Driving tips for hay fever sufferers

Last Updated: 18 September 2026

Spring is here, and warmer weather is around the corner, but for many people in the UK this signals hay fever season. Pollen allergies can be a right nuisance, and if you are a driver, some roadside plants can actually be the cause of your symptoms.

In this article, we not only share our driving tips for hay fever sufferers, but also explain whether you can drive while taking allergy medication, as well as the plants that cause the most problems. Read on to find out more…  

What is hay fever and how is it caused?

Hay fever - also known medically as allergic rhinitis - is an allergic reaction in humans that is caused by pollen-based trees, weeds and grasses. Although it's largely associated with pollen-bearing plants, hay fever can also be triggered by dust, mould, and animal fur. 

For sufferers with pollen-related allergies, most people in the UK have noticeable symptoms from late March to the end of September. However, some hay fever sufferers can have symptoms year-round. This is usually caused by perennial plants and trees that grow and produce pollen in each of the four seasons.  

What are the most common hay fever symptoms and can it be treated?

Hay fever symptoms vary from person to person; some people experience minor symptoms such as itchy eyes and a slight tickle in the back of their throat, while others feel like they have a cold. 

The most common hay fever symptoms are:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Runny nose
• Itchy eyes
• Watery eyes
• Earache
• Headache
• Lethargy
• Loss of smell

There is no cure for hay fever, but there are over-the-counter medications that your local pharmacist can issue to help ease the symptoms. Antihistamines such as Piriton tend to be a preferred choice by allergy sufferers, and there are holistic remedies that some people swear by too.     

Can you drive with hay fever?

The short answer is yes, you can drive with hay fever as it does not need to be medically declared on your driving licence. But your ability to drive can very much depend on the type of medication you are taking to relieve hay fever symptoms.

Can you take hay fever medication and drive?

Antihistamine-based medication for hay fever is well-known for its drowsy side effects - not ideal for being in control of a vehicle. For this reason, driving while under the influence of medication that causes you to feel drowsy can land you in big trouble with the law. 

Therefore, it is only safe to get behind the wheel of a vehicle if the medication you take for hay fever is non-drowsy - this is why it is so important to read the label. We'd also recommend that you don't drive if you are taking hay fever medication for the first time, just in case you were to suffer from any side effects that could affect your ability to drive. 

To put it into perspective, if you are caught driving while under the influence of medication that causes drowsiness and potentially puts yourself and other road users in danger, you could be fined up to £500, receive penalty points, be banned from driving for up to a year, or even serve time in prison.    

10 tips for easing hay fever symptoms while driving

Assuming you take non-drowsy medication for hay fever and are fit to get behind the wheel, there are ways in which you can help ease your symptoms even more while driving. Here are our top 10 tips:

Apply Vaseline to your nose

Adding a layer of petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) to the skin around your nostrils helps form a protective barrier. This encourages dust or pollen particles to stick to the skin rather than get breathed in, which may reduce the need to sneeze.

Keep your windows closed.

We know this sounds pretty obvious, but keeping your car windows closed while driving will prevent pollen from entering the cabin and irritating your eyes and nose. It's worth bearing in mind that humid and windy days create a particularly high pollen count.

Clean the air con regularly.y

Did you know that pollen and dust can get trapped in the car's air conditioning system? This means that when you turn the air con or heating on, it can release spores of dust and pollen into the cabin - bad news for hay fever sufferers. Regularly cleaning your air con system can drastically reduce this problem. 

Fit a pollen filter 

To help prevent any unwanted pollen and dust particles from getting inside a vehicle, an air pollen filter can be a great addition to the air con system - it is designed to fit all makes and models. 

Wipe surfaces with a damp sponge.

Wiping hard interior surfaces with a damp sponge or cloth removes dust and pollen particles that settle on areas like the dashboard.

Vacuum soft surfaces

It may seem like a bit of a chore, but vacuuming any soft surfaces inside your vehicle - such as upholstered seats - will remove any dust or pollen particles trapped in the fabric.

Wear sunglasses on bright, sunny days.s

Squinting when behind the wheel is never ideal, so keep a spare pair of sunglasses in the car for sunny occasions. They will also help protect your eyes from pollen and dust, reducing the chance they get irritated while driving. 

Wear a face mask

If your allergies are particularly bad, wearing a face mask while driving can help prevent pollen and dust particles from irritating your nose and throat. 

Keep tissues within reach

Why not put storage compartments to good use by keeping a pack of tissues in your car? Handy to have if you experience a runny nose or watery eyes.

Check the pollen count.

Plan by checking the pollen count in your area and for the onward journey. The Met Office has a very useful pollen forecast tool on its website where you can check the pollen count up to five days in advance.      

Plants that cause the most problems for hay fever sufferers

Some of the most pollenous plants in the UK actually grow along the roadside - not ideal for drivers with hay fever. 

Verges and wasteland can provide the ideal conditions for grasses and weeds, and as we know, when left to their own devices, these can grow at an enormous rate - proving even more of a problem for allergy sufferers. All the more reason to keep your car windows shut!

The roadside plants that cause the most problems in terms of pollen particles are stinging nettles, docks, mugwort and meadow grasses. These are even more likely to cause hay fever symptoms when flowering and releasing seeds into the air.  

UK hay fever hotspots

You may not realise, but pollen counts in the UK can vary by region. Pollen is measured per cubic metre over 24 hours using what's called a Burkard trap. Pollen levels are dictated by the number of pollen-producing species in any given area, which are affected by the ever-changing weather conditions. 

The pollen count method allows weather forecasters to issue a reading of high, medium or low in your local area. Researchers at Worcester University's pollen research services centre conducted a study to find the areas in the UK most affected by pollen.

From its research, 10 regions across the UK were ranked from high to low in terms of pollen count - number 1 being the area with the most pollen particles per cubic metre, and number 10 being the region with the lowest pollen particles per cubic metre. Here are the findings:

1. SOUTH EAST
2. EAST MIDLANDS
3. WEST MIDLANDS
4. WALES
5. NORTH EAST
6. NORTH WEST
7. SOUTH CENTRAL
8. SOUTH WEST
9. SCOTLAND
10. NORTHERN IRELAND

As you can see, the South East of England has the highest pollen count, whereas Northern Ireland has the lowest pollen count. So where you live really can affect your chances of having hay fever!

Prepare for the pollen count no matter where your journey takes you

Whether you are planning an epic road trip, a weekend break away, or just a day out, we can help you get from A to B. Here at Rent Direct, we provide hire cars, hire MPVs or hire vans for any occasion - short term or long term.  

If you're an allergy sufferer, then why not take on board our top tips for driving with hay fever to help enjoy a symptom-free journey. We thoroughly valet all our hire vehicles after use, so you can enjoy a clean, pollen-free start to your trip.      

When out and about on the roads this summer, be prepared by reading our summer driving safety guide. Does a staycation tempt you this year? If so, check out the UK's most memorable driving routes and plan a road trip to remember.

Get in touch to discuss your vehicle rental needs, or book your hire car, van, or MPV online using the form on our homepage.