According to the Federal Highway Administration, U.S. motorists drive an average of 14,263 miles per year, which is just short of 1,200 miles monthly—the equivalent of traveling from Oklahoma City to Los Angeles.
If you tend to travel solo, those nearly 14,000+ miles might be bliss if you listen to music or podcasts or sing at the top of your lungs as though no one’s listening. But commutes often involve one or more passengers, making things complicated.
Some Passengers Are Harder to Ride With Than Others
Some passengers are heavenly. They plant their rumps, buckle in, and don’t blab too much. Meanwhile, others do things that irritate drivers to no end.
When you’re a passenger, it pays to familiarize yourself with habits and behaviors that drivers don’t take kindly to. Some will let you know—point blank, period—if you do things they don’t appreciate. But others will suffer silently, biting their tongues and seething below the surface.
Passengers Come in Various Forms
Some people are passengers because they can’t or don’t want to drive, while others are passengers out of convenience. Take carpooling, for example. One source says 8.6% of U.S. workers carpooled in 2022 compared to 7.8% in 2021.
If you want to be a better passenger and avoid testing drivers’ patience, here are 14 passenger habits that drive motorists nuts.
Being a Backseat Driver
Drivers hate it when passengers second-guess everything they do. If motorists want turn-by-turn directions, they’ll use Google Maps, Waze, or another GPS navigation app. Motorists often get annoyed beyond measure when passengers offer unsolicited advice or provide less-than-constructive criticisms about their driving.
Touching Controls
Another thing passengers do that drivers dislike is touching the controls without permission. Reaching over to adjust the climate controls, radio station, or anything else is rude if you don’t get the go-ahead. If it’s your vehicle, your rules are law. Show other drivers that same respect.
Distracting the Driver
Distracted driving is a serious problem—and some of the biggest distractions for motorists are passengers. If you’re a passenger, avoid doing anything that takes the driver’s attention from the road. A few moments of distraction could cause more problems than you can imagine.
Eating Messy or Smelly Foods
Yet another passenger habit that motorists don’t like is tucking into food that makes a mess or leaves a lasting odor. If you’re carpooling, get up early enough to eat breakfast at home or wait until you reach the lunch room rather than eating in the car you’re a passenger in. Not everyone wants to smell your food and clean up after you.
Slamming Doors
Some people slam doors like their lives depend on it. It’s not always intentional. But it’s a habit that can drive motorists bonkers. Closing a door securely doesn’t have to mean summoning every ounce of human strength and slamming the door with determined intensity.
Leaving Trash Behind
Drivers hate it when passengers leave their junk behind. Whether pop cans, empty food containers, wrappers, or anything else, take your trash with you. Don’t leave it behind for someone else to deal with.
Taking Over Personal Space
Okay, this one gets drivers hot under the collar. Some passengers have an entitled mentality and regard drivers they travel with as unpaid Uber drivers. They might take over personal space by bringing too much stuff and placing things everywhere—taking up every nook and cranny—so others barely have room to move.
Hogging the Arm Rest
While some vehicles have armrests for the driver and the front-seat passenger, others have only one. If you’re a passenger traveling in a car with a single armrest in the front, leave it for the driver. The only exception is if the driver doesn’t use it or lets you use it.
Failing to Contribute Toward Gas
The average price of gas in the U.S. was—as of November 4—$3.12 per gallon. No matter how much or little drivers pay for gas in the U.S., they’ll want passengers to pitch in. They don’t always request money, but passengers know vehicles don’t run on water. If you frequently get rides but never offer to chip in, you probably should.
Criticizing the Driver’s Cleaning Skills
Some passengers have no filter. Motorists don’t appreciate when passengers make sarcastic remarks about the cleanliness of their cars. While it’s always nice to step into a vehicle that looks like it’s been recently detailed, the driver likely doesn’t need unsolicited feedback.
Using the Horn Out of Pocket
A passenger who is out of order might start to behave as though they are the co-driver. If there’s a problem on the road, the passenger might go so far as to lean into the horn. You can bet the driver won’t appreciate someone encroaching on their personal space and tooting the horn.
Forgetting to Wear a Seatbelt
Everyone knows that seatbelts play a crucial role in keeping occupants safe. All drivers should request their passengers buckle up. In an accident, people without seatbelts can get thrown out the window or into other passengers. Drivers who prioritize safety won’t be pleased if passengers refuse to buckle up even when prompted.
Blocking the Driver’s View
Blocking the driver’s view is a no-no. Don’t do anything that blocks the driver’s view of what’s in front or behind the vehicle.
Leaving Personal Belongings Behind
All passengers should know drivers don’t wish to enter the lost-and-found business. When you exit the car, take everything you brought with you. No one wants to be responsible for your stuff—let alone have to deliver it to your home.
Be a Good Passenger By Avoiding These Bad Habits
If you’re a passenger in someone’s car, avoid doing anything that unnecessarily rattles them. Passengers often do things that drivers find annoying. It’s best to recognize these irritating behaviors, own up to them if you’re guilty, and stop doing them before your next ride.
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