bay parking tips

Indout96

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

The simplest method is to drive slowly at a kerb from a very slight angle, and note the position on the bonnet that the kerb intersects, when your tyre rubs against it. That will tell you roughly where 'things are' when you're parking in a bay.

Make sure the kerb is low and that it will not hit your wheels if trying this, new alloys are not cheap

missile

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

I passed my driving test a year ago, but have only recently got back behind the wheel.

I have no problems with driving in itself, but i seem to be having some issues with bay parking. Unfortunately as there are no parking bays at my local test centre i was not taught how to do this manouvre when i learnt to drive.

i just don't seem to be able to front in to a bay parking space without clipping the white lines of the next space, or shunting back and forth repeatedly to get in within the white lines (i'd like to stress that for this reason i always choose bays that are empty either side, so there's no danger of me accidently bumping someone else). I'm yet to try reversing in - i'm not sure if this is any easier, although i have no problems reversing out of a bay, even if people have gone on to park either side of me.

On my route to work i have to pass through a very narrow bridge and set of gate posts - I can do this fine so why can't i park in a little square box (no jokes about female drivers please )

can anyone give me any tips on how to get my head around this?

Join your local IAM group where you will get all the help and advice you need. http://www.iam.org.uk/
They will tell you it is easier and safer to reverse park.:rolleyes:

movingforward2010

So this is why I return to my car to find marks and dents on it, bay parking is simples, just use your wing mirrors -you can see the white line, check both and reverse

GabbaGabbaHey

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

once i get my head around what i need to do i'm sure i'll be fine, it's just a case of finding someone who could explain it in a way that it would make sense to my poor old brain.

If you got on OK with the driving instructor who got you through your test, then my suggestion would be to use him as this person!

There's are lots of people on this forum and elsewhere who will be able to tell you what works for them, but if you can get a professional to show you how to do it properly (and then practice, practice, practice!) it will stand you in good stead for a lifetime of driving.

stokegal

Indout96 wrote: »

Is anyone else thinking the words BUS and PASS need to be applied

No thank you - I passed my test so that I didn't have to ride the bus anymore

DaveF327

Indout96 wrote: »

Is anyone else thinking the words BUS and PASS need to be applied

That's exactly what I was thinking... which is why I want to throw a brick at the television every time I hear the "Sheila's Wheels" jingle.

fluffpot

As has been said, reverse parking is actually much easier once you have the hang of it. Adjust the mirror so you can see the curb and start by parking on the drivers side, so you can see much more clearly how far away you are from the other car and the kerb.

Alternatively come and live in London - your parking would improve dramatically as you'd have no choice! :rotfl:

Beth86

I just wanted to say I know exactly how you feel...

I passed my test in Oct 07, and have not really had much driving time as I was sharing Mum's car until Nov 08, then our car broke in Mar 09, and I cannot drive DF's car no matter how hard I try, there's something that doesn't feel right.

Anyway, bay parking isn't really the issue for me, it's reversing out afterwards if I drive in... I can't see enough and get really paranoid I'm going to hit someone.

I hope you get to grips with it.

B

Liz3yy

I really feel for you. I passed my test in March this year and despite learning how to bay park I still find parking in general stressful and used to always try and find a space I can drive straight into.

In the past few weeks I've become a little more confident and forced myself to reverse into a space whenever I can. I always do at work and 9 times out of 10 anywhere else.

It really is much easier to reverse into a space then drive out. You need to know the width and length of your car which comes with time and practise, something I'm still learning!

It will get easier but you need to face your fear, practice, practice and practice some more, good luck

gilbert_and_sullivan

An earlier poster mentioned using boxes in a emptyish car park...spot on, that the best way.

Set out some boxes on the corners beside the chosen bay and opposite too..no cheating...then practice reverse parking, especially blind side (reversing in to the left hand side) until you are blue in the face, then do it the other way too.

Then drive in to the space, there will always be times when you have to, you will find it easier if you try not to do it in one, take a wide sweep as if you have a car twice as long as you have, then when it wont make it, a little shunt back will have you square in on the second go.

Then set the boxes to perfect parallel parking on the street.

You'll probably be looking through the back and side windows.......my tip, cover those windows and practice until you can do it correctly every time using just your mirrors on all maneuver's.

Half a day spent doing this will give you all the confidence in the world.