Whether we’re nervous about driving in the dark, or don’t particularly enjoy parallel parking, there are certain scenarios that can be stressful for even the most experienced of motorists. Confidence while driving not only makes it more enjoyable but also keeps you calm and focused in challenging situations, ensuring the safety of yourself and other motorists on the road.
With this in mind, our team conducted a survey to uncover the scenarios and car maintenance tasks drivers feel the most and least confident with. Alongside some guidance on how to feel more in control while behind the wheel.
Which UK cities are home to the most confident drivers?
Rank | City | Percentage of Confident Drivers |
|---|---|---|
1 | Southampton | 88% |
=2 | Cardiff | 87% |
=2 | Plymouth | 87% |
=3 | Edinburgh | 85% |
=3 | Bristol | 85% |
4 | Manchester | 84% |
=5 | London | 83% |
=5 | Glasgow | 83% |
=5 | Belfast | 83% |
=5 | Norwich | 83% |
Across the UK, 82% of drivers say they are confident when on the roads, with Southampton having the highest proportion of confident drivers, where 88% of motorists in the city describe themselves in this way. This is closely followed by Cardiff and Plymouth, with 87% of residents in both cities agreeing they are calm and comfortable while driving.
According to the research, Nottingham is home to some of the least confident drivers from the study, with 11% admitting to feeling uneasy behind the wheel. This is over double the UK national average of 5%.
Interestingly, our survey has revealed that the type of car we drive can also affect our confidence. Those who drive petrol cars are the most comfortable on the roads, with 84% suggesting this to be the case, while those who drive an electric car are just under 10% less confident behind the wheel.
Which driving scenarios do Brits feel most or least confident in?
The scenarios in which UK drivers are the most confident in:
Rank | Scenario | Percentage of drivers who are confident with scenario |
|---|---|---|
1 | Roundabouts | 82% |
2 | Driving up/down hills | 81% |
3 | Following a GPS | 80% |
4 | Changing lanes on a motorway | 79% |
5 | Driving on the motorway | 78% |
6 | Driving on country lanes | 77% |
7 | Slip roads / merging onto a motorway | 76% |
=8 | Driving in the rain | 75% |
=8 | Parking on a hill | 75% |
9 | Navigating roadworks or diversions | 72% |
10 | Driving with my kids in the car | 70% |
When it comes to different on-road scenarios, drivers across the UK are most confident about roundabouts, with 82% of motorists saying they aren’t put off by these. This is followed by driving up or down hills (81%) and following a GPS (80%).
Lots of Brits are at ease on motorways too, where over three-quarters of drivers say they are confident about changing lanes (79%) and driving on the motorway (78%) in general.
However, this does differ across the generations. Those aged between 17 and 24 (15%) are almost three times more uncomfortable switching lanes on motorways than those aged over 55 (5%) and are twice as uneasy about simply driving on these kinds of roads.
The scenarios in which UK drivers are the least confident in:
Rank | Scenario | Percentage of drivers who are not confident with scenario |
|---|---|---|
1 | Driving abroad | 37% |
2 | Driving on ice | 35% |
3 | Driving in the snow | 31% |
4 | Driving after an accident | 27% |
5 | Driving in the fog | 24% |
6 | Driving in unfamiliar places | 20% |
7 | Having a 'backseat driver' | 17% |
=8 | Reading a traditional map | 16% |
=8 | Parallel parking | 16% |
9 | Driving in the dark | 15% |
=10 | Slip roads / merging onto a motorway | 10% |
=10 | Parking on a hill | 10% |
Over one-third (37%) of motorists say they aren’t confident driving whilst abroad, which perhaps isn’t surprising given that the rules, signs, and even sides of the road you drive on often vary from country to country.
Weather can also have a significant impact on confidence. Driving in ice (35%) and snow (31%) are the third and fourth scenarios in which motorists are the most uneasy, and just 67% of drivers say they are comfortable driving in the dark. No matter how experienced you are, it’s really important to take extra care when the weather is poor, particularly in the colder months when we are driving in winter weather conditions.
What are the car maintenance tasks drivers feel most and least comfortable doing?
The car maintenance tasks UK drivers are most confident about:
Rank | Maintenance Task | Percentage of drivers who are confident with task |
|---|---|---|
1 | Unfogging your windscreen when on the road | 78% |
2 | Checking the oil | 74% |
3 | Speaking with a mechanic | 70% |
4 | Checking/filling up coolant/antifreeze | 67% |
5 | Checking tyre tread depth | 65% |
Brits are most confident with the basics of car maintenance, like unfogging their windscreen (78%) and checking their oil (74%). Many are also fine with speaking to a mechanic (70%), which is sometimes perceived to be a difficult task.
Looking at seasonal tasks, just 67% of drivers are confident they know how to check or fill up their coolant or antifreeze, which is an important step in preparation for driving in cold weather.
The car maintenance tasks UK drivers are the least confident about:
Rank | Maintenance Task | Percentage of drivers who are confident with task |
|---|---|---|
=1 | Changing the oil | 38% |
=1 | Changing a tyre | 38% |
2 | Changing your headlights | 36% |
3 | Checking brake fluid levels | 30% |
4 | Jumpstarting your battery | 28% |
5 | Changing your windshield wipers | 24% |
Car confidence really starts to waver when it comes to the more technical roadside tasks. Nearly two-fifths (38%) of drivers aren’t comfortable changing their oil or tyres, and a further one in five (17%) Brits say they are uneasy about checking the tread depth of their tyres.
Even if you don’t feel poised to do your own car maintenance, your vehicle needs to be kept in good working order, to ensure you keep yourself and other road users safe. Driving a car that’s in a dangerous condition could earn you a £2,500 fine, three penalty points, or even a driving ban.
That being said, some things are better left to the professionals. If your car needs a little TLC, and you are doubtful about carrying out the task yourself, book it in with a mechanic.
Top tips on how to build your confidence as a driver
Julie Daniels, part of the motor insurance team, has pulled together her top tips on how you can build your confidence as a driver:
1. Prepare ahead of time
Planning your journey ahead of time should help ease stress while on the roads. Take a look at your route beforehand to minimise the risk of getting lost and try to avoid roads that might have a lot of traffic or congestion.
2. Practise driving in different conditions
Situations like driving in adverse weather conditions or at night can be challenging, but it’s important not to avoid them altogether. Exposing yourself to these situations little by little is good practice and will help you feel more confident over time.
3. Take some refresher driving lessons
There are various advanced driving courses you can take, such as motorway driving or lessons focused on how to drive at night. These courses are designed to help you become more confident behind the wheel and prepare you for different scenarios on the road.
4. Keep it slow
It’s always important to stick to the speed limit. If you’re not confident on the roads, keep it slow and steady so you’ll have more time to assess the road ahead, stay calm, and make informed decisions.
Methodology & Sources
The data used in this campaign is from a survey of 2014 drivers aged 17+ which took place in October 2023.
Julie is passionate about delivering a great customer experience and rewarding people for saving on their insurance through our loyalty and rewards programme. She’s spoken to the media, including outlets like Sky News, about car and home insurance, as well as our Meerkat rewards scheme.
Our content is written by a Compare the Market expert, backed by data and enhanced by AI. Find out how we ensure accuracy and quality in our Editorial Guidelines.
