The vast majority of Hungarians have encountered a traffic situation where a driver was judged negatively because of their gender, according to a representative survey commissioned by drivingcamp Hungary. The study found that 28% of female drivers experience discrimination on a daily basis, while a third of drivers in the capital also consider this a regular occurrence. Additionally, 17% of the population believes that women are worse drivers than men. More than half of Hungarians would support a campaign against gender-based driving stereotypes.

The survey conducted by the drivingcamp driving center highlights that nearly one in five Hungarians (17%) perceives female drivers as less skilled than men. However, more than half of respondents disagree with this statement, while 29% remain neutral. Not surprisingly, the majority of women reject this stereotype, with 60% considering it completely unfounded.

A striking 86% of respondents have witnessed a driver being judged negatively based on their gender, while only 14% were unfamiliar with such situations. Although nearly two-thirds of respondents believe that gender-based discrimination in traffic is relatively rare, 28% of female drivers report experiencing it daily. In Budapest, one-third of drivers feel that gender-based judgment is a frequent phenomenon, likely due to the city's high-stress traffic environment.

Personal experiences strongly shape gender-based driving stereotypes

The most commonly cited reason for stereotypes about female drivers (45%) is cultural and societal traditions, a view more frequently expressed by those aged 60-69 and people with higher education. One-fifth of Hungarians believe personal experiences influence these biases, while 16% attribute them to media and social networks. Meanwhile, 13% think statistical data and facts support the notion that women have weaker driving skills. Only 7% believe that family upbringing plays a significant role in shaping these perceptions.

Many consider an awareness campaign a good idea

A majority of Hungarians (58%) support the idea of a campaign against gender-based driving stereotypes. This initiative is backed by 60% of women and 56% of men. Interestingly, the highest level of support comes from the 60-69 age group, with 68% in favor of such a campaign. However, nearly a quarter of the population believes that no such initiative is necessary, while 18% remain undecided.

"Women are excellent drivers, but social stereotypes often put them at a disadvantage. They prioritize safety, take fewer risks, and think through situations more thoroughly. That’s why it’s essential to boost their confidence through proper training, showing them that driving skills can be developed. By the end of these training sessions, they return to the road with greater confidence. Our goal is not to turn them into racers but to ensure that everyone—regardless of gender—drives more safely and consciously." - said László Csörgő, lead trainer at drivingcamp.

Good driving is not just about years of experience

The driving center also surveyed which driving skills people consider most important. Nearly half of Hungarians (48%) associate good driving primarily with adjusting speed and style according to traffic conditions, weather, and road circumstances. Men were more likely to choose this factor (52%) than women (45%). Quick reflexes ranked as the second most valuable skill, particularly among women, who rated it higher than men. The third most crucial factor was strict adherence to traffic rules. Only 9% of respondents believe that decades of driving experience alone make someone a good driver.

About drivingcamp Hungary and the study

Drivingcamp Hungary is one of Europe’s most advanced and modern driver training centers. Opened in 2012 in Zsámbék, just 24 km from Budapest, the facility spans over 220,000 square meters. It features seven high-tech modules where visitors can practice correct driving techniques in various traffic situations. With highly qualified, multilingual instructors, drivingcamp Hungary transforms driving into a learning experience.

The survey was conducted by drivingcamp Hungary in collaboration with Europion, a market research application, in February 2025. The study was based on a nationally representative sample of 1,131 individuals aged 16-69, considering factors such as age, gender, educational background, type of residence, and region.