Getting around a foreign country can be tricky with confusing public transport and road signs being the bane of every tourist’s trip. So, is driving a better solution then? Well, you’d certainly think so with up to 75% of people over 17 having a driving licence, but the data suggests otherwise!
We asked the motoring public what their thoughts are on driving abroad, whether it’s a better option or whether you should stick firmly to the left-hand side of the road!
Do Brits Drive Abroad?
What % of Brits have driven abroad?
We started by assessing whether Brits have previously chosen to drive in foreign countries. Our research shows that 53% of people have driven abroad, with just under half saying they never have.
There are plenty of reasons for and against driving abroad, that match quite succinctly with people’s reasons for not wanting to drive in the UK.
Are Brits planning on driving abroad this year?
Perhaps unsurprisingly, there aren’t many Brits planning to drive abroad this year, with only 18% answering with a definitive yes and 16% being unsure.
This suggests that despite over half of Brits saying they have driven abroad, it probably isn’t something someone would choose to do every time they go abroad, but instead something that they’d do if needs must.
Out of those who have already driven abroad, 49% won’t be doing so this year, jumping to 83% for those who have never driven abroad before. Of those who had never driven abroad before, 4% answered Yes and 13% answered Unsure, which could point to a lack of confidence seen in people’s reasons for not driving abroad previously.
Top 5 Reasons for Driving Abroad
Many people who had previously driven abroad, almost 60%, felt that driving abroad would enhance their holiday experience, allowing them to travel to places that public transport doesn’t reach, allowing for a more convenient holiday.
Others, within the same group, just prefer to be in control of their own travel, rather than leaning on an unfamiliar transport network which may result in lateness or becoming lost, this is especially important for those working (12%) or those going on a specific road trip (34%).
Top 5 Reasons for Not Driving Abroad
Out of those who hadn’t driven abroad, the main reason they cite for not wanting to drive abroad is nerves, with 51% of people giving it as their primary reason. Unfamiliar road signs/markings as well as a different driving culture can turn people completely off the idea of driving abroad, with 34% of people stating they’ve just never wanted to.
Others have never needed to drive abroad, choosing instead to book holidays that specifically don’t require a car, relying instead on public transport or private tours.
What are the Most Searched for Destinations for Driving Abroad?
Now that we know that over half of Brits have driven abroad, where are they actually going to?
Brits’ most searched countries for driving abroad
Well, judging by the search volume, most people are looking to try their hand at the streets of mainland Europe, with France way out in front, possibly because of the easy access for UK cars via the Eurotunnel.
From France, the UK’s drivers can expand across Europe to other popular search terms such as Italy, Spain and Switzerland.
Do Brits Prefer Driving in the UK or Abroad?
While the familiarity of the UK’s roads can offer comfort to some road users, for others it can be a huge cause of anxiety, making simple journeys stressful and worrisome, despite the generally high standard of driving in the UK compared to some parts of the world.
Top reasons for abroad vs UK driving preferences
It seems that the preference to drive abroad is closely linked to how safe the driver feels driving abroad. Over 67% of Brits surveyed who had driven abroad and in the UK said they preferred driving in the UK, and just 18% said they’d prefer to drive abroad. Despite being confident driving abroad, it seems that out of those that have driven abroad, they’d still much prefer to drive in the UK.
Do Brits think it’s safer to drive in the UK or abroad?
Similar stats can be seen in whether Brits feel safer driving abroad, with 16% of people saying they’d prefer to drive abroad, and 34% claiming there’s no difference between the safety of roads in the UK or abroad.
Of those that have driven abroad, a whopping 69% of them cited better road surfaces as their reason for why they prefer driving abroad. The primary reason people prefer to drive in the UK ultimately boils down to confidence levels with more than 7 in 10 drivers blaming their level of confidence and almost 2 in 5 saying that the rules of the road are clearer in the UK.
Brits Driving Abroad Habits
Would Brits driving abroad learn the local language and road signs?
Interestingly, those who did choose to drive abroad made an effort to learn the local language and road signs, either always (45%) or sometimes (48%), which may contribute to their overall confidence levels on the road. This could act as a valuable tip to those looking to drive abroad but lack the self-confidence to take the plunge.
Do Brits stick to the speed limit when driving abroad?
As well as the road signs, sticking to speed limits, regardless of what other road users are doing can help to feel safer and more confident, with 83% of participants stating that they always stuck to the speed limit, again demonstrating that sticking within the rules of the road can lead to an improved sense of confidence.
Car insurance policies for driving abroad
It’s also important to check your insurance policy to ensure that it covers the country(s) that you want to drive in. Exactly what’s covered when you’re driving abroad will be detailed in your policy documents.
If you’re driving your own car abroad, your insurance will cover you for third-party damage as standard.
If you’re planning to hire a rental car, the insurance is usually included in the price of the hire, but we’d recommend double-checking this with the provider.
It might be reassuring to hear that of those surveyed, 43% of Brits abroad had never experienced any sort of issues when driving abroad.
Top 5 issues encountered by Brits driving abroad
Even those who did experience issues, experienced issues that are quite common to encounter even when driving in the UK, with getting lost happening to 38% of Brits who have driven abroad.
Outside of getting lost, breaking down was reasonably common, happening to 13% of drivers, and the local police offered a slight inconvenience for drivers, pulling over 10% of drivers that answered our survey. 5% of respondents said they’d received a penalty ticket, but with no reasons given we’re left to speculate whether it’s a speeding fine, a parking ticket or something else.
Have Brits ever been unprepared in terms of documentation when driving to drive abroad?
Although most people (91%) have never been caught unprepared with their documentation, it’s probably best to learn from the 9% of respondents who were caught lacking the correct documentation to drive abroad, leading to unnecessary headaches on your holiday.
Mapped: Have UK Motorists Driven Abroad?
The North/South divide isn’t present throughout our survey results, with almost every region of the UK representing an almost even 50/50 split. The standout region is Northern Ireland, which is the only region of the UK which physically borders a different country, the Republic of Ireland.
Generational Results
Generationally, Gen X and Baby Boomers stand out as generations that are more likely to have driven abroad with 57% and 67% respectively reporting that they had driven abroad. Gen Z, Millennials and Silent Generation report a slightly lower rate of foreign driving with them reporting between 40% and 44%.
It’s clear from the data, broadly, or broken down into subcategories, that the country is very much split, almost perfectly down the middle. Of those who chose to drive abroad, confidence can be gained through learning the language and sticking to the rules of the road, however, it’s also clear that holidays can still be perfectly enjoyable without the use of a car as long as you prepare to use public transport or more local approach.
If you’re planning on driving abroad, make sure you do it with the help of Redex Fuel Additive to make your fuel go further. Redex works by breaking down harmful deposits that can reduce the fuel efficiency of your car and over time, affect the longevity of your engine.