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AIBU?

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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:
Tirednotexpired · 14/09/2026 08:12

My husband hates the sat nav, doesn’t understand why I use it when he does a much better job. He’ll suddenly say, ‘You need to be in the middle lane, pull out NOW!’ And gets annoyed when I don’t because I can see an articulated lorry thundering down on us. Apparently the driver of said lorry won’t mind at all if I swerve in front of him at the last minute, as long as I’ve indicated. 🙄
’Red brake lights up ahead!’
‘Do you know it’s 40 along this road?’
‘What gear are you in?’
The list goes on.
His all time favourite criticism was that I drove with my foot permanently on the clutch (I didn’t) and I’ve advised him he needs to find something else to fixate on as my new car is an automatic. I have no doubt he will.

CelticSilver · 14/09/2026 11:58

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.

He had literally just passed his test (aged 50). I've been driving since I was 17. Of course the dynamic was that I was in 'instructor' role.

Gengha · 14/09/2026 12:04

I’m probably worse at this than my husband 😂

Chewbecca · 14/09/2026 12:04

I have shouted at DH to stop this in the past (& we never shout at one another). He wouldn't do it to his friends. How does he think I manage to identify a parking spot when he isn't there? It drives me mad. Generally my DH isn't a critical (of me) man at all so I don't know what comes over him in the passenger seat.

I think this is why some women lose their driving confidence as they age.

MagicUser1 · 14/09/2026 12:05

Tell him to stop. Firmly.

I find DH's driving extremely irritating because he is always in the wrong gear and he tends to take his foot on and off the accelerator and it's infuriating! And sometimes I can't help but coment. And he tells me to stop. Firmly. And much though that annoys me, he's not wrong.

In your case, x100. Either you are a competent driver in which case, even if he finds some of the things you do annoying, tough. Or you are not, in which case, he should not be driving with you.

Incidentally, on lon gdrives, I mostly drive. I can't bear to be in the passenger seat when DH is driving and it consistently adds at least 10-15% time to the drive because he has zero ability to a) maintain speed and b) he's not proactive so doesn't think ahead. This avoids me being irritated with him, and him being irritated with me being irritated with him.

Gengha · 14/09/2026 12:06

Mine does sometimes comment when I’m driving his car, it’s a manual and although I have a manual license I’ve driven automatic for 6 years now. So I get the odd comments on gear changes. Generally he buttons it as I don’t drink so I always drive back from places and if he doesn’t like it he can stay sober and drive

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