Buzz
Parking a car in a lot can be a challenging task, especially for new drivers. At times, parking spaces are quite narrow, and the lot is overly crowded, making the process even more difficult. There are three main types of parking spaces: angled, perpendicular, and parallel. You should practice mastering these three parking styles before taking your driving test or hitting the road. This article will guide you on how to park in these three types of spaces.
Steps
Parking in an Angled Space
Find a parking spot with fewer cars around. Practicing parking with fewer obstacles nearby makes it easier.
- During practice, look for a lot that isn’t too crowded.
- Since you’re learning, mistakes are likely to happen.
- With an open area, you’re less likely to hit anything while honing this skill.
- This isn’t just a good idea for new drivers. If you haven’t driven in a while, take some time to practice parking and driving before long trips.
Position your car correctly. Ensure your car is aligned properly, maintaining a safe distance from other vehicles and leaving enough space to turn the steering wheel accurately.
- Keep a minimum distance of 1.5 - 1.8 meters between your car and other parked vehicles.
- If no cars are nearby, estimate this distance relative to the parking space.
- This spacing allows you to turn the steering wheel precisely during the remaining steps.
Activate your turn signal when you find a parking spot. The signal alerts other drivers that you intend to park.
- Slowly drive forward until you see the centerline of the parking space.
- Watch for other vehicles. Avoid spots where someone is already waiting to park.
- Ensure no one is reversing from a nearby spot as you approach.
Turn the steering wheel decisively when you see the centerline of the parking space.
- Ensure your car remains 1.5 - 1.8 meters away from other vehicles or empty spaces as you begin turning.
- Turn the steering wheel about halfway.
- Check for shopping carts or other obstacles in the parking space.
- Enter the space slowly and come to a complete stop once fully parked.
- Ensure your car is entirely within the parking lines to avoid fines.
Straighten the wheels once the car is fully stopped.
- Straighten the wheels to prepare for a smooth exit.
- You can also straighten them just before reversing.
- However, it’s best to do this immediately after parking.
Parking in a Perpendicular Space
Position your car correctly. Ensure your car is far enough from other vehicles to allow room for turning the steering wheel into the parking space.
- Keep your car at least 2.5 meters away from parked vehicles on the driver’s or passenger’s side.
- This depends on whether the parking space is to your left or right.
- If no cars are nearby, estimate this distance relative to empty parking spots.
- Avoid using a spot someone else is waiting to enter.
Activate your turn signal. The signal informs other drivers of your intention to park.
- Quickly check for other vehicles, pedestrians, or obstacles nearby.
- Drive forward slowly.
- Continue until your front bumper has just passed the taillight of the adjacent parked car.
Turn the steering wheel decisively. You need to turn the wheel more sharply compared to angled parking.
- Begin turning the wheel once your front bumper has just passed the taillight of the adjacent car.
- Drive forward slowly.
- Ensure there are no shopping carts, debris, or other obstacles in the parking space.
Ibrahim Onerli
Driving Instructor
Driving Instructor
Our expert agrees: Perpendicular parking is simply steering in an L-shape. Move to the center of the lane, then turn the wheel fully to the left and park.
Drive into position. Move forward until your car is fully within the parking space.
- To align properly, match your side mirrors with those of the cars on either side.
- Ensure your front bumper doesn’t extend into the opposite parking space.
- Check that the rear of your car isn’t sticking out of the parking spot.
Straighten the wheels. Do this after your car is fully parked.
- The wheels should be straightened before you reverse out of the spot.
- You can also straighten them when preparing to leave the lot.
- However, it’s best to straighten them immediately after parking.
Parallel Parking
Find a suitable space. Look for a spot where you can comfortably fit your car without hitting the vehicles in front or behind.
- Some parking lots have marked parallel spaces, making it easier than parking on the street.
- If needed, drive around the block to find a sufficiently large space.
- You’ll need a space significantly longer than your car.
- A wider space makes parking much easier.
Check your mirrors. Observe them as you approach the parking spot.
- Ensure no vehicles are closely following you.
- Activate your turn signal on the side you’re approaching, slow down, and come to a complete stop.
- If a motorcycle is approaching from behind, hold your position. If possible, lower your window and signal for them to go around.
Position your car for preparation. Align your car so it’s at least 60 cm away from the vehicle in front.
- Avoid being too close or too far. Being too close risks scraping the other car while reversing into the spot.
- Maintain a 60 cm gap from the other vehicle.
- Ensure your bumper is 60-90 cm behind the rear bumper of the car ahead.
Shift into reverse gear. Now, you’ll start reversing into the parking spot.
- Check your driver’s side mirror to ensure no vehicles are behind you.
- Glance over your shoulder to inspect the parking space.
- Reverse until your front bumper is 90-120 cm behind the rear bumper of the car ahead.
Release the brake and turn the steering wheel fully to the right. Begin reversing slowly into the parking space.
- Continuously check the front and sides of your car to ensure no vehicles or pedestrians are in your way.
- Maintain a 60-90 cm gap between your car and the one in front to avoid collisions.
- Use your mirrors to gauge the distance between your rear bumper and the car behind.
- If you hit the curb, you’ve gone too far. Shift into drive and move forward slightly.
Turn the steering wheel to the left. Do this when your front wheels are directly behind the bumper of the car ahead.
- Your car should still be in reverse.
- Continue reversing as far back as possible.
- Look forward and to the side to avoid hitting the car in front.
- Don’t let your rear bumper touch the car behind.
- Check the rear window or mirrors to monitor the distance between your rear bumper and the car behind.
Shift into drive. Your car is now properly positioned.
- Turn the steering wheel back to the right.
- Move slowly forward, edging closer to the curb. This will straighten your car in the parking space.
- Use the passenger-side mirror to check your distance from the curb. Once parked, your car should be within 30 cm of the curb.
- You’ve now successfully completed parallel parking.
Tips
- While practicing, look for a quiet parking lot.
- Always control your speed. Avoid driving too fast!
- Learn parallel parking “after” mastering regular parking. Use traffic cones instead of real cars when practicing tight spaces.
- Start practicing with smaller cars, then move to larger ones as you improve.
Warnings
- You must have a valid driver’s license or learner’s permit before operating a vehicle.
