Drivers reveal most irritating things passengers can do – and it's not 'are we there yet?' - Daily Star

Drivers reveal most irritating things passengers can do – and it's not 'are we there yet?'Every driver knows the pain of an annoying passenger but the cliches aren't always right. 'Are we

there yet?' isn't the most irritating think they can utter, according to a new surveyCommentsNewsIsobel Dickinson14:31, 04 Jun 2025A bad passenger can really get you down(Image: Getty

Images/iStockphoto) Back seat driving, making a mess and slamming on the “invisible brake” are some of the most frustrating passenger behaviours.

Other things that annoy motorists include throwing wrappers around the car, fiddling with the radio and putting feet on the dashboard.

‌ A study of 2,000 drivers also revealed playing loud videos and shouting warnings when cars pull out were also in the top 20 pet peeves when ferrying people around.

‌ And around 17% of women said their partner was an annoying passenger and “backseat driver”, despite 69% of men claiming they’re a good one.

As a result, 43% of couples admitted their car trips regularly end in arguments, with 19% not speaking for a period of time.

Backseat drivers and messy passengers earn particular scorn(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)Article continues below Temporary insurance provider Tempcover, who carried out the research, have

now launched the world’s first Passenger lessons from PSM Driving School.

Marc Pell, managing director, said: “There’s never been formal guidance on how to be a good passenger, and that can lead to real tension, especially between couples.

“But we’re hoping some passenger lessons will help people rethink their passenger habits and improve the in-car dynamic.

‌ “Our research shows that in many relationships, men do most of the driving but 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.”

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

“From backseat driving to constant complaints, it’s often the little habits that make journeys more stressful than they need to be.

‌ “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.”

Most annoying passenger habits 1. Making a mess

2. Throwing food wrappers on the floor

‌ 3. Complaining about the driving

4. Shouting out warnings to the driver

5. Putting feet on the dashboard

‌ 6. Blocking the mirrors

7. Telling the driver to go faster or slower

8. Eating crumbly, loud or smelly food without my permission

‌ 9. Screaming/ gasping if they think the driver is late braking / hasn’t seen something

10. Changing the song/ radio station without asking

11. Changing the volume of the radio without asking

‌ 12. Talking on the phone loudly

13. Watching loud videos on their phone

14. Adjusting the temperature in the car without asking

‌ 15. Getting directions wrong

16. Touching steering wheel/other car parts

17. Talking about what they would have done differently

Article continues below 18. Stepping on the invisible brake on their side of the car

19. Opening/closing the window

20. Clutching onto their seatbelt/ seat/ handle with their eyes closed