Anonymous
01/16/2020 10:07
Subject: Why am I so bad at parking?
Anonymous wrote:I think the driving tests in the US are not very comprehensive -just judging from mine when I just arrived and my son’s this summer.
In the UK they are app an hour long. You have to do all the maneuvers perfectly including parking in a parking bay both forward and reversing and tester checks distance between you and cars on either side and then driving or reversing back out,
pulling up on the side of the road, reversing for 2 car lengths, and rejoining the traffic, 3 point (max) turn without touching the curb (When I did it there were no sensors) , parallel parking with max 3 maneuvers and (Examiner will check distance from curb -no walking to the curb, and distance between you are car in front and behind), reversing around a corner, pulling over and pulling away, emergency stop, pulling out from behind a parked vehicle-don’t dare touch any other parked cars, hill start (most test with manual cars so must be able to manage the clutch and not roll back), driving in all traffic conditions. It’s a harrowing experience but you make sure you’re an expert in all those before you go for your test.
I was a nervous wreck and I failed 3 times before getting my license but my American friends have often asked how I park so smoothly-particularly in bays forwards or backwards and parallel parking.
My DH from the UK says the same, that the US driving tests are stupidly easy. He's really good at parallel parking.
Anonymous
01/16/2020 10:01
Subject: Why am I so bad at parking?
I’m a really good parallel parker, I always have been. Yet every time I pull in perfectly I’m still surprised and amazed at myself. I may sound cocky, but it’s the opposite, I keep thinking I shouldn’t be good at it because I’m not particularly amazing at spatial awareness. I know I’m weird 
Anonymous
01/16/2020 09:58
Subject: Why am I so bad at parking?
Me, too! I clearly lack certain spatial skills. I remedy it by being very careful to choose spots away from others, doing it slowly and fixing it until I'm straight and in the middle of the spot.
Anonymous
01/16/2020 09:24
Subject: Why am I so bad at parking?
Ahhhh me too. I will never buy a large car for this reason. A backup camera has helped me.
Anonymous
01/15/2020 23:09
Subject: Re:Why am I so bad at parking?
If you can't park, you're not a good or safe driver.
Anonymous
01/15/2020 23:06
Subject: Why am I so bad at parking?
BTW, you should not rent a car in Europe. Try parallel parking while 10 cars are honking at you!
Anonymous
01/15/2020 23:05
Subject: Why am I so bad at parking?
Are you young? You have a new car? I assume you don't have a rear-view camera? You need to turn and look back when backing in. You need to be far ahead enough and know how to turn the wheel. When parking nose in, you need to go a bit to the right and then move left to the parking spot, or vice versa.
You need to feel you car and know where it end and where it starts. You need practice.
You need to feel you car and know where it end and where it starts. You need practice.
Anonymous
01/15/2020 22:16
Subject: Re:Why am I so bad at parking?
I’m your people too.
I have a high tolerance for walking is how I get by.
I have a high tolerance for walking is how I get by.
Anonymous
01/15/2020 22:09
Subject: Why am I so bad at parking?
I think it’s something where you practice more or get a toy remote control car to understand how to navigate forward and backward with the wheel.
Even though you think you are a safe driver, you probably aren’t. It doesn’t surprise me that so many people are jumping in with regards to bad parking. the lack of spatial awareness also appears when you can’t read traffic at dawn by turning onto a Main Street in front of a car that is going 50mph. Or just suddenly switching lanes right as the car is about to pass you.
Even though you think you are a safe driver, you probably aren’t. It doesn’t surprise me that so many people are jumping in with regards to bad parking. the lack of spatial awareness also appears when you can’t read traffic at dawn by turning onto a Main Street in front of a car that is going 50mph. Or just suddenly switching lanes right as the car is about to pass you.
Anonymous
01/15/2020 20:30
Subject: Why am I so bad at parking?
I think the driving tests in the US are not very comprehensive -just judging from mine when I just arrived and my son’s this summer.
In the UK they are app an hour long. You have to do all the maneuvers perfectly including parking in a parking bay both forward and reversing and tester checks distance between you and cars on either side and then driving or reversing back out,
pulling up on the side of the road, reversing for 2 car lengths, and rejoining the traffic, 3 point (max) turn without touching the curb (When I did it there were no sensors) , parallel parking with max 3 maneuvers and (Examiner will check distance from curb -no walking to the curb, and distance between you are car in front and behind), reversing around a corner, pulling over and pulling away, emergency stop, pulling out from behind a parked vehicle-don’t dare touch any other parked cars, hill start (most test with manual cars so must be able to manage the clutch and not roll back), driving in all traffic conditions. It’s a harrowing experience but you make sure you’re an expert in all those before you go for your test.
I was a nervous wreck and I failed 3 times before getting my license but my American friends have often asked how I park so smoothly-particularly in bays forwards or backwards and parallel parking.
In the UK they are app an hour long. You have to do all the maneuvers perfectly including parking in a parking bay both forward and reversing and tester checks distance between you and cars on either side and then driving or reversing back out,
pulling up on the side of the road, reversing for 2 car lengths, and rejoining the traffic, 3 point (max) turn without touching the curb (When I did it there were no sensors) , parallel parking with max 3 maneuvers and (Examiner will check distance from curb -no walking to the curb, and distance between you are car in front and behind), reversing around a corner, pulling over and pulling away, emergency stop, pulling out from behind a parked vehicle-don’t dare touch any other parked cars, hill start (most test with manual cars so must be able to manage the clutch and not roll back), driving in all traffic conditions. It’s a harrowing experience but you make sure you’re an expert in all those before you go for your test.
I was a nervous wreck and I failed 3 times before getting my license but my American friends have often asked how I park so smoothly-particularly in bays forwards or backwards and parallel parking.
Anonymous
01/15/2020 20:24
Subject: Why am I so bad at parking?
I used to feel the same way, OP. Then my child started seeing a therapist whose office had a very small parking lot - it forced me to take the kind of spots I usually would have avoided. I joked that it was really parking therapy for me.
Anonymous
01/15/2020 20:21
Subject: Why am I so bad at parking?
Another vote for spatial awareness issues
Anonymous
01/15/2020 20:10
Subject: Re:Why am I so bad at parking?
i hate turning left on green without a turn signal.
Anonymous
01/15/2020 20:08
Subject: Re:Why am I so bad at parking?
I'm a bit claustrophobic and get anxious in tight parking situations particularly parking garages. I did get better at parallel parking recently by reading tips online and practicing over and over again. Still not perfect but I'm willing to do it with other people in the car when I used to be too embarrassed.
Anonymous
01/15/2020 19:57
Subject: Why am I so bad at parking?
Anonymous wrote:It’s not you. Wheels are not straight. Always blame the car, other drivers, weather, PMS...
love it! That would be a man's response.