Empty Parking Lots Near Me To Practice Driving

When a teen gets a learner’s permit (or is just beginning to drive) one of the most important things for them to do is learn in a safe environment. Feeling comfortable behind-the-wheel takes practice and one of the best ways to gain that confidence in a real-world driving environment is in big, open parking lots. Empty places free of common highway dangers allow teens time to practice their driving skills, whether that be night driving, parallel parking, or simply learning to drive better. If you are looking for parking lots to improve your driving abilities, here are the top 7 open parking lots to practice driving near you!

Top 7 Good Places To Practice Driving Near Me (For Teens)

Best open parking lots to practice driving

1. Community College Campuses: Community college campuses are usually quiet and have relatively low traffic, making them a great place for beginners to practice driving. They also usually have a mix of different types of roads, including parking lots, residential streets, and larger roads, allowing for a variety of driving experiences.
2. Open Parking Areas At Grocery Stores: Parking lots at grocery stores are usually large and have plenty of space for practicing parking, turning, and navigating through obstacles like shopping carts and pedestrians.
3. Public High Schools: High school parking lots are often empty outside of school hours, making them a good place for practicing maneuvers like backing up, turning, and parking. Additionally, many high schools have driving courses marked on their lots, which can be helpful for practicing specific driving skills.
4. Open Parking Areas At Retail Stores (Wal-Mart): Like grocery store parking lots, parking lots at retail stores like Wal-Mart are often large and have plenty of space for practicing driving skills.
5. Industrial Areas: Industrial areas are often quiet and have relatively low traffic, making them a good place for beginners to practice driving. They may also have a mix of different types of roads, including residential streets, larger roads, and even dirt roads, allowing for a variety of driving experiences.
6. Locations For Sporting Events (Baseball, Football, Soccer): These locations often have large parking lots that are empty outside of game times, providing plenty of space for practicing driving skills.
7. Anywhere You Have Some Space: Any large, empty space can be a good place for practicing driving skills, including empty parking lots, industrial areas, and open fields. Just make sure to choose a location that is safe and legal to use for driving practice.
  Ultimately, the best place to practice driving with your teen will depend on the specific skills they need to work on and your local area. The key is to choose a location that is safe, legal, and provides plenty of space for your teen to practice driving skills in a controlled environment.

What Driving Skills Can I Work On With My Teen In An Empty Parking Lot?

Teaching your teen how to drive can be a stressful experience, but practicing in a parking lot can be a safe and effective way to help them gain confidence behind the wheel. Here are some driving tips that you can work on with your teen in a parking lot:

Steering control: Encourage your teen to practice steering the car at different speeds, making sure they keep their hands at the “10 and 2” positions on the steering wheel. You can also have them practice making small turns and larger turns.
Braking and accelerating: Have your teen practice braking and accelerating smoothly and consistently. Teach them to apply the gas pedal and brake pedal gradually and evenly, without jerking the car forward or backward.
Parking: Parking can be challenging, so have your teen practice parking in different spots, such as parallel parking or backing into a parking space. Make sure they use their turn signals, check their mirrors and over their shoulders, and park within the lines.
Scanning and situational awareness: Teach your teen to scan their surroundings while driving, checking for other vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles. Also, have them practice checking their mirrors and blind spots when changing lanes or backing up.
Basic traffic rules: Even in a parking lot, traffic rules apply. Teach your teen to obey stop signs, yield signs, and speed limits. You can also have them practice navigating through intersections and turning left and right.

Remember to take it slow and go at your teen’s pace. Encourage them to ask questions and be patient with their progress. Most importantly, always emphasize the importance of safety while driving.

What Parents Can Do To Protect Their Teen Drivers

Teen Driving Safety Devices

Find Out Where Your Teen Is Going
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Snap GPS is the first GPS tracking device created specifically to help parents be certain their teens are driving safely. Simply plug the live GPS tracker into the OBD2 port of your teen’s car and find out how fast they are driving and everywhere they go! With unlimited real time location updates every 3 seconds and a full year of tracking service, there is no better tool to help parents keep their teens safe while behind the wheel!

FIND OUT WHAT YOUR TEEN DRIVER IS REALLY DOING!

After a teen has completed drivers’ ed, passed their driving test, and for all intents and purposes learned how to drive, the next thing parents need to do is make sure safe driving behaviors are being utilized. GPS tracking devices help parents of teen drivers by providing them data about how fast a teen is driving, where they are going, and more. The technology makes sure teens are following the speed limit, and are taking every driving lesson they learned in a school parking lot and putting it into practice. If you want to stop reckless teen driving, GPS tracking is one of the best ways to keep your teenage driver safe.

How Teens Are Out-Smarting Parents

Parents are always looking for the latest and greatest gadgets available to help them improve teen safety. This is because parents know all too well that when their child becomes a teenager they also become an idiot. Okay maybe the word idiot was a little harsh, but irresponsible is certainly appropriate. People in their teens are widely recognized as the age group most associated with poor decision-making and almost all parents understand that. This is why so many proactive parents have turned to technology to help them better gauge how their teen is conducting their life away from home, and one of the most popular technological tools parents have been calling upon is the GPS tracking app.

FAQs

Is It Okay To Practice Driving In A Parking Lot?

Absolutely! An empty lot is a great location for teen drivers or adult drivers to work on their driving skills! Having space to practice will help novice drivers feel comfortable driving doing things such as parking, turning, and understanding how a vehicle operates.

Why Are GPS Tracking Apps Not The Best For Safe Teen Driving?

As a concerned parent, you may be tempted to purchase a GPS tracking app to monitor your teen’s driving habits. However, it’s important to recognize that simply installing an app on their phone may not be the most effective solution. Teens are often glued to their phones and may find ways to outsmart the app by leaving their phone behind, claiming the battery died, or simply turning it off. If you’re serious about monitoring your teen’s driving habits, it may be better to invest in a more dynamic piece of vehicle tracking hardware.

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Hassan

Sales Associate | Tech Writer at GPS Tracker Shop

Hassan, born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan, channels his 6 years as an auto mechanic into precise technical writing. His hands-on experience as an auto repair technician lends credibility and depth to his articles, ensuring readers get expert-backed insights. Beyond the garage, Hassan is deeply invested in sustainable farming practices and is a fervent advocate for animal rights.