving yourself too hard. You need to rethink, or re-plan your course of action and set yourself on a better path [1]. This could also represent your straightforward fears of being involved in an actual, physical accident. Are you nervous about getting behind the wheel in your waking life?

Dreaming You Were the Passenger in a Car Crash

If someone else gets in a car crash in your dream, and you’re the passenger, it means that you feel like your life has gotten out of control. You may feel like someone else is forcing you to make decisions you don’t want to make, that you don’t feel in control of something you should be in control of [2]. From here, you should realize that your life is your own, and that if you allow someone else to steer your path, that’s a decision you’re actively making. Only you can decide what is best for you. Consider forging a new path. 

Dreaming You Hit Someone 

If you hit someone in your dream, your subconscious may have been commenting on the way you’re living your life. Are you in danger of losing control, coming to the end of the road, or have you set yourself on a collision course because of your life in the fast lane? 

If that’s the case, pay attention to who you hit in the dream, and who was directly affected by the accident. 

For men, driving cars tens to relate to sex, so it could be a warning of sorts. Perhaps you are being careless or too casual when it comes to protecting yourself.

Dreaming That You Got Lost Driving

If you recently dreamt that you got lost on the road, it means you may have concerns about the direction in which your life is going. Are you worried that you don’t have a plan for the future? Or is your future uncertain?

Dreams Where Your Car Won’t Start

If your car is stalling or won’t start, this could be a warning signal to pay greater attention to the care and maintenance of yourself and the things around you.

Dreams of Simply Driving

Sometimes dreams don’t have crazy car crashes. Sometimes you’re just driving. But that car in your dream still has significance. If all you’re doing in your dream is driving, it’s a sign that you’re anticipating a change in destiny [3]. Your subconscious is alerting you of your own motivation, and driving the car indicates your need to achieve a goal.

If all you’re doing is driving, but you’re with your crush, lover, or partner, this means that your passions must be controlled in your waking life.

Dreaming of Going on a Trip

Driving in dreams often mirrors your waking life. It shows you how you move through life, how you get from Point A to Point B. Think about how the trip went in your dream. Was it smooth and fun? Turbulent and argumentative? That is how you feel your life is going right now.

Dreams about Different Colored Cars

Dreams about a black car 

Black cars bring an air of secrecy to the dream. This means that messages are direct, but they are also discreet. It also means that whatever the driver of the car and the dreamer share must stay between them. 

Dreams about a red car 

Red cars means emergency, or passion and sometimes aggression. 

Dreams about a blue car

Blue is the color of communication. Through our voice, we communicate with others, but it is through the color blue that we communicate with the environment. 

Dreams about getting shot at in a car

If you’re in a car and being shot at, then it shows you’re moving through a situation that could be a really close call with someone or something with whom/which you’re in a conflict. Depending on if you get away determines the outcome or projected outcome in real life. It's a narrow escape. Or, if you’re in a parked car and shooting at a target who can’t see you, this indicates your need to confront someone or something. This is more of an emotional release dream to release frustration over a situation you’re conflicted by. Much like your life, cars can move forward, stall out, go in reverse or just idle. When something as threatening as a shooting is added to the car aspect of a dream, take this as a sign to face the conflict that’s been looming over 

Buying Guide

• Therapy might not be the answer to all of life’s problems — but it might just be the answer to most of the dream-related ones. With BetterHelp, you get therapy in an app. You’ll be matched with one of the 22,000 licensed, board-accredited counselors for live therapy sessions at times that work for you. They may not be dream experts, but they’re trained to help with solving issues brought up by your dreams.

• If you’re having trouble getting out of your head, especially when it comes to analyzing last night’s dreams, check out Headspace. It’s a meditation app that teaches you life-changing mindfulness skills in as few as three minutes every day. With Headspace, you can develop skills necessary to combat anxiety and stress. 

• The best way to keep track of your dreams is by using a dream journal. Magic of I sells a pocket-sized leather dream journal to help make the personal symbols in your nightly adventures conscious.

• The time you take to acquaint yourself with sleep before bed is super important. Hatch has created a Smart Sleep Assistant that acts as a sound machine, sunrise alarm, smart light and meditation app all in one. Get in control of your night’s sleep with this product.

• Fall asleep faster and easier with the Verishop Calming Sleep Patch. These patches fight insomnia, support stress relief and improve the overall quality of sleep. Don’t let another subconscious shooting stop you from sleeping well.