Hi, new here and asking for advice
Discussion
Ah ok, thanks ssray.
Moved house, have a drive but struggling to use it. I’m on a very busy main road, my house is on the corner with another road directly next to me at the side and another opposite to that road. There’s no room to turn around on my drive so I’m trying to sort that by extending the drive but even then I can’t see how I’m going to manoeuvre off and on. I will have to drive nose out and nose in hence the drive extension. People park directly opposite my drive and they were here before me. I’m guessing a diagram would be really helpful at this point! Is it possible to upload one? My brother is a confident driver and even he struggled while there was just one car opposite.
I parked on the road across from me but was shouted at by a bloke who said it was his parking space then another neighbour came around asking why I didn’t use my car much. I’m feeling pretty crap right now and thinking I’m going to end up getting rid of my car. Retired woman if that means much.
Moved house, have a drive but struggling to use it. I’m on a very busy main road, my house is on the corner with another road directly next to me at the side and another opposite to that road. There’s no room to turn around on my drive so I’m trying to sort that by extending the drive but even then I can’t see how I’m going to manoeuvre off and on. I will have to drive nose out and nose in hence the drive extension. People park directly opposite my drive and they were here before me. I’m guessing a diagram would be really helpful at this point! Is it possible to upload one? My brother is a confident driver and even he struggled while there was just one car opposite.
I parked on the road across from me but was shouted at by a bloke who said it was his parking space then another neighbour came around asking why I didn’t use my car much. I’m feeling pretty crap right now and thinking I’m going to end up getting rid of my car. Retired woman if that means much.
andy43 said:
Drive turntable? Convex mirrors on the gateposts? Or just add a few tonnes of gravel (not sure on the planning aspect of this) to give more space for manoeuvring.
Once the drive has been extended/widened I will be able to turn around on it. I will have to nose out quite far just to see what traffic is coming. Once out, coming back probably means I won’t be able to get back on again due to the parked cars opposite as other cars park up later. Sorry, it’s probably an impossible question I’m asking! 
Firstly, welcome! Most posters here will try to give you balanced advice. Some will do so with a bit of humour.
As far as shouty bloke is concerned, if “his space,” is on the public road and is not actually included in the deeds of his property, then it is NOT his space. Chances are he has just got used to using it and is trying to intimidate other road users not to! If this is the case, then it is first come, first served and if you beat him to it, then you can use it. However, be prepared for him pushing back and it will depend on how much you are prepared to confront him to establish the fact that the space is open to anyone with a car that is taxed, insured and has an MOT.
With respect to your driveway issue. I had a similar issue with my first house. I quickly realised that driving on and reversing off was going to be a nightmare. So I got into the habit of reversing on and driving off. Sometimes, I had to park on the road and wait for the traffic to die down before reversing onto my drive, on a couple of occasions when the traffic was really bad, I would park up, go and have my meal and park on the drive when the rush hour had subsided.
Good luck, I hope you find a satisfactory solution.
As far as shouty bloke is concerned, if “his space,” is on the public road and is not actually included in the deeds of his property, then it is NOT his space. Chances are he has just got used to using it and is trying to intimidate other road users not to! If this is the case, then it is first come, first served and if you beat him to it, then you can use it. However, be prepared for him pushing back and it will depend on how much you are prepared to confront him to establish the fact that the space is open to anyone with a car that is taxed, insured and has an MOT.
With respect to your driveway issue. I had a similar issue with my first house. I quickly realised that driving on and reversing off was going to be a nightmare. So I got into the habit of reversing on and driving off. Sometimes, I had to park on the road and wait for the traffic to die down before reversing onto my drive, on a couple of occasions when the traffic was really bad, I would park up, go and have my meal and park on the drive when the rush hour had subsided.
Good luck, I hope you find a satisfactory solution.
[quote=AlexC1981]If you can widen your driveway entrance you might find it easier to make the turn when reversing off. Lots of people are kind enough to let a car out that is being reversed off a driveway, once it is half over the pavement.
Maybe get a Smart car?
I have something very similar to a smart car! I was looking at cutting the hedge to widen the driveway at the bottom too but the dropped kerb is still only narrow and I will definitely have to drive out at an angle. I’ll look again at that, thank you.
Maybe get a Smart car?
I have something very similar to a smart car! I was looking at cutting the hedge to widen the driveway at the bottom too but the dropped kerb is still only narrow and I will definitely have to drive out at an angle. I’ll look again at that, thank you.
cayman-black said:
Neighbours sound nice and helpful, shouting at a woman disgusting.
Indeed. Such types seem to believe the 'space' outside their house is theirs. Until not too long ago, opposite Mum & Dads was one, home made 'no parking' sign on 'his' strip of grass et all. When ever I went over theirs and he was out in his car I took delight in parking there. Not in a being a git way, but I can't abide bullies, and it's symptomatic behaviour of one. He shuffled off last summer.As for your woes, as others say, put up a picture, even if a rudimentary one. We're not here to judge your art skills, but it paints a thousand words n all that.
How good are you at reversing? It is always preferable to reverse in. When you approach home (or any parking spot), you have a good vision of the traffic around and ahead of you. More so than when you pull out.
Slow down, and signal enough to let people know what you are doing.
Have the door mirrors adjusted (or ready to be adjusted) so that you can see any ground or posts that you need to have as a guide, or to avoid as you reverse in. If necessary, add any extra guides on the ground to help with the view in the mirror (a sunken paving slab, for example).
Practise in an empty car park, or similar to get proficient.
Slow down, and signal enough to let people know what you are doing.
Have the door mirrors adjusted (or ready to be adjusted) so that you can see any ground or posts that you need to have as a guide, or to avoid as you reverse in. If necessary, add any extra guides on the ground to help with the view in the mirror (a sunken paving slab, for example).
Practise in an empty car park, or similar to get proficient.
You will likely find you soon get used to it - go in and out at non rush hour times to get used to it, and remember everyone has to wait for you even if you need to do a seven point turn it's their problem not yours so long as you've indicated properly.
My parents have a driveway that's awful - sheer 10ft drop on one side and a solid wall on the other with very little leeway, newcomers won't even attempt it but you get used to pointing your nose in exactly there and turning the wheel exactly the same amount every time etc until you can do it in one go!
My parents have a driveway that's awful - sheer 10ft drop on one side and a solid wall on the other with very little leeway, newcomers won't even attempt it but you get used to pointing your nose in exactly there and turning the wheel exactly the same amount every time etc until you can do it in one go!
Jaska said:
everyone has to wait for you even if you need to do a seven point turn it's their problem not yours so long as you've indicated properly.
To add to this. If there is a husband/partner/friendly neighbour about, feel free to utilise them, to A) guide you out when it's clear, and B) stop any traffic on the road when you're exiting.
....... 
Rose 541, your situation sounds very similar to a friend of ours. After her divorce she was having to get a largish car that she had never been happy driving, in and out of a tight driveway onto a busy road. Part of the problem was that her ex had always been unjustly critical of her driving, so she lacked a lot of confidence, and because he had done most of the driving, she lacked regular practice, although that improved after the divorce.
Changing to a car, a 2009 Fiat Panda, which was taller, so she sat higher up and had better a better view, was shorter, had plenty of visibility from the driver's seat and was easier to judge where the corners were helped a lot, although clearly a car change may not be an option for you right now.
What you need is confidence to be able to park the car using all the available space, but without contacting other cars, gateposts, walls etc. So how about phoning around a few driving instructors, explain the issue and find one with whom you feel empathy, and explain that you just want to work on this particular manoeuvere? Ideally an instructor of around the same height as you so they have exactly the same view as you do when parking. The cost of a couple of lessons is a small price to pay compared to damaging your own car, or worse still, someone else's.
If you can get the instructor to demonstrate in your car how they would reverse into your drive, then if you can see where they are positioning it, you will know it can be done and will be more confident doing it yourself. If they are happy to repeat this a few times while you film it, you can watch it over and over again until it is clear to you where the car was at each point in the sequence.
When the road is at its most quiet, practice, practice and practice.
One more thing, if in the early stages you are getting a friend to guide you in, get them to stand where you can clearly see them and to show the distance to the nearest obstacle with the space between their hands and whilst calling the distance, e.g. 'two feet, 'one foot', 'six inches'. Just shouting stop when you are about to contact something doesn't help much.
Changing to a car, a 2009 Fiat Panda, which was taller, so she sat higher up and had better a better view, was shorter, had plenty of visibility from the driver's seat and was easier to judge where the corners were helped a lot, although clearly a car change may not be an option for you right now.
What you need is confidence to be able to park the car using all the available space, but without contacting other cars, gateposts, walls etc. So how about phoning around a few driving instructors, explain the issue and find one with whom you feel empathy, and explain that you just want to work on this particular manoeuvere? Ideally an instructor of around the same height as you so they have exactly the same view as you do when parking. The cost of a couple of lessons is a small price to pay compared to damaging your own car, or worse still, someone else's.
If you can get the instructor to demonstrate in your car how they would reverse into your drive, then if you can see where they are positioning it, you will know it can be done and will be more confident doing it yourself. If they are happy to repeat this a few times while you film it, you can watch it over and over again until it is clear to you where the car was at each point in the sequence.
When the road is at its most quiet, practice, practice and practice.
One more thing, if in the early stages you are getting a friend to guide you in, get them to stand where you can clearly see them and to show the distance to the nearest obstacle with the space between their hands and whilst calling the distance, e.g. 'two feet, 'one foot', 'six inches'. Just shouting stop when you are about to contact something doesn't help much.
Edited by GliderRider on Monday 1st April 20:00
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