Technology is already a huge part of driving, with vehicles improving every day to include bigger infotainment systems and more intelligent safety features. It’s no surprise, then, that there’s also an abundance of smartphone apps on the market to make driving better. From assisted navigation to help avoid the worst of the traffic to parking space booking with YourParkingSpace, here’s a roundup of the best driving apps out there. You definitely won’t want to miss any of these.
Pre-Book a Parking Spot with YourParkingSpace
We’ve all experienced the frustration of not being able to find a parking spot in a crowded city centre. If you’d rather avoid the hassle of driving in circles, the YourParkingSpace app is perfect. Choose from one of over 250,000 parking spaces in the UK. Simply specify how much time you want the space for – anywhere from an hour to a month, and book.
The app gives you the opportunity to save money when parking, with a range of payment methods available. You can pay for the space using a credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or PayPal. Store all of your information in the app to make subsequent purchases with ease, or opt for a one-off payment. YourParkingSpace has been featured on the BBC and in the Daily Mail, and is available for free on iOS or Android devices.
Save Money on Fuel with PetrolPrices.com
Petrol prices vary wildly across the country, and sometimes it can be difficult to get a good deal. PetrolPrices.com allow users to compare diesel and petrol prices across 98% of the UK, and has almost 8,500 petrol stations in its database.
You can specify what kind of fuel you’re looking for, and the app will show you the cheapest petrol station in your vicinity. You can also search by location for cheap petrol – great if you’re thinking of filling up further along on your journey. The app also includes a route planner, which highlights the cheapest fuel options along the path of your trip. It’s available for free on iOS and Android.
Avoid Traffic with Waze
A regular GPS device can be a godsend during the daily commute to work, or for long motorway journeys. However, the Waze app takes it one step further. Updated in real-time by other road users, Waze can alert you to congestion, accidents and hazards. The app will show you the best route to take towards your destination, and even shows you the best fuel deals as they come in.
Waze has a huge active community of other drivers, and is constantly being improved to provide up-to-date information. It’s also available free on iOS and Android.
Go On an Adventure with LiveTrekker
This last app on our list works by providing a journal of your travels on an interactive map. As well as location tracking, the app also monitors your altitude and speed. You can share your journal with friends and family, and add your own photos, audio or comments along the way. It has an integrated social media function which means you’ll be able to share your highlights with the world.
LiveTrekker is available free on Android and iOS.
Be careful when using driving apps as it’s illegal to use a mobile phone behind the wheel, doing so could see you receive points on your licence and then you may need to take out Convicted Driver insurance as a consequence.