AIBU to park half on the pavement?

[elinorbellowed]

Outside my house, only blocking my own drive, room on the pavement for a pushchair/wheelchair to get past, room on the road for two cars to pass comfortably and safely.
I just CAN'T face trying to get it in the drive, which is approximately 10 cm wider than the car. I only passed my test last week and I've already scraped the bloody thing twice. It took me five minutes and A LOT of swearing to reverse it out this morning for the school run. Toddler DD has tonsillitis and was sobbing in pain in the back. Please tell me I can leave it there until 2.45? Am picking up new smaller car for me on Saturday, so I don't have to persevere with this beast for much longer.

(Although, how I will handle the shame if my driving instructor goes past I do not know...)

And as a just-passed driver, I can fully understand the trepidation of parking up your drive, I was a nervous driver in the beginning but got better with practice and when I got used to the dimensions of my new car. I can now throw my 7 seater in the drive with centimetres to spare with my eyes closed (and I've only knocked the wing mirror off twice )
I know friends who've long since passed their test but still won't drive on unfamiliar roads, motorways, or in case, turn right, anywhere, ever

Ok, UPDATE.
DD fell asleep on the sofa, so I put her in her cot. Then, armed with MN judgement and determination to prove myself I went out and reversed into my own drive. On the first attempt. I thank you.

(Not that I could ever prove this, being anonymous and all.)
Now, was IBU to leave a 2 year old alone in the house for five minutes while I avoided the law?

Well done! (esp on that first try bit!) :-D

Well done :)

I think reversing into tight spaces is always easier than going in forwards.

woot, well done OP

I agree - park it on the road. Two cars could be considerate and pass each other easily enough. If someone with a side by side double comes along is there enough room on the pavement for them? And yes, it is illegal though it would be unusual to get done for it I reckon.

Congrats on the test BTW. And hope your dd gets better soon. Two of mine have been totally plagued by tonsilitis over the years - it's rotten.

Woops. X posted! Well done - I always drive like a learner when DH is with me. No idea why, I've been driving 17 years!

Stressheaderic, thank you, that gives me hope! Reversing around corners is a mental block for me, and I do have to conquer it a bit. I learned in a Ford Focus, but have driven this a lot - it's a Multipla and quite a lot like a van really. Driving with the kids is what worries me really, I really feel the weight of responsibility when it's just me and them in the car. I really wish I'd learned when I was a teenager and it wasn't so important.

good woman!!! the more you do it the easier it will get obviously and reversing in is so much easier.

now unless the cot was wrapped in cling film you were NBU apologies to other cot thread OP was only teasing

I was crap at reversing round corners. Then I spent a lot of time getting lost whilst driving myself and got pretty good at turning round in all circumstances :o

When we moved to this house I'd only just passed my test and thought I would never be able to get it up the awkward driveway. However because I have to do it regularly I usually do it first time (backwards) no problem.

I'd say ok to do it once but I wouldn't start doing it regularly because the longer you leave doing it, the worse it seems to do it.

I park half on the pavement but then there's still room for a chorus line to pass through if necessary!

Oh, brilliant!

I was just reading down to say 'look, go and take it slow and park', and you've done it!

I love the way it feels the first time you manage a tricky bit of driving (I wasn't a natural to start with either and built up my skills slowly). But it is so much better to crack it than avoid, because otherwise you end up avoiding everything.

Well done.

The thought of reversing onto my drive fills me with horror.
I ripped the front of my car off reversing off the bloody thing!

I'm cracking up at people saying 'don't park on the pavement as it's illegal' - it might well be but have you actually seen London roads?

I was taught by my driving instructors to park half on the pavement - I'd have blocked the road otherwise!

Tut, Tut....pavements are for pedestrians!

Yes of course they are in theory but in practice in a busy London street it's a whole different ball game.

Our car was towed once in London because ex parked half on the pavement.

Do not park on the pavement in London! Unless specifically permitted.

Most roads are parked controlled anyway and have clear parking spaces, or yellow lines (or signs).

You were unlucky - I lived in London for 20 years and for the last 11 in a flat where the whole of the street had to park on the pavements. It obviously depends where you live.

we have no choice but to park half on the pavement...if I parked fully on the road no one would be able to drive up it! The same is true of most of the roads in our local area. Narrow roads+houses on both sides+no driveways = everyone parks half on the pavement.