Include the open door in a parking-space check

A parked car still needs room for people to get out. Include the open door and the approach to it when checking a regular parking space.

Measure the space safely and note walls, posts, slopes and neighbouring bays. Compare the vehicle's published dimensions, then assess access on the actual car where permitted. Keep the vehicle stationary and avoid testing a door where it could strike another object or person.

Think about the user

A driver travelling alone may need a different arrangement from a household using child seats or mobility equipment. Follow the relevant instructions for restraints and adaptations, and seek appropriate professional guidance when access needs are specific.

Check the route between the door and the destination. A bay can accommodate the car while leaving an awkward squeeze beside a wall or a step at the exit. Include opening the boot if loading there is part of ordinary use.

Record what you observed rather than declaring a universal minimum clearance. Door shapes and people's needs differ. If the available space is marginal, a suitable demonstration or professional assessment is more useful than another approximate measurement from a photograph. The practical question is whether entry, exit and loading can happen safely in the place where the car will actually be parked.