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The driving force is explained by two factors: voltage gradient and concentration gradient. When there are more ions inside of a cell than outside of a cell, the concentration gradient is pushing the ion to exit the cell. This is simple diffusion. If that ion carries a negative charge then it also wants to exit the cell because the outside environment is slightly more positive.
So if you add both voltage gradient and concentration gradient you get the driving force. In the example above both gradients are pushing the ion outside of the cell. Sometimes you can have the gradients going in opposites and then the driving force will be determined on which gradient is stronger.
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There are many factors that contribute to the membrane potential of a cell. The driving force of ions which are a summation of voltage gradient and concentration gradient are an important one. Also other proteins and amino acids contribute to the cell's membrane potential.
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What factors contribute to the membrane potential of a cell?
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What is the driving force for erosion?
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What force pushes the cell membrane up against the cell wall?
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