A new 'B' plate has been introduced for drivers who struggle with parking, giving them a way to let other road users know they might need a bit more space and time in parking lots.
Much like the red and white L plates that learners must display or the green P plates for new drivers, the B plate is aimed at those who admit they’re not great at parking. It’s designed to help reduce stress by encouraging other drivers to be more patient and give extra room when parking.
Launched by Scrap Car Comparison (not the Department for Transport), the B plate stands for 'bad parking' and is already available for free through the company’s website for those interested. If the response is strong, it could be made widely available next year.
However, not everyone is on board. Road safety groups argue that instead of drawing attention to poor parking, drivers should focus on improving their skills through extra training. Research from Scrap Car Comparison revealed that nearly half of all drivers think they could benefit from more parking practice. A quarter of those surveyed said they weren’t taught enough about parking during driving lessons, and three-quarters of young drivers (17-24) feel they could use more guidance.
The B plate aims to support those with 'park-phobia'—the anxiety that some drivers feel when trying to park—and help them overcome it. It’s believed that this fear often stems from a lack of confidence during the learning process. Scrap Car Comparison hopes that these plates will encourage drivers to face their parking struggles and consider additional training.
Though it’s not mandatory, the B plate has sparked debate about whether it could confuse other drivers or create distractions. According to the Department for Transport, as long as the plate doesn’t obscure lights or number plates, it’s legal to display. Still, some experts feel it might be more beneficial to invest in refresher lessons than to advertise parking issues with a plate.
Ultimately, while the B plate might give drivers the space to acknowledge their parking struggles, road safety experts suggest investing in further lessons could be the most effective way to improve parking skills and boost confidence.
