Paisley has been ranked among the UK’s ten most driver-friendly university locations in a new study.
MoneySuperMarket placed the town sixth after comparing parking permit costs, vehicle crime, road collisions, fuel prices and student car insurance premiums.
The study listed Paisley’s annual residential parking permit cost as £0.
It recorded 130 road collisions in the town during 2024. No vehicle crime figure was available for Paisley.
Average fuel prices were recorded as 151.10p per litre for petrol and 169.10p for diesel on 20th July 2026.
The average annual car insurance premium for students in Paisley was £1,278.95, based on MoneySuperMarket policy data from 2025.
Paisley received an overall score of 7.39 out of 10.
Pontypridd topped the ranking, followed by Swansea and Sunderland. London was named the least driver-friendly university location.
The figures refer to residential parking permits and do not mean students can park for free at university campuses.
The collision figure is the total number recorded rather than a rate adjusted for population or traffic levels.
Alicia Hempsted, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “Where a car is kept can influence insurance costs, as insurers consider factors such as traffic levels, claims history and local risk. Students who move away for university and keep their car at a new address for much of the year may need to update their policy details, which could affect their premium.
“For students, it’s important to make sure the details on their insurance policy accurately reflect their circumstances, including where the car is usually kept for the majority of the time and who the main driver is. While it may be tempting to provide a different address or list a family member as the main driver to secure a cheaper quote, giving incorrect information to an insurer could invalidate the policy and leave you without cover if you need to make a claim.
“One of the most common mistakes students make is assuming their existing policy will automatically cover them when they move to university. In reality, any change of address or how the vehicle is used should be declared to your insurer. Students should also consider the full cost of running a car, including parking permits, fuel and insurance, particularly in cities where parking may be limited or expensive.
“Shopping around before term is one of the simplest ways students can keep costs down. Comparing quotes in advance can help students to appreciate and understand the true cost of owning a car at university and make a more informed decision.”