UK van drivers urged to protect themselves from UV risks

Key takeaways

• Van drivers are particularly vulnerable to UV damage because side windows can let in UVA rays and they often spend long hours on the road.

• Repeated sun exposure while driving can cause “van tan”, an uneven pattern of skin damage linked to premature ageing and increased skin cancer risk.

• Despite many drivers knowing UV rays penetrate glass, almost half do not use SPF, with experts recommending daily broad-spectrum SPF 50 and regular reapplication.

Why are van drivers more at risk of UV damage?

While most drivers are at risk of being overly exposed to UV rays while driving, van drivers in particular are susceptible. Not only because they spend more time driving compared to the average car driver, but also because of their vehicle's structure.

Vans typically have taller, wider windows, and during the summer, UV rays from the sun can penetrate through the glass, leaving van drivers with potentially damaging sun exposure.

We have partnered with Dr Ed Robinson, an award-winning non-surgical cosmetic doctor and founder of Dr Ed Robinson Aesthetics, to discuss how UV exposure can affect van drivers.

Dr Ed Robinson said: “Windscreens usually block most UVB and a large proportion of UVA because they’re laminated, but side windows are more prone to letting in UV rays.

“UVB is the wavelength most associated with sunburn, but UVA penetrates more deeply into the skin and is strongly linked with pigmentation, premature ageing, collagen breakdown and skin cancer risk. So, you may not burn through a closed side window, but your skin can still be accumulating UVA damage.”

What is ‘van tan’?

Van drivers can spend much of their working day with the right side of their body directly exposed to sunlight – particularly when driving with the window open in warm weather – putting them at risk of ‘white van tan’.

Dr Ed Robinson explains: “’Van tan’ is essentially chronic, uneven UV exposure. From a skin health perspective, it means one side of the body, often the right arm, right side of the face, neck and hand in UK drivers, is repeatedly exposed to sunlight day after day.

“It may look like a harmless occupational tan, but medically, it’s a red flag that the skin is receiving repeated ultraviolet injury.

"Over time, that can show up as pigmentation, rough texture, redness, broken capillaries, solar lentigines, actinic keratoses (rough, scaly patches or bumps on the skin) and accelerated collagen loss.”

And this problem may be more common than you think, as we surveyed 1,000 UK van drivers about their habits in warm weather, finding that 63% regularly drive with their windows down, putting them at risk of this kind of sun damage.

Alicia Hempsted
Insurance Expert

There's no escaping UV when you're strapped in the driver's seat

Van drivers are on the road for long stretches every day, often right through the hottest part of the afternoon, so unlike many workers, they can’t move away from the sun’s rays.

While skin damage doesn't happen overnight, years of driving with your windows down and your body in direct sunlight can take a real toll and increase your risk of permanent UV damage.

Before setting off, make sure to apply a high SPF, as while this is a small habit to get into, it can make a meaningful difference over the course of a career.

How much sunlight are van drivers typically exposed to in the summertime?

In the UK, those driving vans (under 3.5 tonnes) must follow domestic driving rules, so are restricted to a maximum of 10 hours of driving and 11 hours of on-duty time on any working day.

During the UK summertime, the UV index would typically be around five to six (medium to high), with a maximum of eight (very high) in some circumstances*, meaning van drivers working long hours on summer days could potentially be at risk of UV damage.

The importance of using SPF when driving

Our research also reveals that while 63% of van drivers are aware that UV rays can penetrate glass in their van, almost half (44%) don’t apply any SPF before driving. Damage from the sun is often visible but can build up and worsen over time.

Dr Ed Robinson suggests: “For someone spending hours behind the wheel on a daily basis, I’d recommend a broad-spectrum SPF 50 applied every morning to the face, neck, ears, hands and arms.

“You should reapply every two hours if the windows are down, if you’re sweating, if you’re getting in and out of the vehicle or if the arm is exposed directly to sunlight.

"A stick or spray SPF is useful for topping up the backs of the hands and arms, but it shouldn’t replace a proper morning application.”

What are the symptoms of UV damage?

To help van drivers understand the risks of UV damage when driving in hot weather, Dr Ed shares some of the key side effects and symptoms you should look out for, including:

• Newly developed moles

• Moles that change in size, shape or colour

• Lesions that bleed, crust or show no signs of healing

• Persistent rough or ‘scaly’ patches on the skin

• New pink or pearly bumps or areas of pigmentation that look irregular

He adds: “Anything changing, bleeding, non-healing or noticeably different from the surrounding skin should be checked by a medical professional.”

^{Sources
Survey conducted via Censuswide, consisting of 1,376 UK motorists aged 18+. Data collected between 19.06.2026 - 22.06.2026* BBC News}

^{About Dr Ed
Dr Ed Robinson is an award-winning non-surgical cosmetic doctor who focuses on producing natural-looking results. He runs clinics in Cheshire and London’s Harley Street and has treated a range of celebrities, including a range of reality TV stars. He is a GMC-registered doctor with over 8 years of medical experience and an associate member of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine.}