When you think of How's My Driving?, chances are the first image that comes to mind is the familiar yellow and black sticker proudly displayed on the back of a vehicle.

 

 

But here's the thing: it was never just about the sticker. Behind that small sign is a nationwide network of support, education, and recognition that has quietly helped shape safer roads and better driving habits for the last 30 years. And the best part? It's as much about the drivers as it is about the data.

 

 

"I wasn’t sure about having a badge on my van at first," said one driver. "But someone rang in with a compliment for me once, which was nice. Although I think I’m a good driver, if I’m honest, it does make me more aware of the way I drive and handle situations on the road."

 

That moment of reflection is what HMD is all about. The sticker is an open invitation for the public to engage, to say "thanks for driving safely" or to raise a concern. Instead of being a tool for blame, the real magic lies in how that feedback is used. Constructive feedback isn't about punishment. It's about giving drivers a nudge: a reminder, an opportunity, and sometimes, it's about offering praise that would otherwise go unheard.

 

 

Over the last few years, we’ve seen a notable uptick in positive calls. Members like Frank Roberts & Sons Ltd saw a 100% increase in compliments, with over a third of their reports last year being positive.

 

 

That’s a driver heading home at the end of the day knowing someone noticed they were doing the right thing.

 

At Moss Electrical Co. Ltd, another long-standing member of 25 years, over a third of their reports were also compliments last year. It just goes to show that professional, courteous driving doesn't go unnoticed.

 

 

For drivers, especially those on the road day in and day out, the job can feel isolating. Unlike office workers or shop staff, they don't always have someone nearby to offer encouragement or guidance. That’s where HMD steps in. With every constructive report comes a chance for the company to step in with support, whether that’s through a friendly conversation, a refresher toolbox talk, or even access to professional training.

 

Over the years, we’ve partnered with initiatives like Drive Alive and helped fund mental health resources for drivers, including support for road safety initiatives like the Battling Suicide Bus. We believe that road safety doesn't just come from sharper reactions, it starts with well-supported, well-informed, and valued drivers.

 

 

Transport Managers who work with HMD often talk about how having the sticker changes things internally too. It sends a message: "We care about how we show up on the road." As one TM shared, "It encourages better habits because it puts that accountability out there. But it also opens up conversations in the depot. Drivers feel like they’re part of something bigger."

 

That culture shift, towards open feedback, self-awareness and shared responsibility, can be hard to quantify, but it’s one of the most powerful outcomes of the programme.

 

 

One of the things that makes HMD unique is that it doesn’t assume drivers need to be watched. It assumes they want to be part of the solution.

 

From cycle safety stickers reminding drivers to check their blind spots, to offering digital toolbox talks for safer onboarding, HMD is constantly evolving to support drivers in real-world, human ways. And drivers are rising to the occasion.

 

 

We know that in any job, recognition matters. In driving, it can be the difference between someone white-knuckling through another shift or heading into their day with confidence. Quotes like this one from our driver feedback collection remind us why we do this: "I was just doing my job, but getting a call saying someone appreciated the way I let them merge or gave them space on a tight turn, that stuck with me. It made me feel like what I do matters."

 

 

 

 

The service isn’t just about reducing incidents (though we do that too). It’s about creating a community of shared standards, mutual respect, and public accountability. It’s about proving that professional driving is a skill to be proud of, and that sometimes the smallest gesture, a wave, a call, a sticker, can change someone’s day.

 

As Ross, our founder, often say "it was never about technology or flashy gimmicks. It was about making people think again. Think about their mood. Their responsibility. Their power to make roads better, one decision at a time."

 

Want to get involved? If you’re a fleet operator, transport manager, or business looking to improve road safety and workplace culture, How’s My Driving? is here for you.

 

And if you're a driver? Thank you. For every mile, every moment, and every time you chose to drive with care. The sticker may be small, but the impact you make is huge.