Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Does anyone else's partner criticise their driving?

31 replies

Bzzzzzz · 13/09/2026 22:51

I've never had any accidents, points etc. No insurance claims, I can't be that bad hopefully, he hasn't been driving for that much longer than me so not like he's got loads of experience either in comparison.

We take it in turns (and have our own cars so it's not like he's worried about me damaging his) but if I'm reversing or parking he'll say 'woah watch that!' About other cars or bollards, yet I've never hit anything ever.

He's tried to tell me how to improve my steering, when there's oncoming traffic on narrow roads he'll say 'watch out for these', he isn't nasty just acts a bit like a driving instructor, he questioned how quickly I was turning off a signal on a roundabout , stuff like that.

I tried to not take it personally and tell myself he's just trying to help, even though I never asked for any advice. Not sure if I'm being too sensitive? I always feel watched now, I'm not saying I'm an absolutely perfect driver but I think I'm safe and competent, he's acting like I'm a learner.

OP posts:
KitDeLuca · 13/09/2026 23:32

Arrgh I hear you. My DH is like this, probably worse. My response - if he can’t button it, he drives. I drive my own car but if we travel together he has to drive because he simply cannot resist backseat driving when I’m behind the wheel.

user1492809438 · 13/09/2026 23:35

Long term sufferer with an otherwise darling husband. Tell him to shut up or walk.

KitDeLuca · 13/09/2026 23:37

Agree with @user1492809438 it won’t be your driving. It’s a him problem.

RuffledKestrel · 13/09/2026 23:39

Tell him to stop it. If he doesn't, then he does the driving next time you are both going out.
It's absolutely annoying and no help to anyone.

smallglassbottle · 13/09/2026 23:54

Yes, mine does it. I'm a better driver than he is and he always likes me to drive, but yet he prattles on about watch this or watch that. It's really irritating. I tell him to shut up or walk and he generally goes in the huff or pipes down. He actually distracts me more by interfering than if he just let me get on with it. I think he's a neurotic passenger tbh. His driving is adequate, but he drives like a bus driver, all jerky. I ended up feeling sick with abdo pain last week due to the way he was driving.

bengalcat · 14/09/2026 00:02

put him in the boot ( only joking )

CillianMurphyhasbeautifuleyes · 14/09/2026 00:04

I just stop the car and say, you drive.

oviraptor21 · 14/09/2026 00:07

KitDeLuca · 13/09/2026 23:32

Arrgh I hear you. My DH is like this, probably worse. My response - if he can’t button it, he drives. I drive my own car but if we travel together he has to drive because he simply cannot resist backseat driving when I’m behind the wheel.

Or if he can't button up he walks. I like driving and would prefer to drive than be driven.

Dazzlemered · 14/09/2026 00:11

I do this all the time to DH. He is an excellent driver and has been for over 35 years. I’m very annoying. He’s starting to do it back to me now. I’ve only been driving 5 years.

Original poster
Bzzzzzz · 14/09/2026 06:34

Dazzlemered · 14/09/2026 00:11

I do this all the time to DH. He is an excellent driver and has been for over 35 years. I’m very annoying. He’s starting to do it back to me now. I’ve only been driving 5 years.

Why do you do it?

OP posts:
TruffleSlinky · 14/09/2026 06:36

Have you told him to stop?

Treacletreacle · 14/09/2026 06:40

I just play loud music and ignore him. I do often wonder if he makes comments to his male friends or its just my parking etc.

Iloveeverycat · 14/09/2026 06:46

Because of this I don't drive mine anywhere. He always drives because I refuse to and he knows why.

GuavaBanana · 14/09/2026 06:50

Dh does this and therefore unless he is tired enough to go straight to sleep, I require him to do the driving . . .

TheKindnessProject · 14/09/2026 07:11

Does my partner complain about my driving? Not since I ran him over. Not heard a peep out of him since.

Lottapianos · 14/09/2026 07:14

Iloveeverycat · 14/09/2026 06:46

Because of this I don't drive mine anywhere. He always drives because I refuse to and he knows why.

Same here. Cannot cope with his panicky comments, they're just too distracting and annoying. I'm a perfectly safe and competent driver but he makes me feel like I'm having a driving lesson. So I refuse to drive with him in the car

CelticSilver · 14/09/2026 07:31

I do this with my husband. I've been driving for 30 years longer than he has and I'm a terrible passenger. I'll try and keep my thoughts to myself more after reading this thread!

fuckeditupbadly · 14/09/2026 07:35

@CelticSilver did you really not think it would be annoying? My dp and I are both very good drivers but very different. He knows I dont like some if his technique and actually modifies it when I'm in the car. We both consciously dont comment.

Lemonyyy · 14/09/2026 07:40

Not my partner but t my dad was/is awful for this. I won't drive him anymore but he is really nit picky with my mum and it's so unnecessary, especially as he frequently wants other people to drive so he can sink a large quantity of booze.

Tell him to shut up or walk op, it doesn't get better!

rwalker · 14/09/2026 07:43

My wife does it all the time and ironically she’s a terrible driver ( confirmed by our adult kids and her mum)
but she does it with everyone to the point our eldest stopped his car and told her to shut up or get out

I think she more a nervous passenger than a twat

but it’s a win for me as I hardly drive anywhere now and just tell her to crack on

UniquePinkSwan · 14/09/2026 07:50

Yes but i criticise his as well. When I didn’t drive he said you can’t say anything until you have passed your test so that’s what I did.

jeffsaward · 14/09/2026 08:07

It’s a really weird thing to do to someone you are supposed to love. You are meant to be on the same side. He sounds like a bit of a bully, does his criticism extend to other areas or is he weirdly just turning against you in the car?

Imightbeinthewronghere · 14/09/2026 08:09

Pull over, look at him, tell him to shut the fuck up or walk!

He wouldn't do this with a male driver, he is doing it because he can, you have a choice on how you deal with it.

LarryForPrimeMinister · 14/09/2026 08:10

Nope. He tried it once while I was trying to park in a tight spot and I told him he get in the driver seat and park it if he could do better. He went quiet and hasn't done it since. Grin

LarryForPrimeMinister · 14/09/2026 08:11

TheKindnessProject · 14/09/2026 07:11

Does my partner complain about my driving? Not since I ran him over. Not heard a peep out of him since.

🤣🤣

Swipe left for the next trending thread