Millions of motorists dread driving on the motorway, lorries and mini roundabouts while the pandemic has made some drivers rusty

Millions of motorists dread driving on the motorway, travelling in the dark and encountering lorries on the road, according to a new study.

One in 10 drivers dislikes or hates driving, with having to change lanes, reversing around a corner, and country roads also making them feel uncomfortable.

Some 2,000 motorists were quizzed about their driving preferences. Nearly a quarter feel less confident now than before the pandemic as a result of driving less over the last 18 months with 16 per cent going as far as to say they have ‘forgotten’ how to drive.

Driving in snowy conditions (42 per cent) is most likely to make drivers nervous, followed by navigating a new town or city (32 per cent) and roads with lots of lanes (30 per cent).

Driving in the dark (27 per cent) and wet and rainy conditions (25 per cent) completed the top five most uncomfortable scenarios on the road.

Nearly one in 10 even admitted to being nervous when it comes to turning right at a roundabout while one in 20 fear three-point turns.

The stats emerged in a study by flexible car insurance firm Cuvva. Cuvva CEO Freddy Macnamara said: “Our research reveals there are many nervous drivers across the UK, with Londoners and those from Norwich indexing most highly."

The study also found 29 per cent of drivers try to avoid travelling outside of their local area to stay away from unfamiliar roads while a quarter are reluctant to give other people lifts - even if they are going to the same destination - due to their nerves.

Nearly one in five would take a longer route to avoid busy areas (18 per cent) while 16 per cent would go further than needed to stay away from motorways.

As the nation prepares for a summer of staycations, almost a fifth of drivers are also nervous about the prospect of long-distance journeys with 21 per cent even planning their break around the length of the drive.

But the study found 36 per cent think their driving has generally worsened over the last 18 months as they have spent less time on the road. And even 22 per cent, who considered themselves to be confident drivers before the pandemic, now feel a little rusty behind the wheel.

As a result, 15 per cent think it took them ‘weeks’ to get back up to speed once they started driving again following the lockdowns.

The study, carried out via OnePoll, also revealed 38 per cent wish they were a more confident driver.

Top 25 things drivers feel most uncomfortable doing:

1. Driving in snowy conditions;
2. Driving in a new town or city;
3. Roads where there are lots of lanes and you need to be in the right one;
4. Driving in the dark;
5. Driving in wet and rainy conditions;
6. Lorries;
7. Overtaking cyclists;
8. Areas where there is lots of traffic;
9. Motorways;
10. Parallel parking;
11. Reverse parking;
12. Areas where there are lots of children (e.g. near schools);
13. Country roads;
14. Roundabouts generally;
15. Areas where there are lots of pedestrians;
16. Changing lanes;
17. Buses;
18. Turning into a road on the right, and having to cross the traffic;
19. Reversing around a corner;
20. Learner drivers;
21. Giving someone else a lift;
22. Having to turn right at a roundabout;
23. Mini roundabouts;
24. Dual carriageways;
25. Having to do a three-point turn.