Cars Are Becoming Too Large for Parking Spaces, and This Will Be an Issue.

      Anucha Sirivisansuwan via Getty Images

      Bigger doesn’t always mean better. There, I've said it. Have you recently attempted to park a full-size truck in a parking garage? Besides the height issues, once you find a spot, will it even accommodate your vehicle? Sadly, the answer is often no these days. One of the many repercussions of cars becoming oversized is that numerous parking spaces are now too small, prompting businesses and municipalities globally to devise solutions.

      “Many of our city center parking spaces are underutilized simply because they are too narrow for contemporary vehicles,” stated Colchester City Council member Martin Goss to BBC News regarding their investment in repainting lines in two city-owned parking lots. How gracious of them to avoid using the lots altogether. We often end up parking over the line because what other alternatives do we have? Public transport? That’s just not an option for many.

      “By widening the bays in St. Mary’s and enhancing access to St. John’s car parks – along with other renovations – we will not only increase accessibility but also prepare for future needs as part of our wider regeneration initiatives,” Goss explained.

      Toyota

      Let’s be honest: vehicles are getting larger. This isn’t limited to just the previously mentioned pickup trucks or uniquely shaped Cybertrucks. Even compact cars aren’t really compact anymore. Take the Toyota Corolla, for instance. Between 2000 and 2025, the world’s best-selling car grew by 8.3 inches in length, 3.4 inches in width, and 2 inches in height. It now weighs 529 pounds more yet still only accommodates five occupants.

      Several factors contribute to the increasing size of vehicles. One significant reason is safety regulations that mandate more equipment. Additionally, consumers are seeking more – more comfort, more technology, more quiet. Compared to our ancestors, we are indeed taller and heavier, but we are also living longer. However, vehicles may be much larger than necessary.

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      “The issue is mainly that modern vehicles are wider due to the implementation of side impact protection technology,” argues Simon Williams, head of policy for the RAC (the UK’s equivalent of the DMV). “After searching for parking, it can be frustrating for drivers to find there isn’t enough space to exit the vehicle, especially if they have family with them, face mobility challenges, or need room for a wheelchair.”

      All of this resonates with me. When I drive my aging parents around, I am particularly mindful of where I park. Will they be able to open the door wide enough for easy entry and exit? Can they do so without potentially scratching the car next to us? Is the distance to walk manageable for them? More often than not, I’ll drop them off right in front of their destination and deal with the parking anxiety on my own.

      I suppose we can't expect automakers to downsize their vehicles anytime soon. Reverting to older dimensions isn’t practical either. The straightforward and economical (though not entirely cheap) solution involves redesigning existing parking lanes. However, this would reduce the already limited availability of parking spaces in major cities. Newly built lots and garages should accommodate both current and future vehicle sizes from the start, something that Australia is already addressing. There is one no-cost, quick solution: learn how to reverse park.