What does it mean when you dream that you are driving a car and the brakes don’t work?

- Jennifer, Age 18, Richmond, VA, USA

Hi Jennifer -

Cars in dreams almost always are symbols of ourselves, and the direction we are headed in our lives. If you dream that your brakes don’t work, it usually means there is an area of your life that you feel is “out of control.”

If you can remember more details about your dream, it will help you to identify the area you are having trouble with. For example, if the car is a car that you drive every day, then the dream suggests you are experiencing difficulty in your personal life. You may be having difficulty controlling some of your personal habits - drugs, alcohol, relationships - and feel that you “can’t stop.” If the car was an old “family car” that you remember from growing up, this suggests that you feel out of control with some of your family relations. If the car belongs to a friend or friends of yours - the dream may indicate that you feel uncertain or unsure of yourself when you are around these people. If someone else is a passenger in the car with you, then you may feel that this person is leading you down a bad path - and you feel you can’t stop.

“No Brakes!” is one of the most important of all “warning” dreams. Once you figure out what this dream is about, make a conscious effort to get better control of your emotions - in whatever specific situation is indicated. If you don’t - your emotions will continue to control you - like a car without brakes!

Good Luck!