The Burrow
Sep 9, 2025
Few driving moments inspire as much dread as parallel parking. For new learners and seasoned motorists alike, squeezing into a tight space between two cars is one of the most anxiety-inducing manoeuvres on the road. It’s not just about precision, as there’s also the pressure of watching traffic build up behind you, the fear of scratching a neighbour’s vehicle, and the lingering doubt about whether you really know how to park in such a confined space.
Every day, thousands of people around the world turn to search engines for guidance on parallel parking, proving it’s a challenge that transcends borders. But where is this anxiety felt most strongly? To find out, the car insurance comparison experts at Compare the Market analysed which countries and cities show the highest levels of concern around parking, uncovering hotspots across the globe where drivers struggle most with this notorious parking requirement.
Our study ranked 40 countries by their levels of parallel parking anxiety. Each country was scored on search activity and social media sentiment, which were normalised and combined into a total score out of 100. Countries were then ranked from most anxious to least anxious.
Let’s look at which drivers stress the most about parallel parking.
To see the results of our 2024 study, click here.
When it comes to parallel parking, some places feel the pressure more than others. By analysing search activity and sentiment around how to park, we’ve identified the global hotspots where drivers struggle most.
Canada tops the global Parallel Parking Anxiety Index, scoring 87.35 overall out of a possible 100. With 5.38 searches per 1,000 people for parallel parking related terms, Canadian drivers are seeking guidance more than most. Sentiment towards the manoeuvre is also low, with a score of just 33/100, showing that for many motorists, parking remains a frustrating and stressful experience. Whether it’s icy winters, busy urban centres or the sheer challenge of the manoeuvre itself, Canada stands out as the global hotspot for parallel parking nerves.
In second place is the United Arab Emirates, with an index score of 72.73. Drivers here search for tips on how to park the most of any other country within the study (5.47 searches per 1,000 people), suggesting a strong desire to master the skill. However, sentiment is notably higher than Canada’s at 50/100, hinting that though UAE motorists may struggle, they maintain a more balanced attitude towards parallel parking overall.
Singapore ranks third, with a Parallel Parking Anxiety Index of 61.43. The city-state has 3.39 searches per 1,000 people for how to parallel park, reflecting steady demand for advice in its densely populated urban environment. Sentiment here sits at 41.5/100, placing Singapore between Canada and the UAE in terms of how drivers feel about the task. With space at a premium and road conditions often busy, it’s no surprise that parallel parking is a common source of stress for Singaporean drivers.
Rounding out the global top ten are Belgium (score of 57.90), Japan (56.86), Poland (56.25), Ireland (54.86), the US (54.53), the UK (53.92) – and at number 10 is Australia (53.82). Though their overall scores vary, the pattern is clear in that drivers are frequently turning to search engines for advice on how to park, signalling widespread uncertainty and nerves about tackling it.
What stands out across this group is not just the volume of searches but the consistently low sentiment scores, with the lowest being Belgium at 20/100 (compared to 50/100 in Australia).
Together, these countries highlight that the challenge of parallel parking is a truly global issue, uniting drivers in their anxiety no matter the road conditions, infrastructure or culture of driving.
Within the United States, parallel parking anxiety varies dramatically from city to city.
At the top of the list is Atlanta, ranked #1 nationwide with a Parallel Parking Anxiety Index of 81.00 out of 100. Drivers here carry out a huge 54.78 searches per 1,000 people and sentiment is low at 38/100, underlining the stress levels around this everyday parking manoeuvre.
Very close behind is Boston, with an index score of 80.15. Residents make 50.01 searches per 1,000 people and sentiment dips to 31/100. This suggests that while Bostonians search for advice slightly less than Atlantans, their frustration with parking is even more pronounced.
Despite its chilled-out vibes, Honolulu has a Parallel Parking Anxiety Index score of 64.52, putting it at number three in the USA. Drivers here have 0/100 sentiment towards it, which is matched only by Denver (Colorado), Columbus (Ohio) and Dallas (Texas).
Other notable cities such as Denver (score of 59.84), Pittsburgh (59.60), Detroit (55.63), Columbus (51.18), Dallas (50.22), Tulsa (47.08) and Baltimore (46.71) also show high anxiety levels. By contrast, cities like Albuquerque (14.08) and Nashville (5.92) appear far less concerned, highlighting how attitudes towards parallel parking can significantly differ across US urban areas.
In Australia, the biggest search volumes for how to parallel park come from the country’s two largest cities. Sydney leads with 19,340 searches (equivalent to 4.18 per 1,000 people), closely followed by Melbourne with 19,200 searches (4.52 per 1,000). These figures show how drivers in Australia’s busiest urban centres are most likely to seek help with parking in tight spaces.
Looking more closely at suburban hotspots reveals even sharper levels of anxiety. Hoppers Crossing tops the list with 27.82 searches per 1,000 people, followed by Werribee (21.46) and Blacktown (16.41). These results suggest that in areas where car ownership is high and street space is often limited, the challenge of parallel parking becomes a particularly pressing concern for everyday drivers.
Meanwhile, some cities have relatively low search volumes per 1,000 people, such as Logan City (3.82), Brisbane (3.71), Perth (3.02) and Wollongong (2.77). The city with the fewest searches is Launceston, with just 2.17 per 1,000 people.
Accidents happen and hitting a parked car can be stressful, but staying calm and following the right steps is crucial.
Finally, notify your insurance provider as soon as possible to ensure the incident is properly logged and managed.
Executive General Manager of General Insurance, Adrian Taylor, explains why choosing an appropriate level of car insurance is so crucial.
“Car insurance is a level of protection for you, your vehicle and others on the road,” Mr Taylor said.
“Even a minor incident, such as clipping a parked car while attempting to parallel park, can lead to costly repairs.
“Comprehensive cover ensures that you’re not left footing the bill, while also giving peace of mind that you’re protected against unexpected expenses.
“When looking to take out insurance, it’s important to shop around and compare your options to find a great deal for you and your lifestyle.”
Always check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Target Market Determination (TMD) prior to purchasing a policy, so you are aware of any limits, restrictions or exclusions.
This dataset ranks 40 countries on their parallel-parking anxiety (countries selected based on data availability). For each country, two factors were collected and normalised to a score between 0 and 1. The normalised values were then combined to give every country a total score out of 100, and countries were ranked from highest (most anxious) to lowest (least anxious).
Supplementary analysis:
The factors used were:
Factors were weighted as follows:
Indexing rules:
All data is accurate as of 08/08/2025 and comes from multiple sources. Tools such as DataForSEO and Brandwatch apply proprietary collection and classification algorithms; rankings reflect these sources but may not capture every real-life detail.