Reaction to the new trick of the B plate so that drivers warn that they are terrible at a type of maneuver

A new ‘B’ plate has been launched that drivers can display on their cars to inform other road users that they are terrible at a type of manoeuvre.

Like the red and white L plates that students must by law place on their vehicles before passing the exam, and the green P plate for those who have recently obtained their license, motorists who are particularly bad at a driving action. Order one and then place it in your vehicles.

The B stands for “bad parking” and is aimed at motorists who find it difficult to maneuver into a space in the hope of encouraging others to give them more time and space in car parks.

The plate, which has been launched by Scrap Car Comparison, is now available for drivers to display on their vehicles.

However, road safety groups criticized its availability and said drivers should seek additional training rather than draw attention to their poor driving with a B license plate.

This follows research by comparison website which found that almost half of drivers feel they could benefit from more training or assistance when it comes to parking.

One in six drivers say they have experienced stress or worry about having to park their car and almost a third spend more time looking for a space in a car park that has unoccupied spaces on both sides, rather than trying to get into one flanked by other vehicles. . .

Scrap Car Comparison says it is already offering a “limited number of B license plate stickers to interested drivers for free” through a “register of interest” form on its website.

“Based on interest levels, the brand will aim to make them widely available in 2025,” he said.

It is believed the plates will help those with “park phobia”, an anxiety caused by the inability to park on the side of the road or in a designated bay.

He says this is probably due to a ‘Lack of confidence during the process of learning to drive’.

Almost a quarter (23 per cent) of the 1,391 drivers surveyed said they had not been taught well enough when it came to parking manoeuvres, and three quarters of newly qualified drivers aged 17 to 24 say who could benefit from further guidance.

And this despite parking being a key element in driving lessons and a requirement during the practical test.

An examiner will need the student to successfully complete one of three exercises to pass the driving test: parallel parking on the side of the road; park in a parking space; or stop on the right side of the road before backing up for approximately two vehicle lengths.

Scrap Car Comparison says it hopes the new B-plate stickers “will make a difference and encourage drivers to take ownership of their parking problems.”

David Kottaun, operations manager at the comparison site, said: “No matter where in the world you are, you will come across an example of bad parking, but it seems this is not something to just shake your head at, like many Los Drivers experience stress and embarrassment when parking their cars.

“Just as a P plate allows new drivers to ask other road users for patience, our B plates will give people the opportunity to put their hands up, say sorry and say sorry, if they know their parking leaves a lot to be desired. .

“We hope the plates will also encourage drivers to seek additional parking guidance to boost their confidence, because while poor parking can often be simply frustrating, it can also be dangerous if a car is left too far down the road. .so it will need to be addressed.

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

Is it legal to display the B plate on your car?

This is Money contacted the Department of Transport to find out if it is legal to display the B plate that is made available to drivers on a car.

A DfT spokesperson told us: ‘B plates are permitted as long as they do not obscure any lights, mirrors or number plates, and do not distract other drivers.

“Drivers must follow the guidelines of the Highway code to ensure they can park safely and without impeding other road users.’

One motor industry expert told us that they are probably considered legal in the eyes of the DfT because they can be argued to be a non-offensive “bumper sticker”.

Interestingly, because the L plate is mandatory for students, there is legal guidance on your size.

However, the P plate does not have the same rules simply because it is optional, which is probably the same case for the new defective parking plate.

Despite Scrap Car Comparison’s claims that the B plate is designed to help those who struggle to park competently, it has already received criticism from road safety charities.

IAM RoadSmart policy and standards director Nicholas Lyes said: “While the intention is commendable, unofficial plates can confuse other drivers because they don’t understand what they mean.”

“If you think you need to improve your parking skills, it would be better to invest in post-test training, rather than showing it to others on the road.”

Jack Cousens of The AA added: “Every journey ends with the car parked, so being able to stop it safely and properly is key.”

‘This just reiterates how important it is to learn how to park correctly.

“Instead of getting these ‘license plates’, drivers who are still nervous about parking could invest in an extra driving lesson to gain confidence when parallel or bay parking.”