One in five UK drivers have experienced ‘Directional Dyslexia’ when driving

Key takeaways

• One in five UK drivers (23%), equivalent to more than 9.5 million motorists, say they experience left-right confusion or “directional dyslexia” when driving, according to new MoneySuperMarket research.

• The condition, while not a formal medical diagnosis, can increase driving risks, with 15% of affected drivers reporting involvement in a minor accident and many admitting to missed turns or delayed reactions.

• Experts say drivers don’t need to declare directional dyslexia to insurers, but should prepare routes in advance, rely on visual cues and stay calm to reduce the risk behind the wheel.

A new survey from car insurance expert MoneySuperMarket has found that one in five (23%) UK drivers say they have experienced left-right confusion or ‘directional dyslexia’, when driving – the equivalent of over 9.5 million motorists*.

What is directional dyslexia?

While not an official medical condition, directional dyslexia is a recognised term used to describe the confusion that many people experience when distinguishing left and right directions, especially when it comes to navigational awareness behind the wheel.

According to our research, of the drivers affected, 4% say confusing their left and right always happens to them behind the wheel, while 7% experience it often, and 12% say it happens only sometimes.

As reported by the BBC, directional dyslexia involves complex cognitive processes like spatial awareness and memory, and this is often triggered by stress, fatigue, or time pressure, all of which are common feelings when on the road.

The term has also sparked interest across various social media platforms, particularly TikTok, with videos on the topic amassing millions of views, a clear sign that many people are recognising and sharing their own experience of left-right confusion.

Why directional dyslexia can be a problem behind the wheel

While left-right confusion can seem like a minor inconvenience day-to-day, the risks increase significantly when driving a vehicle, as a split-second hesitation on the road or an incorrect manoeuvre can have serious consequences.

In fact, our research revealed that 15% of drivers have caused, or been involved, in a minor accident as a result of directional dyslexia.

As well, one in four drivers have gone the wrong way or missed a turn when driving as they have confused their left and right, with 28% of UK motorists saying they’ve taken longer than expected to respond to verbal directions due to this reason.

What’s more, one in four drivers have hesitated or delayed a manoeuvre because they were unsure of their left and right.

With over 9.5 million drivers in the UK saying they have experienced directional dyslexia, many use visual aids to help guide them when following navigation instructions. In fact, 33% of drivers said they rely on hand signals, landmarks or looking at the sat nav to distinguish left and right directions.

Alicia Hempsted
Insurance Expert

Directional dyslexia affects millions of drivers nationwide

When it comes to your car insurance, you don’t need to declare directional dyslexia as it doesn’t have a formal diagnosis, and won’t affect your premium or level of cover.

That said, safety still comes first, and if you know that you experience left-right confusion, it’s best to prepare before a journey.

Familiarise yourself with the route, set up your sat nav in advance, and if you have a passenger travelling with you, don’t be afraid to ask them for guidance when needed.

Most importantly, try to stay calm. If you’re behind the wheel and are unsure on which way to turn, the worst thing you can do is panic.

Slow down on your approach to any junctions or turns, and take a breath to centre yourself, rather than make a hasty decision.

^{*Data collected via a survey of 1,000 UK drivers (aged 18+) conducted by Censuswide, all data correct as of April 2026. 42,120,966 people currently possess a complete UK driving licence, according to data from the Driver and Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) - source: Driving.org}