A growing number of younger drivers say they experience acute anxiety around parallel parking and using petrol pumps, prompting widespread avoidance of tricky manoeuvres and, in some cases, greater reliance on ride-hailing and passengers.
A recent Cazoo survey found that 96% of Gen Z respondents reported feeling anxious when parking, and two-thirds said they have asked a friend or parent to park their car for them, compared with 14% of Baby Boomers. The Times reported that 62% of Gen Z drivers actively avoid filling up at petrol stations because they worry about parking close enough to the pump or selecting the wrong fuel.
The trend has drawn attention on social media. A TikTok clip by user Samantha Longton showing visible distress before an attempted parallel park attracted hundreds of thousands of views and likes, with viewers responding that they would rather walk or leave than attempt such spaces. Comments on the post included, "If I can't pull into a space I'm leaving" and "I'll park a 20-minute walk away before I try to parallel park."
Researchers and commentators point to a mix of technological, cultural and economic factors behind the behaviour. Many Gen Z drivers learned to drive in cars equipped with reversing cameras and parking sensors, changing the set of practical skills they practise. At the same time, the rising cost of petrol makes the prospect of misfuelling or inefficient filling more costly. One news article recounted a driver who said she preferred to run out of fuel on a motorway rather than handle the petrol nozzle, later facing additional stress when speaking with roadside assistance.
The phenomenon has also been framed in cultural terms. Lifestyle coverage and social-media discussion have popularised phrases such as "passenger princess" to describe younger people who prefer to be driven rather than drive themselves, and references to "main character energy" to describe a focus on digital social life that can reduce in-person activities requiring travel. Coverage in online outlets has noted that younger drivers are more likely to use apps such as Uber for travel and TikTok for socialising, potentially lessening the perceived need to master parking.
Generational comparisons feature prominently in commentary. Older drivers often recall learning to perform a wider set of vehicle manoeuvres without the aid of cameras or sensors, and cultural touchstones of past decades emphasised mechanical independence behind the wheel. Survey data cited by market analysts indicate a clear gap between age groups in both self-reported confidence and behavioural adjustments, such as asking others to park or avoiding certain driving tasks.
Industry observers say the shift has implications for automobile manufacturers, driving instructors and urban planners. As vehicle-assist technologies become more standard, some drivers may never gain hands-on experience with skills such as three-point turns and manual-reverse judgement. Meanwhile, increasing reliance on ride-hailing could affect demand for ownership and the design of urban parking.
The reports reflect a broader, measurable change in how younger generations interact with transport: a combination of technology adoption, economic pressures and altered social habits that is reshaping everyday driving behaviour. Media coverage and surveys suggest these patterns are unlikely to be confined to anecdote, but researchers say long-term effects on driving skill and mobility choices will require further study.