Can you park?

[OldJohnnyYen]

Picked up a used qashqai last night, couldn't get it on the drive so I had to get the wife to help. She reversed it on first time my neighbours think it's hilarious, I leave my car on the road and the wife uses the drive.

Can you park? It's a nightmare for me. I can't be the only one?

[naw]

You're certainly not the only one but you may be the only man to be prepared to admit it. (I drive a supermini so have never had any issues)

[speedking31]

"Practice makes perfect".

I have to admit that the wife's Yaris has a peculiar mirror / angled sides combination that makes it very difficult to reverse in a straight line, maybe you can use that excuse.

[mnkiboy]

Spent 10 years living on a narrow busy street with on street parking. It taught me to park.

Reversing on to a drive - how hard can it be?

[Riley Blue]

I learnt to park before I took my test. Doesn't that get taught anymore?

[BOBTEE]

I drive a Transit for work and can put it anywhere, cars, not so much!

[Shaoxter]

Yes, but have become very reliant on parking sensors...

[Mr Ben]

Ha ha...

This struck a chord with me.

After living in a flat for 7 years with allocated parking spaces, earlier this year we moved into a row of cottages with on street parking out the front.

Having to parallel park for the first time in a long while.. The first few days were, interesting

[HTP99]

I have worked in the motor trade for 13 odd years, I am moving and manouvering (sp?) cars daily so yes I can park and I'm pretty good at it.

[The Nur]

Yes, yes I can. Not always very well but mostly enough to consider it "parked".

[mike-r]

Not really, I normally give it my best lazy effort and ditch it.

[eybic]

I like to think I can drive quite well but openly admit I am shocking at parking.

[Vladimir]

Stranglely the cop course I did had some parking content; it was SO handy!
I do still park badly sometimes and so laugh at myself.

[ZesPak]

1. When I learned to drive I could park pretty well
2. Living with my parents, simple garage, at work no need for "parallel parking", I quickly forgot
3. Moving to a house in the city, job in the city I had to learn and it becomes a routine
4. Having garages now, and taking the bike when I need to be in the city, I know I'm not that good at it anymore

In short: practice is all it is imho.

[Pixelpeep]

Lived in big open spaces most of my driving life so never really had to learn to park.

Mate of mine grew up in Manor Park - the guy can get in spaces that don't look like spaces to me. Jealous as hell!

Been driving 15 odd years and only just now starting to 'get' reverse parking.

[Triumph Man]

I can reverse park into a parking space pretty damn well, I've only ever driven large saloons so a dab hand at parking a larger car. I secretly like it when people are struggling to park a supermini and I swiftly reverse the Beemer straight and true first time.

However -

I will admit I'm quite rusty at parallel parking. I don't often have to do it, so don't practice. It (was) my secret shame. Those people I mentioned above? They probably enjoy watching me hamming up my parallel parking.

Edited by Triumph Man on Wednesday 2nd April 10:08

[Mercury00]

I think I can park quite well, and it's not something I ever really think about. My gf refuses to reverse into a parking space as she's scared of driving backwards, whereas I will reverse into a space whenever possible.

[TheJimi]

Yes, I can, although I'd say my talents are a bit mercurial. Sometimes I'll make a complete and utter mess of it for no good reason

Slightly related, the easiest car to park that I've driven has been a 4th Gen Prelude with 4WS - ridiculously easy to park!

ETA: The MX5 with the roof down is also a joy to park.

Edited by TheJimi on Wednesday 2nd April 10:11

[djfaulkner]

Depends on the vehicle

Transit van - yes
Focus - yes
Vectra - yes

Jeep Cherokee - Nope

[Axionknight]

I'm not bad at all, the only time I struggled was when I first owned my S2000, so I simply put the roof down to assist visibility!