New ‘B’ plates launch for British drivers to crack down on poor parking – ‘Ask for patience’

Drivers have been made aware of a new ‘B Plate’ which has been launched to help motorists identify themselves as being particularly poor at parking.

The cheeky red-on-white plate, featuring the letter ‘B’ for bad parking, has been introduced following research into drivers’ parking abilities.

The initiative aims to encourage motorists to be open about their parking challenges and seek additional guidance to improve their skills.

Similar to how ‘P’ plates allow new drivers to request patience from other road users, the ‘B’ plate system enables drivers to acknowledge their parking difficulties and ask for understanding from fellow motorists.

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The launch comes as research reveals that nearly half of UK drivers feel they would benefit from additional parking training or assistance.

According to the research, 17 per cent of drivers have experienced stress or worry about having to park their car. A third of motorists (30 per cent) admit to spending extra time searching for parking bays with free spaces on both sides, avoiding spots between other vehicles.

The findings highlight that while poorly parked cars can be frustrating for others, the anxiety of parking can be even more challenging for those lacking confidence.

This “park-phobia” appears to stem from inadequate training during the learning process. Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of drivers believe they weren’t taught well enough when it came to parking manoeuvres.

The issue is particularly apparent among younger drivers, with 74 per cent of motorists aged between 17 and 24 saying they could benefit from additional guidance.

David Kottaun, Operations Manager at Scrap Car Comparison, comments: “No matter where you are in the world, you’ll come across an example of bad parking, but it seems this isn’t something to simply shake your head at, as many drivers are experiencing stress and embarrassment when parking their cars.”

Research by the company has revealed which car owners are most likely to need parking assistance. BMW owners top the list, with 68 per cent feeling their parking skills could be improved.

The study showed German luxury car manufacturers dominating the rankings for drivers needing additional parking training. Audi owners come second, with 64 per cent admitting they could benefit from more parking guidance.

Mercedes-Benz drivers rank third, with 63 per cent expressing a need for parking assistance. Honda and Toyota complete the top five, with 63 per cent and 51 per cent of their owners respectively indicating they need further training.

Other mainstream brands including Kia, Citroën, Ford, Hyundai and Fiat round out the top ten, with between 45 and 48 per cent of their owners acknowledging parking difficulties.

Kottaun added: “Just like a ‘P’ plate enables new drivers to ask for patience from other road users, our ‘B’ plates will give people the chance to hold their hands up, say sorry and ask for forgiveness.

“Often, good parking comes down to staying calm, remembering what you were taught in your driving lessons and taking each turn of the wheel, step by step.”

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