This blog post was first published back in 2011 when I shared one of my cartoons that had appeared in The Sun newspaper’s Sun Fun column. Over the years, it has remained one of my most memorable pieces – a simple but cheeky gag that still gets a laugh today. I’ve now updated the post to include more background on the cartoon, why it works so well, and how it has found a new life on a range of products through Zazzle.
If you remember the original version from years ago, I hope you’ll enjoy this refreshed look – and if you’re new to it, welcome to one of my favourite cartoon moments.
Some years ago, one of my black and white gag cartoons was printed in The Sun newspaper in its ever-popular Sun Fun column. The cartoon showed a woman driving her car, and on the bumper was a sticker carrying the words: “How’s My Wife’s Driving?”.
It was a simple idea, but it struck a chord with readers immediately. In this post I’d like to look back on that cartoon, why it still makes people laugh, and how it has found a new life on a range of Zazzle products including mugs, T-shirts, greetings cards and more.
The Origins of the Cartoon
The Sun Fun column has long been a place where readers enjoy a quick smile over their morning paper. When my cartoon appeared, it captured exactly the kind of humour that works best in that space – short, sharp, and instantly understood.
Everyone knows the classic bumper sticker that reads “How’s My Driving?”. It’s a familiar phrase, seen on the back of lorries, vans and sometimes even family cars, usually with a phone number to ring. By changing just a few words, the joke takes on a completely different life.
Instead of the driver taking responsibility, the phrase “How’s My Wife’s Driving?” adds a twist of cheekiness that makes people grin straight away.
Why It Works as a Joke
Humour often comes from taking something familiar and giving it an unexpected spin. In this case, the original bumper sticker has a serious tone, suggesting responsibility and accountability.
By contrast, my cartoon suggests a husband has decided to pass the spotlight onto his wife’s driving instead. The wording makes it sound as though he is happy to invite comments about her abilities on the road – a daft but funny idea.
The humour lies in that contradiction between the expected and the unexpected. It’s familiar enough for readers to recognise instantly, but different enough to catch them off guard and make them chuckle.
Stereotypes and Gentle Fun
Cartoons often tread the line between exaggeration and observation. This cartoon works because it pokes fun at a common stereotype – the age-old jokes about men commenting on women’s driving – but it does so in a harmless, light-hearted way. The humour doesn’t come from criticising anyone, but from the sheer silliness of imagining such a bumper sticker existing in real life.
That’s why readers connected with it. It’s cheeky, a bit unexpected, but ultimately just a laugh. When the cartoon ran in The Sun, it resonated because readers could immediately picture seeing such a sticker on the road and doing a double-take.
The Power of Simplicity
One of the most satisfying things about gag cartoons is how they can communicate so much with so little. A single drawing, a single line, and the entire joke comes across instantly. In an age of short attention spans, that’s part of the magic.
You don’t need to explain or add layers of detail – the cartoon delivers the laugh in seconds. That is exactly what happened with this piece when it ran in print. The simplicity of a car, a driver, and a bumper sticker was enough to make thousands of readers smile.
That economy of words and imagery is what keeps cartoons timeless, even years after their first publication.
Cartoons as Everyday Gifts
What’s lovely about a cartoon like this one is how easily it adapts to other formats. While it first appeared on the newspaper page, the clean lines and straightforward humour make it perfect for print on everyday items.
That’s why I’ve made the cartoon available on Zazzle across a range of products. It translates beautifully onto mugs, where people can enjoy the gag with their morning coffee. It works on T-shirts, where the joke becomes part of someone’s outfit and can spark conversations.
And it’s ideal for greetings cards, where the humour can be shared on birthdays, anniversaries, or simply as a light-hearted note to a friend. The adaptability of gag cartoons is one of their greatest strengths, and this one is no exception.
Why It Still Makes People Laugh Today
Humour changes with the times, but certain types of jokes are evergreen. Wordplay, quick visual twists, and riffs on everyday life tend to hold their charm for decades. “How’s My Wife’s Driving?” is one of those jokes that doesn’t need any explanation or cultural context.
It’s as funny today as it was when it appeared in the Sun Fun column. Drivers still see “How’s My Driving?” stickers, and the idea of altering it in a cheeky way still works instantly. That’s why I think this cartoon has stood the test of time and continues to make people chuckle years later.
From Print to Products
Making the move from newspaper cartoon to product design felt like a natural step. Zazzle is a platform that makes it easy to share artwork with a wider audience, and this particular cartoon was an obvious candidate. People love to own items that make them smile, and humour works brilliantly on practical products.
A mug with a funny cartoon isn’t just something you drink from – it becomes a little piece of daily entertainment. A greetings card with a witty gag isn’t just a message – it’s a keepsake. By featuring this cartoon on Zazzle products, I can give people the chance to enjoy it in a new way, and even share it as a gift with others.
A Little Piece of Cartoon History
For me personally, this cartoon represents a proud moment in my cartooning career. Having work published in a national newspaper is always a thrill, and seeing readers respond so positively reinforced the power of a well-crafted gag.
Now, being able to feature the same cartoon on modern products means that its life continues. It’s more than just a drawing – it’s a small piece of cartoon history that people can enjoy in their own homes.
Every time someone smiles while sipping from a mug or chuckles when they see the cartoon on a T-shirt, that original spark of humour lives on.
The Joy of Sharing Cartoons
Cartooning has always been about sharing laughs. Whether in newspapers, books, online posts or printed products, the aim is the same – to connect with people through humour.
The “How’s My Wife’s Driving?” cartoon is a perfect example of how a simple idea can travel far beyond its first appearance. From a single panel in The Sun to a selection of Zazzle items, it continues to find new audiences. That’s the joy of being a cartoonist: you never quite know how far a drawing will go or how many smiles it will create along the way.
Conclusion
Looking back, I’m delighted that this cartoon still has a place today. It was fun to create, satisfying to see published, and rewarding to watch it gain a second life on Zazzle products. Its humour is straightforward, relatable, and timeless – which is exactly what makes a gag cartoon successful.
Whether on a newspaper page, a mug, a T-shirt or a greetings card, “How’s My Wife’s Driving?” continues to raise a smile. And ultimately, that’s what cartooning is all about: finding laughter in everyday life and sharing it with as many people as possible.
