More than half (55%) of motorists are driving fewer miles than before the first lockdown in March, due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

34% of motorists say they are now driving significantly fewer miles compared to before the first lockdown

And 34% say they are now driving significantly fewer miles according to research by Direct Line Car Insurance.

Among motorists who have changed their driving habits, 40% said they are driving less because they currently can’t visit friends and family, while 30% said they don’t like going out as much now and 22% attributed it to not needing to go into work now.

During October, at the height of the tiered lockdown system, motorists stated they were driving 198 miles on average for the month; down some 70% on the average estimated mileage of 8,000 miles per year or 667 miles per month listed on insurance policy renewals.

Direct Line Car Insuranc is also warning that drivers may need to re-estimate their annual mileage based on the distance they are actually travelling. As part of Direct Line’s Mileage MoneyBack initiative, the insurer is providing both new and existing customers opting in with a refund on the miles they don’t drive. Customers will receive 2% of their premium back for every 1,000 miles they don’t drive, up to a maximum of 20% or 10,000 miles.