Drivers share the most frustrating things passengers do - read the full listA study of 2,000 drivers has revealed the top 20 car passenger pet peeves, which include throwing wrappers around

and fiddling with the radioCommentsCars Richard Jenkins11:18, 04 Jun 2025Seven in ten men think they’re a good passenger, despite women disagreeing Complaining, blocking the mirrors and

reaching for an invisible brake are among the most frustrating car passenger behaviours. A study of 2,000 drivers revealed throwing wrappers around the car and fiddling with the radio were

other top 20 pet peeves when driving people from A to B.

‌Tempcover has launched a ‘Passenger Prince’ online theory test(Image: PinPep)‌ The research suggests that 17% of women find their other halves to be pesky passengers, possibly because six

out of ten blokes tend to hog the driving duties in relationships, with 45% convinced they're the better driver.

One in five men reckon driving is part of their domestic 'chore split', however, almost half admit they like to be in control and a further 15% don't like their partner being behind the

wheel.

Marc Pell, managing director for Tempcover, a temporary insurance provider which commissioned the research said: "There's never been formal guidance on how to be a good passenger, and that

can lead to real tension, especially between couples."

Article continues below PSM Driving School is now taking the wheel in a different direction with the launch of the world's first Passenger lessons. "We're hoping some passenger lessons will

help people rethink their passenger habits and improve the in-car dynamic," said Mark.

The school's research indicates that in many couples, men tend to dominate the driving, but these new lessons aim to switch things up. Mark said: "this is a way to flip the usual driving

roles - letting a partner take the wheel so they can learn to be a princely co-pilot, letting go and discovering the joy of being chauffeured."

Other passenger frustrations revealed by the poll included having loud phone conversations (31%) and being inaccurate with directions (25%). A quarter have to bite their tongue when

passengers actively touch the steering wheel, or other car parts.

‌ Two-thirds of women reckon backseat drivers are a right pain, and the survey showed that a rubbish passenger can leave 42% of women feeling tense, with 19% getting anxious about driving

again.

Paul Middleton, owner and driving instructor at PSM Driving School, said: "Poor passenger etiquette can really knock a driver's confidence - especially in relationships."

He continued: "From backseat driving to constant complaints, it's often the little habits that make journeys more stressful than they need to be.

Article continues below "We're excited to offer lessons from our professional driving instructors, helping people unlearn unhelpful behaviours and become passengers who support, not stress

out the person behind the wheel."

TOP 20 ANNOYING PASSENGER HABITS:Making a messThrowing food wrappers on the floorComplaining about the drivingShouting out warnings to the driverPutting feet on the dashboardBlocking the

mirrorsTelling the driver to go faster or slowerEating crumbly, loud or smelly food without my permissionScreaming/ gasping if they think the driver is late braking / hasn’t seen

somethingChanging the song/ radio station without askingChanging the volume of the radio without askingTalking on the phone loudlyWatching loud videos on their phoneAdjusting the temperature

in the car without askingGetting directions wrongTouching steering wheel/other car partsTalking about what they would have done differentlyStepping on the invisible brake on their side of

the carOpening/closing the windowClutching onto their seatbelt/ seat/ handle with their eyes closed