# Sunday driver

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/sunday-driver
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

One who drives slowly or inexpertly, as for leisure or sightseeing.

## Examples

- Move faster, you are driving like a Sunday driver.
- A Sunday driver blocks the narrow street while looking for a parking spot.
- I was late for my appointment because I got stuck behind a Sunday driver on the highway.
- My grandfather is a total Sunday driver who spends more time looking at the trees than watching the road ahead of him.
- You should avoid the coastal road during the holidays because every Sunday driver in the city goes there to enjoy the view.
- The impatient commuters honked their horns, frustrated by the leisurely pace of the Sunday driver who seemed entirely oblivious to the growing queue of vehicles behind him.

## Origin

From Sunday and driver, first appearing in the early 20th century to describe the habit of using the motor car for leisure on one’s day of rest. The term identifies a specific class of motorist whose primary experience behind the wheel occurred on a Sunday, typically resulting in a pace and level of competence that other road users found inconvenient.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.