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Original poster

I can't park

122 replies

Jocasta2018 · 05/03/2020 08:01

I'm not entirely sure if this is in the correct section but I hope it gets some attention. I'm using the App so hopefully the voting won't come on.
I can't park. Not 'oh I'm crap at parking ha ha' but I can't park. When I did my test 30 years ago at 17, I had to learn how to reverse around a corner as part of the test and that was it. I passed first time and my lessons ended. It didn't even occur to anyone that I should learn how to park.
I lived rurally, people had big drives, there were fewer cars on the road. It was was easy to drive into a space as cars were smaller & spaces were bigger.
6 months after my test, I moved to London. I was there for 12 years and didn't need to drive once! Illness then meant I surrendered my licence to the DVLA due to certain medications. I now have my licence back and am driving again but I'm finding it difficult.
I don't drink so am often the designated driver. When we get to a place, I'll swap with friends who then park the car. If I'm on my own, I admit that I've driven up to a place and left if I can't find a space I can get into.
My friends thinks it's hilarious. Some of them learnt to drive a few years after me when you had to park as part of the test and refuse to believe that I only had to reverse around a corner. Others can't believe I learnt to drive but didn't learn how to park.
It's now a big deal. I'm 48 and I'm not even sure I'm of an age when I can learn it even with lessons. After all, you can't teach an old dog new tricks. I've tried YouTube videos but I find them really confusing.
Has anyone reached this age and learnt how to park?
I'm sorry to burble on but I had to get someone to park last night and it was as embarrassing as usual.

OP posts:
marchez · 05/03/2020 08:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Optimist1 · 05/03/2020 08:11

A driving instructor would give you a session or two devoted entirely to parking manoeuvres, I'm sure. It would be a worthwhile investment just to wipe the smile off your mocking friends' faces! Grin

cologne4711 · 05/03/2020 08:14

I did the test in 1990 OP, so I only had to learn to reverse around a corner too. I don't actually know how I learnt to park! Practice?

How about finding a large supermarket car park with loads of spaces and have a go, well away from anyone, at parking in a space? It's actually easier to park next to someone, but you can have a go between the lines. You can see them in your side mirrors. Once you can do that, you can have a go next to a car where there's nobody on the other side (that's just like reversing around a corner really) and then ultimately find a wider space between two cars (some are very narrow but others are quite wide). You could even have a go in a disabled or P&C space if there are plenty available (before anyone shouts at me, I'm not saying the OP should stay in it, just practice parking and then drive out and if it's say at 9pm there may well be plenty of spaces she can choose from).

In terms of parallel parking, that's more difficult and I think you do need a lesson on that (I actually had one after I passed my test). I agree with marchez about having at least one lesson, it would be worth the investment.

fairislecable · 05/03/2020 08:15

Go to the empty corners of a supermarket car park and practice reversing between the lines.

Each time you park get out and check your position this will improve your special awareness.

I am also rubbish at parking and it’s difficult to practice parallel parking as I worry about the other cars.

fairislecable · 05/03/2020 08:16

*spacial awareness!

Wafflehouse · 05/03/2020 08:16

I agree op, a few lessons will be all you need. DM was bought an automatic by my dad after she passed her test, for nearly 30 years she’d only ever buy an automatic when she needed a new car because she’d lost confidence in driving a manual. She had a few lessons with a lovely local instructor, who I used after her when I started learning, she’s been fine since just needed a confidence boost to get her going. Good luck.

CastleCrasher · 05/03/2020 08:16

I agree with pp to book a few lessons, but also, have you taken yourself somewhere quiet and practiced? The supermarket near where I used to live would have been used for this a lot in the evenings/Sundays. Find a quiet spot and park, park, park again. You'll soon get the hang of it!

TorkTorkBam · 05/03/2020 08:20

I had a decade and a half gap between passing my test and driving regularly. I had 3 sessions with a driving instructor. He was lovely. It made the world of difference.

If the youtubes make no sense, try toy cars. See how they swing around. Watch the videos while doing the actions with the cars.

I did this it was helpful. I made vroom vroom noises. My toy cars got into all kinds of parking wars with each other. It was like alphabet street. Omg, are you Mrs C?

PineappleDanish · 05/03/2020 08:22

I'm the same age as you and passed my test in 1990. I didn't learn to parallel park either and the only manoeuvering I did in my test was reverse around the corner, hill start and three point turn.

However. I can park. It is really just a matter of doing it and repeating until you get the hang of it. You could go to a supermarket car park late at night and try reversing into a space, making sure you are between the lines. 50 times if needs be. And repeat until you're confident.

I was taught that when parallel parking you aim the back corner of the car half way along the empty space and then when you're half way in, start to straighten it up. Works for me and i have a big mum bus car.

Iris27 · 05/03/2020 08:33

I am not a confident driver at all, I hate reversing and prefer to reverse into a space in a car park rather than out of it.

I only got better once I split up with partner and couldn't rely on anyone doing the driving/parking for me.

My heart used to race with tricky situations (and still does sometimes) but I am much much more confident. I think lessons would be helpful but if you don't want to then just force yourself to practice. You can do it you just need to keep at it.

On the other hand you just could change your attitude. No-one is good at everything. I am not a natural driver but so what? It's just part of who I am. I'm sure you're capable of doing things your friends can't.

dottiedodah · 05/03/2020 08:34

Well at least Im not the only one then! My DC laugh at me ,and our friend sent my DS a photo of me parked between 2 cars at the supermarket car park!(rare event you see!) I took my test test in the 90s as well and parallell parking was new then .Luckily I had to reverse round a corner and do a 3 point turn (not enough time for all 3 I think).Cant get between 2 cars at all .Maybe some lessons would help .Many driving schools have refresher courses to help nervous drivers/parkers !

SoupDragon · 05/03/2020 08:38

I am also old enough not to have been taught how to park!

If you can reverse round a corner you can park in a bay - they are basically the same but bay parking requires better aim (with mirrors it's easy though)

Parallel parking I am absolutely shit at. I can do it with enough space (and luck) but I have never been taught the trick to it. I have no doubt I could learn if I booked lessons though. It is only the trick of knowing when to turn the steering wheel in what direction and how far to pull up past the parking space so I don't see why you can't learn.

Kazzyhoward · 05/03/2020 08:40

Go to a quiet car park and practice, practice, practice. Start with a row of empty spaces, so you won't be worried about hitting a car, wall etc. Just keep practising staying within the lines to get a feel for the car size, turning etc. Start driving in and reversing out and then try reversing in.

If it takes several visits to the car park, then that's what it takes. Once you've mastered the empty row and have built confidence, find a fairly wide space between cars and practice - (i.e. two small cars either side of the space), again, repeat and build confidence.

Parking is one of those things that you just have to repeat and practice.

Apolloanddaphne · 05/03/2020 08:41

I passed my test in 1983 and can park like a demon, but you are right, it takes a lot of practice. I agree that a driving instructor should be able to give you practical help with this. It is just a question of positioning the car correctly and using your mirrors. I love to surprise people by shoe horning my big car into a small space. Learn how to do this, you won't regret it.

Kazzyhoward · 05/03/2020 08:42

I took my test test in the 90s as well and parallell parking was new then

It really wasn't new. I took my test early 80s and the instructor taught me parallel parking. I can't remember if I had to do one in the test, but I vividly remember it being done in lessons as I was crap at it and had to get my parents to take me out to practice.

RockingMyFiftiesNot · 05/03/2020 08:43

I'd agree with other posters about investing in a lesson (one may be enough). I can Park but it sometimes used to take a couple or more attempts. Then my DCs were. learning to drive and were taught how to park (I wasn't ) . Even a few pointers from them about how to line up for parking has improved things considerably

horizontilting · 05/03/2020 08:44

I made vroom vroom noises

Grin This has cheered me right up this morning. I love people getting in the spirit of things.

LIZS · 05/03/2020 08:46

Parallel parking was part of the test I took many moons ago. It is all about alignment and knowing when to turn the wheel . Start parallel to the car you are going behind. Reverse slowly into the space turning onto full lock and start to turn the wheel back as you draw level with the rear of the car you are passing, start to straighten up. Try with an over large space first. Or use a car park.

GinDaddy · 05/03/2020 08:46

Massive huge respect to you for being self aware and asking for help etc, so few people do that these days.

Lots of awesome advice on this thread and I found refresher lessons helped me with all aspects of driving as I hadn't driven since passing a test 15 years ago - central London living will do that to you as you know

Good luck!

SoupDragon · 05/03/2020 08:46

I took my test early 80s and the instructor taught me parallel parking

I took my test in 1986 and wasn't taught parallel parking. It was not part of the test and was added some time in the 1990s. Quite rightly TBH!

Seeline · 05/03/2020 08:47

It's definitely not too late!

As others have said if you learnt to reverse around a corner (as I did) you can reverse into a parking space. Parallel parking is a bit more complicated, but book a couple of lessons (preferably in your car if you can find a willing instructor) and you will soon get the basics. Then practice - lots of it.

SoupDragon · 05/03/2020 08:48

April 1991 - Reverse Parking manoeuvre becomes a compulsory part of the test.

Seeline · 05/03/2020 08:49

I took my test in 1985, and no form of parking was on the test. They reckoned that if you could turn in the road and reverse around a corner then you should be able to park.

TheTeenageYears · 05/03/2020 08:49

In 1993 the test including reversing round a corner, parallel parking and three point turn. You would be asked to do 2 out of the 3 so lessons included all 3. My sister took her test in 1990 and I had no idea it wasn’t the same for her. I got parallel parking and can honestly say I have no idea how I did it - was one of those situations where I would look like an absolute pro or hit at least one car. Was going far too fast but thankfully it all turned out okay.

Find a sympathetic driving instructor for a few hours just on parking - it’s probably more common than you think and like everything admitting you have an issue and being willing to do something about it is half the battle. Good luck @Jocasta2018

SW16 · 05/03/2020 08:50

I'm 48 and I'm not even sure I'm of an age when I can learn it even with lessons. After all, you can't teach an old dog new tricks

Don’t be daft, some people don’t learn to drive til they are 48.

Book a few lessons and explain that you want to learn to park.

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