How To Parallel Park The Easy Way!
One of the most intimidating things that most new drivers face is learning how to parallel park.
Many student drivers fail this maneuver on their driving test.
Many student drivers fail this maneuver on their driving test.
My students usually fare much better on parallel parking because I have a simple, repeatable method that takes the guess work out of it. It still requires some practice, but you have a very high chance of success each and every time you park.
Here are the steps (assuming that you are parallel parking in a spot on the passenger side):
- Make sure that the parking space is longer than your car by at least 6 feet.
Parallel Parking Step 1
parallel parking step 2
- Pull up to the car in front of the parking spot with your signal light on showing your intention to park – the distance between your car and that car should be about 9 inches (23cm) – line up your back bumper with the parked car’s back bumper.
parallel parking step 3
- Cut your wheels as hard as you can so that the back of the car will turn into the parking space and start back in up slowly.
parallel parking step 5
- When the side view mirror (see “Note:” below) passes the back bumper of the car in front of the spot, cut your wheel as hard as you can the other way.
parallel parking step 6
- Back up until your back bumper is close to the bumper of the car in the slot behind you.
parallel parking step 7
- When the front of your car slides into the space, you should be perfectly parked – 9 inches (23cm) from the curb! If not, then move forward and steer the front of your car fully into the spot.
parallel parking step 8
parallel parking step 9
Note: I will teach you how to “fine tune” this maneuver, and make the proper adjustments, during your in car lessons.
- Every car will be slightly different as to how much of the front of the car is in front of the side view mirror. For each model of car, you may have to select a slightly different position on the passenger door as the spot where you initiate your turn to move the front of the car into the slot. That is the purpose of practice. But once you have figured it out for the car that you drive, you will be able to parallel park perfectly each and every time you try.
- The same rules apply to parallel parking in a spot on the driver’s side. Just use the same reference point on the driver’s door that you use on the passenger door.
