Passenger Princes: 7 in 10 men think they're a good passenger, but women disagree

• Making a mess, complaining about the driving, and eating smelly food are amongst the most frustrating passenger behaviours, reveals new research
• Bad passengers leave nearly half of women feeling on edge when driving, and a fifth anxious to get behind the wheel 
• This causes tension in relationships with 42% saying car trips with their partner regularly end in arguments, leading to a fifth of these couples to stop speaking to each other 

To help improve backseat behaviour, Tempcover has launched the world’s first ‘Passenger Prince’ theory test and real life passenger lessons from PSM Driving School.

With drivers set to take an average of three road trips each this summer, the most frustrating passenger behaviours have been revealed with more than half of drivers (56%) admitting badly behaved passengers really grind their gears - according to a new study of 2,000 drivers by temporary car insurance provider Tempcover. 

Some of the biggest crimes passengers commit include making a mess (43%) and complaining about the driving (39%), not to mention putting feet on the dashboard (34%) or eating smelly, loud or crumbly foods (33%)*. 

Battle of the sexes: who’s the worst passenger? 

The research unveiled a major difference of opinion amongst couples when it comes to good car etiquette. Nearly a fifth (17%) of women think their partner is an annoying passenger and a 'backseat driver', despite seven in ten men thinking they’re a good one (69%).

In fact, backseat driving behaviour has resulted in 42% of women feeling on edge when driving, and for a fifth (19%), a bad passenger gives them anxiety about getting behind the wheel again. Furthermore, two thirds (63%) of women find backseat drivers patronising. This is causing tension in relationships, with nearly half of drivers (42%) saying that car trips with their partner regularly end in arguments, leading to a fifth (19%) of these couples to stop speaking to each other for a long time. 

In a nod to the Passenger Princess TikTok trend that went viral, and to support men (or anyone who backseat drives) become better passengers, Tempcover has launched the world’s first ‘Passenger Prince’ theory test to help people identify the problematic passenger traits they might not realise they display. 

Men aren’t giving women a chance to drive 

The research also suggests that men may not have had as much opportunity to be the passenger, with men saying they do nearly 60% of the driving in a relationship. Two thirds (62%) of men prefer taking the driver’s seat over their partner as 45% of them think they’re a better driver, while 42% like to be in control of the car. 

For some men, they prefer to be behind the wheel as they don’t like their partner’s driving (15%) or simply don’t trust them behind the wheel (14%). On the other hand, a fifth of men (20%) do the driving as part of their agreed upon ‘chore split’ in their relationship.  

However, men’s priorities change when a visit to the pub is involved, as a third (32%) of men admit they’re happy for their partner to be the designated driver when they want to have an alcoholic drink. 

Learning to be a Passenger Prince 

In addition to the online ‘Passenger Prince’ theory test, Tempcover is now taking bookings for in-real life passenger lessons from award-winning PSM Driving School. The practical lessons, available in locations including Manchester, Glasgow and Wembley, will be led by a qualified driving instructor who will examine passengers' behaviour with their partner driving through real-life driving scenarios, and teaching them how to be better in the passenger seat.

The lessons aim to help passengers adopt behaviours that were ranked as ‘good passenger traits’ in the research, including not telling the driver what to do (49%), taking all rubbish and belongings with them (46%), and asking before changing the music (40%). 

Commenting on the findings, Marc Pell, Managing Director at temporary insurance provider Tempcover said: "There’s never been formal guidance on how to be a good passenger, and that can lead to real tension, especially between couples. That’s why we’ve launched the Passenger Prince online theory test - to 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 anyone who takes the theory test will get a 50% discount on the Tempcover fee*, so they can flip the usual driving roles - letting their partner take the wheel temporarily so they can 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. That’s why 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.”