Are British drivers better than Americans?

Lessons learned from driving on both sides of the road

For my first ten years in the UK, I was at the mercy of trains and buses, juggling shopping bags through the rain and telling myself I didn’t really miss driving. But eventually the itch for freedom, and the lure of a proper road trip, became too strong. My US license had expired, so in 2021 I bit the bullet and took the driving test here to finally earn my UK license.

People love to argue about whether British or American drivers are better, but it’s more than just driving on opposite sides of the road: the real differences go much deeper. After years of dodging potholes in Glasgow and parallel parking in New York, I’ve seen both worlds and formed my own conclusion. Read on to learn more…

Learning to drive in the United Kingdom versus the United States

In the UK, you can apply for a provisional license at 15 years 9 months, but you can’t drive solo until 17. Driving instruction is big business here and lessons are pricey: around £41.40 per hour in Glasgow ($52), with the average 45 hours adding up to £1,757 ($2,215). Unscrupulous driving instructors are common, dragging out lessons for years while insisting you’re not ready for the test. Add in test fees and insurance, and getting licensed often costs over £2,000 ($2,500). According to the RAC, the cost is only going up.

Manual cars are far more common in the UK, and Europe in general, than in the US. (Historically, automatic engines were bulkier and didn’t suit smaller UK roads, but modern engines are compact and automatics are now far more common). In the UK, you can take a test for an automatic-only license or for a manual, which lets you drive both.

Meanwhile, learning to drive in the US is cheaper and more casual. Most people learn from parents or in high school. Some states let teens start at 14, and full licenses are often granted by 16. Americans get behind the wheel earlier, racking up miles before a Brit even books a lesson.

Since it was what I was used to, I opted to sit the automatic test for my UK license. Rather than paying for endless lessons, I rented a dual control car for £15 an hour and had a calm friend ride shotgun. Two lessons were enough to adjust to left-side driving and roundabouts, and I passed the test. Honestly, I don’t understand why more learners don’t do this instead of pouring money into endless lessons.

Driving habits in the United Kingdom

Everything from the roads to the cars to parking garages (aka ‘car parks’) and parking spaces are smaller in the UK, and you might have to perform some complex yoga moves to exit your car in a crowded garage. Yet, despite the cramped conditions, British drivers seem more conscientious about how they open their doors: car-door dings just don’t happen as often here.

I have covered some serious miles while living in the UK, including the 424-mile trek from Glasgow to the south coast. British roads took some getting used to. They are narrow and winding, and roundabouts terrified me at first but now I love them because they keep traffic moving (provided people know how to use them). And then there are the one-track country roads: beautiful scenery, sheep in the fields, and you sweating bullets while a Land Rover barrels toward you. Yes, there are pull-over spots, but sometimes that means reversing 400 feet in panic.

Most importantly, British drivers are more courteous than their American counterparts. They slow down, flash their lights, and wave you in when you are merging. Their lane discipline is sharper too: fewer sudden weaves, more consistent signaling. The only exception? Birmingham. Drivers there are wankers.

Driving habits in the United States

I did not get my license until I was 22, which is late by American standards. By then, most of my friends had been driving for years. Americans average about 14,263 miles a year, nearly double the UK figure. Brits groan at a two-hour drive; Americans consider that a quick errand.

That mileage builds confidence, and in urban areas, skills. I learned to parallel park in New York City, where fitting into a space the size of a postage stamp is a survival skill. But confidence does not always equal good habits. Highway merging can feel like a contact sport, tailgating is common, and lane discipline is often optional. Wide, straight roads give drivers space, but they don’t demand the precision you need on wet, twisting Scottish country lanes.

Safety snapshot: who handles risk better

One big cultural difference is the attitude toward drinking and driving. In the US, a pint or two before driving is often tolerated, whereas in the UK it is heavily frowned upon (except maybe in rural areas, with no bus home from the pub). Police may be less visible on the roads in the UK, but socially, showing up tipsy behind the wheel will make you public enemy number one.

The stats back it up. In 2012, the US had 3.552 drunk driving deaths per 100,000 registered vehicles, compared to the UK’s 0.296 — twelve times higher (NHTSA). In 2022, the UK recorded about 300 drunk driving deaths, or 18 percent of all road fatalities. In the US, alcohol-related crashes made up 28 percent, totaling around 10,497 deaths.

Overall, traffic safety is better in the UK. The US has higher fatality rates per mile driven and ranks lower among wealthy nations for child road safety. If we are judging safety alone, British drivers win, hands-down.

United Kingdom versus United States insurance costs

Insurance tells a similar story. In the UK, the average annual premium is about £757 ($950). In the US, average full coverage is about $1,390 (£1,771). Lower costs in Britain suggest fewer accidents and reduced risk overall.

Conclusion: so, who is the better driver?

Both sides have strengths. Americans start younger, drive more miles, and city drivers are ace at parallel parking. But after thousands of miles across the UK, my verdict is clear: British drivers are better.

They are more courteous. They are more disciplined. They handle rain-slick roads, tiny garages, and single-lane tracks without losing their cool. (Maybe all of those hours of driving lessons are part of the reason!) Starting later and training under stricter conditions means Brits often bring more maturity to the road. Insurance rates and drunk-driving stats back this up.

So while Americans may clock more hours, it is the Brits who show more skill, safety, and manners behind the wheel.

What’s your verdict? Have you driven in both the UK and the US? Drop a comment and share your stories. And if you are planning to drive abroad, keep an eye out for my upcoming guide on car rentals, insurance tips, and how to survive your first roundabout.