Accredited official statistics

Road traffic estimates in Great Britain, 2023: Traffic in Great Britain by vehicle type

Published 22 May 2024

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

About this release

This release presents the 2023 annual estimates of traffic on Great Britain’s roads broken down by vehicle type.

Please see the companion releases for an overview of the 2023 traffic estimates, a breakdown by road type, a breakdown for England’s road networks.

Annual traffic statistics are compiled using data from around 8,000 roadside 12-hour manual counts, continuous data from automatic traffic counters, and data on road lengths. Please see our methodology note for more details.

The next annual traffic statistics release is expected to be published in May 2025, reporting 2024 traffic figures.

This publication includes both accredited official statistics^{[footnote 1]} and official statistics. For more information, see the background information section.

Overview

In 2023, cars continue to be the main contributor to changes in overall motor vehicle traffic.

Chart 5: Share of traffic by vehicle types in Great Britain, 2023

Chart 5 is a bar chart that shows that cars account for the majority (76%) of all motor vehicle traffic. Therefore, cars continue to be the main contributor to changes in overall motor vehicle traffic.

Vans have become more important over the last decades, accounting for 17% of all motor vehicle traffic in 2023.

Lorries, buses and coaches, and motorcycles have had similar shares of traffic over the last few decades. In 2023, lorries accounted for 5% of traffic, buses and coaches were 1% of traffic and motorcycles were 1% of traffic.

In 2023, traffic levels for cars, buses and coaches and lorries were below pre-pandemic (2019) levels, whereas vans and motorcycles were above the 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Pedal cycles were similar to pre-pandemic levels in 2023.

Chart 6: Vehicle miles travelled by vehicle type in Great Britain, 2019 to 2023

Chart 6 is a bar chart that shows that car traffic increased by 3.0% from 2022 but remained below pre-pandemic (2019) levels.

Van traffic showed little change from 2022 and was above pre-pandemic levels. Lorry traffic estimates decreased by 2.5% from 2022 and were below pre-pandemic levels.

Bus traffic was 1.7% below 2022 and remain lower than 2019 levels. Motorcycle traffic showed little change from 2022 and was higher than levels before the pandemic.

Pedal cycle traffic levels decreased by 7.3% between 2022 and 2023 but were broadly similar to 2019 levels (-0.4% when compared to 2019).

Car and taxi traffic

Definition

Cars and taxis

Includes passenger vehicles with 9 or fewer seats, 3 wheeled cars and 4 wheel-drive ‘sports utility vehicles’. Cars towing caravans or trailers are counted as one vehicle.

Compared with 2022, car and taxi traffic in Great Britain increased by 3.0% to 251.3 billion vehicle miles in 2023. Car and taxi traffic in 2023 was 4.4% lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Chart 7: Car and taxi miles in Great Britain, 2013 to 2023

Chart 7 is a bar chart that shows that car miles travelled in Great Britain saw year-on-year growth in each year between 2013 and 2019. This was followed by a sharp decline in 2020 and then increases in 2021 and 2022. Traffic levels increased by 3.0% between 2022 and 2023 but remained below pre-pandemic (2019) levels.

Chart 8: Car and taxi miles by road type in Great Britain, 2023

Chart 8 is a bar chart that shows that in 2023:

• car traffic on motorways was 48.5 billion vehicle miles, 19% of the total
• car traffic on ‘A’ roads was 111.6 billion vehicle miles, 44% of the total
• car traffic on minor roads was 91.2 billion vehicle miles, 36% of the total

Chart 9: Monthly trend in car and taxi traffic, 2023

Chart 9 is a line chart that shows that during 2023 car traffic was lower in every month than pre-pandemic levels for the equivalent months in 2019. Car and taxi traffic levels were between 2% below and 6% below the levels for the equivalent month of 2019.

Chart 10: Hourly car and taxi traffic trends on all road types in Great Britain, 2023

Chart 10 is a line chart that shows that on an average weekday in 2023, car traffic was highest in the afternoon peak, between 4pm and 6pm. On an average weekend in 2023, car traffic was highest in the middle of the day, between 12pm and 2pm.

Van traffic

Definition

Vans (Light Commercial Vehicles - LCVs)

Includes goods vehicles not exceeding 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight. Includes all car-based vans and those of the next largest carrying capacity such as transit vans. Also included are ambulances, pickups and milk floats.

Compared with 2022, van traffic in Great Britain showed little change and reached 57.8 billion vehicle miles in 2023. Van traffic in 2023 was 8.1% higher than 2019.

Chart 11: Van miles in Great Britain, 2013 to 2023

Chart 11 is a bar chart that shows that van miles travelled in Great Britain saw year-on-year growth in each year between 2013 and 2019. This was followed by a decline in 2020 and then increases in 2021 and 2022. Traffic levels showed little change between 2022 and 2023 and reached 57.8 billion vehicle miles in 2023.

Chart 12: Van miles by road type in Great Britain, 2023

Chart 12 is a bar chart that shows that in 2023:

• van traffic on motorways was 13.0 billion vehicle miles, 23% of the total
• van traffic on ‘A’ roads was 24.3 billion vehicle miles, 42%of the total
• van traffic on minor roads was 20.4 billion vehicle miles, 35% of the total

Chart 13: Monthly trend in van traffic, 2023

Chart 13 is a line chart that shows that during 2023 van traffic was higher in every month than pre-pandemic levels for the equivalent months in 2019. Van traffic levels were between 5% above and 12% above the levels for the equivalent months in 2019.

Chart 14: Hourly van traffic trends on all road types in Great Britain, 2023

Chart 14 is a line chart that shows that on average in 2023, vans had similar daily travel patterns to cars. The weekday morning and afternoon peaks were a similar level to cars, however, the afternoon peak is higher for cars.

The proportion of vans on the road at weekends was generally lower than weekdays, even at the peak periods.

Lorry traffic

Definition

Lorries (Heavy Goods Vehicles - HGVs)

Includes all goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight.

In 2023, lorries travelled 16.9 billion vehicle miles, a decline of 2.5% when compared with 2022. Lorry traffic in 2023 was 1.6% lower than 2019 levels.

Chart 15: Lorry miles in Great Britain, 2013 to 2023

Chart 15 is a bar chart that shows that lorry miles travelled in Great Britain saw year-on-year growth in each year between 2013 and 2019. This was then followed by a decline in 2020. Lorry traffic increased in 2021, before a small fall in 2022. Traffic levels in 2023 were -2.5% when compared with 2022.

Chart 16: Lorry miles by road type in Great Britain, 2023

Chart 16 is a bar chart that shows that in 2023:

• lorry traffic on motorways was 8.1 billion vehicle miles, 48% of the total
• lorry traffic on ‘A’ roads was 7.6 billion vehicle miles, 45% of the total
• lorry traffic on minor roads was 1.3 billion vehicle miles, 8% of the total

Chart 17: Monthly trend in lorry traffic, 2023

Chart 17 is a line chart that shows that during 2023 lorry traffic was varied around the pre-pandemic levels for the equivalent months in 2019. Lorry traffic levels were between 8% below and 6% above the levels for the equivalent months in 2019.

Chart 18: Hourly lorry traffic trends on all road types in Great Britain, 2023

Chart 18 is a line chart that shows that on an average weekday in 2023 lorries had a more constant level of traffic from 6am to 6pm, compared to the morning and evening peaks seen in cars and vans. There were much lower numbers of lorries on the roads at the weekends than on weekdays.

Motorcycle and scooter traffic

Definition

Motorcycles and scooters

Includes motorcycles, scooters and mopeds and all motorcycle or scooter combinations.

Compared to 2022, motorcycle and scooter (excluding e-scooter) traffic showed little change in 2023 and reached 2.9 billion vehicle miles. Motorcycle traffic in 2023 was 6.8% higher than in 2019.

Chart 19: Motorcycle and scooter miles in Great Britain, 2013 to 2023

Chart 19 is a bar chart that shows that motorcycle miles travelled in Great Britain saw year-on-year growth in each year between 2013 and 2016, followed by small falls between 2017 and 2019. This was then followed by a greater decline in 2020. Motorcycle traffic increased in 2021 and 2022. Traffic levels between 2022 and 2023 showed little change and reached 2.9 billion vehicle miles in 2023.

Chart 20: Motorcycle and scooter miles by road type in Great Britain, 2023

Chart 20 is a bar chart that shows that in 2023:

• motorcycle traffic on motorways was 0.2 billion vehicle miles, 6% of the total
• motorcycle traffic on ‘A’ roads was 1.2 billion vehicle miles, 41% of the total
• motorcycle traffic on minor roads was 1.5 billion vehicle miles, 53% of the total

Chart 21: Monthly trend in motorcycle and scooter traffic, 2023

Chart 21 is a line chart that shows that during 2023 motorcycle traffic was higher in some months than pre-pandemic levels for the equivalent months in 2019. Motorcycle traffic levels were between 9% below and 31% above the levels for the equivalent months in 2019.

Bus and coach traffic

Definition

Buses and coaches

Includes all public service vehicles and works buses which have a gross weight greater than 3.5 tonnes.

Bus and coach traffic saw a 1.7% reduction between 2022 and 2023, and reached 1.9 billion vehicle miles in 2023. Compared to 2019, bus and coach traffic saw a decline of 18.6% in 2023.

Chart 22: Bus and coach miles in Great Britain, 2013 to 2023

Chart 22 is a bar chart that shows that bus and coach miles travelled in Great Britain generally saw year-on-year falls in each year between 2013 and 2019. This was then followed by a sharper decline in 2020. Bus traffic increased in 2021 and 2022. Traffic levels showed a 1.7% reduction between 2022 and 2023, and remain lower than the 2019 levels.

Chart 23: Bus and coach miles by road type in Great Britain, 2023

Chart 23 is a bar chart that shows that in 2023:

• bus and coach traffic on motorways was 0.2 billion vehicle miles, 8% of the total
• bus and coach traffic on ‘A’ roads was 0.9 billion vehicle miles, 45% of the total
• bus and coach traffic on minor roads was 0.9 billion vehicle miles, 47% of the total

Chart 24: Monthly trend in bus and coach traffic, 2023

Chart 24 is a line chart that shows that during 2023 bus and coach traffic was lower in every month than pre-pandemic levels for the equivalent months in 2019. Bus and coach traffic levels were between 23% below and 14% below the levels for the equivalent months in 2019.

Pedal cycle traffic

Definitions

Pedal cycles

Includes all non-motorised pedal cycles and includes electric bicycles. Estimates for pedal cycle traffic only include cycling on public highways, and on cycle paths and footpaths adjacent to them.

Pedal cycles travelled 3.6 billion miles on roads^{[footnote 2]} in 2023, 7.3% lower than in 2022. Pedal cycle traffic was unchanged compared to 2019.

Chart 25: Pedal cycle miles in Great Britain, 2013 to 2023

Chart 25 is a bar chart that shows that pedal cycle miles travelled on roads^{[footnote 2]} in Great Britain saw year-on-year increases in each year between 2017 and 2019. This was then followed by a sharp increase in 2020 and then falls in 2021 and 2022. Pedal cycle traffic levels decreased between 2022 and 2023, to reach 3.6 billion vehicle miles, and are now broadly similar to 2019 levels.

Chart 26: Pedal cycle miles by road type in Great Britain, 2023

Chart 26 is a bar chart that shows that in 2023:

• cycle traffic on ‘A’ roads was 0.6 billion vehicle miles, 17% of the total
• cycle traffic on minor roads was 3.0 billion vehicle miles, 83% of the total

Chart 27: Monthly trend in pedal cycle traffic, 2023

Chart 27 is a line chart that shows that monthly pedal cycle traffic levels varied around the pre-pandemic levels in 2023. Pedal cycle traffic levels were between 12% below and 15% above the levels for the equivalent months in 2019. Note that cycling levels are likely to be influenced by the weather in all months in 2023 and in the 2019 comparators.

Further information

Cycle traffic index for England

This monthly index shows the change in cycling levels in England compared to a 2013 baseline. It is a rolling annual index, allowing us to look at changes compared to previous months and years.

Background information

Annual estimates make use of data from around 8,000 manual traffic counts in addition to continuous data from a national network of automatic traffic counters (ATCs). These data sources produce accurate estimates on traffic levels in Great Britain by vehicle type and by road type.

This publication is a compendium of both accredited official statistics and official statistics. The type of statistics presented is detailed below.

• Accredited official statistics: National and regional road traffic estimates and flow estimates

(Datasets: TRA0101 to TRA0106, TRA0202 to TRA0206, TRA0301 to TRA0303, TRA0401 to TRA0413, TRA3105, TRA4101 to TRA4116, TRA4201 to TRA4216)

These official statistics were independently reviewed by the Office for Statistics Regulation in February 2013. They comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics and should be labelled ‘accredited official statistics’.

• Other official statistics: Temporal road traffic estimates

(Datasets: TRA0305 to TRA0308)

Traffic temporal distributions are not as robust, as they are based on only the ATC data, and must be treated with caution. These statistics are official statistics. They comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality, and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics.

• Other official statistics: Static road network road traffic estimates

(Datasets: TRA4201 to TRA4216)

Traffic estimates based on a static road management status were developed after the last review of these statistics. These statistics are official statistics. They comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality, and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics.

• Other official statistics: Local authority road traffic estimates

(Datasets: TRA8901 to TRA8907)

Traffic at this level is not as robust, due to the sample size of the minor road data, and must be treated with caution. These statistics are official statistics. They comply with the standards of trustworthiness, quality, and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics.

Further information about these statistics is available, including:

• a detailed explanation of the methodology used to produce Department for Transport (DfT) road traffic statistics can be found online in the annual road traffic estimates: methodology note
• notes and definitions for the road traffic statistics
• the data tables, which give further detail of the key results presented in this statistical release
• a geographical website that allows users to view and download estimated traffic flows on every link of the ‘A’ road and motorway network in Great Britain

Details of ministers and officials who receive pre-release access to these statistics up to 24 hours before release can be found on the pre-release access page.

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Contact details

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1. Accredited official statistics are called National Statistics in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007. ↩

2. Estimates for pedal cycle traffic only include cycling on public highways, and on cycle paths and footpaths adjacent to them. Cycle activity elsewhere (for example on canal towpaths, byways or bridleways) is not included in road traffic statistics. Therefore, they may not give a complete representation of cycling. DfT statistics on walking and cycling provide further analyses from other sources, such as the National Travel Survey (NTS) and Sport England’s Active Lives Survey (ALS). ↩ ↩²