We’ve all been there – you've spent the first 30 minutes of your beach trip circling for a parking space. You’ve slowly followed multiple beachgoers to scope out whether they’re leaving or simply coming back to the car to grab a forgotten towel. Finally, a space opens up... but it’s going to take some worldclass manoeurving to get into. Cars are waiting, and you feel like everyone’s watching as you reverse and straighten up over and over again. The radio’s suddenly too loud, and it feels like you’ve suddenly forgotten how to park.
The thing is, you’re not alone in this experience. Feeling stressed on the roads may affect confidence or decision-making and can add to the pressure drivers experience when parking.
To better understand Australia's parking habits and anxieties, we surveyed more than 1,000 Australian drivers to uncover the situations motorists find most challenging – and what they're willing to tolerate to secure the perfect parking spot.
The results reveal that parking nerves are more common than you might expect. So, how are Australians faring in the great Australian parking struggle?
Aussie’s biggest parking concerns
Whether it's searching for a parking space during the busy Christmas shopping rush or trying to maneuver into a space without holding up traffic, parking can be challenging regardless of age or driving experience.
Almost three-quarters of Australian drivers (72%) say they find parking challenging to some degree, highlighting just how common parking-related stress is.
When it comes to the most stressful aspects of parking, Australians ranked the following as their top concerns:
- Fitting into a tight space – 54%
- Holding up traffic or other drivers – 34%
- Difficult parking maneuvers – 33%
Unsurprisingly, reverse parallel parking tops the list of the most intimidating parking maneuvers, with 36% of Australians naming it as their most stressful parking situation.
At a state level, those in NSW are slightly less likely to say that difficult parking maneuvers make them feel stressed (29%) compared to other states, with 37% of those in both Victoria and Queensland rating this in their top two most stressful aspects.
Parking anxiety hotspots
So where do Australians feel the most pressure when parking?
Almost half (47%) say parking on a busy main road is the most stressful location. Fast-moving traffic, impatient drivers, pedestrians and general street activity can all add to the pressure.
Other commonly cited parking hotspots include:
- Shopping centre car parks – 44%
- City streets – 40%
- Steep driveways – 20%
These stress hotspots reinforce that parking anxiety is often heightened in busy, highly visible environments where drivers feel rushed or scrutinised.
By comparison, stress is much lower in settings with less visibility, with only 20% citing steep driveways as a stress hotspot, with a further 11% mentioning neighbourhood streets. Just 4% say their own driveway or garage makes them feel stressed.
When parking becomes a spectator sport....
Parking can be difficult enough without feeling like you're being watched.
The most stressful parking scenario for Australians is having vehicles waiting behind them, with 40% identifying it as their top concern. Reverse parallel parking follows closely behind at 36%, while nearly one-third (32%) report feeling stressed when parking in unfamiliar locations.
For many drivers, it's the feeling of being rushed that creates the most pressure.
This is particularly true for the 18% of Australians who say they're worried about making a mistake. When people are watching and waiting, parking can feel like performing on stage in front of an audience.
When those anxious feelings of being watched start bubbling up, it’s very easy to make mistakes and misjudgments. For 37% of Aussie drivers surveyed, they find parking stressful due to worrying about damaging their own and other people’s cars, while around one in six (16%) say that their stress is due to a lack of confidence in their parking abilities.
When it’s more than just a parallel park
Parking concerns don't just affect drivers when they arrive at their destination – they can also influence how people plan their day.
Almost half of Australians (45%) say they've chosen to park further away than intended to avoid a challenging parking situation.
Other ways parking anxiety shapes behaviour include:
- Leaving early to allow extra time to find a space – 35%
- Researching parking options in advance – 25%
- Arriving late due to parking difficulties – 25%
Despite these concerns, most Australians don't let parking stop them entirely, with only 11% saying they have avoided or skipped an event because of parking worries.
Overcoming your parking woes
The next time you start to feel nervous behind the wheel or find yourself in a tricky parking position, here are some helpful reminders:
- Everyone can feel nervous behind the wheel. These feelings are completely normal, and chances are you’re not alone in having them.
- If you're feeling overwhelmed, it's okay to safely pull over when possible and take a moment to regroup.
- If you're feeling unsure and have a trusted licensed passenger with you, consider swapping drivers if it's safe and appropriate to do so.
These feelings can be especially common for learner drivers, who are still developing their confidence and experience on the road. Whether you're supervising a learner or currently learning yourself, remember that parking is a skill that takes time, practice and patience to master.
If you're in the learning-to-drive stage – or simply looking to refresh your parking skills – there are plenty of ways to prepare before getting behind the wheel. Starting in quieter locations, practising regularly, and becoming familiar with your vehicle can all help make parking feel less intimidating over time.
Regardless of where you are on your driving journey, revisiting and practising key skills is one of the best ways to feel more comfortable behind the wheel. Like any driving skill, parking becomes easier with experience, and building confidence over time can make even the most challenging parking situations feel more manageable.
Explore what the data says about Aussie parking anxiety
Disclaimer
Data for the Parking Anxiety study was sourced from a survey conducted by Ideally between 13 July 2026 to 14 July 2026, involving 1,002 drivers aged 18 years old and above, from all states and territories within Australia. Some percentages have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Survey results have not been independently verified by Youi and may not be representative of the general population. Youi makes no representation or warranty of any kind of the accuracy, adequacy, reliability, or completeness of the data and accepts no liability for any loss or damage of any kind suffered as a result of the use of or reliance on the data. Individual experiences may vary.
