If you’re planning on embarking on a long road trip this summer, it’s important to keep yourself and your passengers protected from the sun.
To help drivers ahead of the summer holidays, experts from Ripe Motorhome Insurance explore how much sun exposure drivers could face on long summer road trips.
According to data from a 2025 study, front windshields block over 90% of the sun’s UVA rays; however, driver-side windows block just 89%, allowing over 11% UVA to get through. This means drivers could be unknowingly exposing themselves to harmful rays when facing long journeys.
During peak mid-summer, UVI levels can reach as high as eight in the UK, while three to five is the most common on an average summer’s day.
While 11% of sun penetration through your driver’s side window might sound small, the exposure quickly adds up. Based on the UK average UVI of four, one hour in direct sunlight delivers around four Standard Erythemal Doses (SED). Across 11 hours, that totals approximately 44 SED, which equates to around four to five Minimal Erythemal Doses (MED), this is enough to cause visible skin damage in those with fair skin.
With this in mind, Ripe Motorhome Insurance have put together a guide for drivers to understand how much sun they may be exposing themselves to while driving in the UK over the summer.
| Driving Time | UVA Exposure Equivalent (hrs) | Total SED | Estimated MEDs | Equivalent Sunbathing Time | Walking Time Equivalent |
| 5 hours | 0.56 hours | ~2.2 SED | ~0.2 MED | ~0.5 hours | ~1.5–2.5 hours |
| 10 hours | 1.12 hours | ~4.5 SED | ~0.4 MED | ~1 hour | ~3–5 hours |
| 15 hours | 1.68 hours | ~6.7 SED | ~0.6 MED | ~1.5 hours | ~5–7 hours |
| 20 hours | 2.24 hours | ~9.0 SED | ~0.9 MED | ~2 hours | ~6–9 hours |
| 25 hours | 2.8 hours | ~11.2 SED | ~1.1 MED | ~2.5 hours | ~8–11 hours |
The comparison shows that five hours driving is equivalent to 30 minutes of sunbathing or around 1.5 – 2.5 hours walking outdoors. For those facing longer journeys, this increases further with 10 hours of driving equal to one full hour of sunbathing and up to five hours walking in the sun.
Prolonged UVA exposure is a risk factor for photoaging, melanoma and even non-melanoma skin cancer in extreme cases, so it’s vital to understand how much sun you may be exposing yourself to as a driver and for your passengers.
In light of this, Ripe Motorhome Insurance has partnered with Dr. Hamed, a Dermatologist at PowerYourCurls, to share his expert advice:
What types of UV can reach your skin through a closed motorhome window?
“UVA has a longer wavelength than UVB, so it can go deeper into the skin and also penetrate glass. UVB has higher energy but works on a shorter wavelength, so this can be mostly blocked by a plain motorhome window. If you’re exposed to sunlight through a window, it would still affect you less than exposure from direct sunlight; however, for best protection, some kind of UV-blocking film would be ideal. Closed windows will still provide some form of protection from direct sunlight.”
Would you recommend that motorhome owners opt for UV protective windows for their motorhomes? Would you recommend UV-blocking films?
“I would recommend opting for UV protective windows for your motorhome, if it does not come as standard in your motorhome, especially if you are going on long drives or are being exposed to the sunlight in any way. UV blocking films would be good for not only protecting against UV damage, but also for helping to keep the interior of the motorhome cool.”
How does this differ from the windscreen? Are you more or less protected from laminated glass in windscreens?
“The windshield is made of laminated glass, which contains a thin sheet of vinyl sandwiched between two layers of glass. This offers much better protection than tempered glass. You’re more or less protected by the windshield. This is why people who drive for a longer time tend to get sunburns or aging skin on their forearms as they rest them along the side panels on their doors, rather than on their faces or chest.”
Do you have any tips to avoid getting sunburnt in a motorhome?
“To avoid getting sunburnt in a motorhome, don’t drive with the windows down, if you can help it. Also, get some kind of UV protection film, otherwise you’ll start to feel the effects pretty easily.”
What are the signs and symptoms of sunburn?
“The initial signs would be redness and the skin feeling warm to the touch. Later, pain, tenderness and possibly even blistering or skin peeling can happen as exposure continues.”
How should I choose what sunscreen to use on a car journey?
“I’d focus on SPF50 if possible, since you’d not have to reapply that as often as the SPF30 versions.”
What should you do if you have been sunburnt whilst driving?
“Use a moisturiser like aloe vera gel or calamine lotion to protect the skin as soon as possible. I’ve seen people use cold milk or even yoghurt in a pinch. Wear a visor or a wide-brimmed hat, if possible, especially if you need to continue driving. Keep the skin moist by reapplying the aloe vera gel or at least dabbing at your skin with a moist towel to absorb any heat.”
Alan Thomas, CEO of Ripe Motorhome Insurance, summarises:
“It’s important for drivers to consider sun exposure when heading out on long journeys over the summer, especially for those travelling across Europe, where exposure increases. For example, in Spain, the UVI index can reach as high as ten in July, so it’s important to ensure you’re fully prepared.
“Adding compliant window tints and films, particularly to side windows, will help to keep sun exposure down for both drivers and passengers. Make sure to pack the factor 50 when hitting the road and minimize driving with windows down to keep yourself protected from the sun’s rays.”
