Buzz
Parallel parking can be challenging, but with consistent practice, you’ll soon get the hang of it. Start by finding a space that’s slightly longer than your car. Ensure the parking spot is legal and activate your turn signal as you pull up alongside the space. Shift into reverse and slowly back into the spot. Simultaneously, turn the steering wheel fully toward the space until your car is at a 45-degree angle. Then, turn the wheel in the opposite direction to align your car parallel to the curb. Shift into first gear and move forward to center your car within the space.
Steps
Select a Parking Spot
Find a suitable space. The space should be wide enough for your car to enter without hitting nearby vehicles. Once you’ve mastered this skill, you can park in tighter spots, but it’s best to start with spaces that are at least two meters longer than your car. The space should be at least one meter longer than your vehicle.
- If you’re new to parallel parking, consider using traffic cones in an empty lot to practice parking between them.
Ensure the space is safe and legal for parking. Look for parking regulation signs in the area. Avoid parking in front of fire hydrants or areas where you might block traffic. Pay attention to any time restrictions for parking.
- Check for any obstructions, such as tow hitches, protruding from the front or rear of the cars you’re parking between. If there’s an obstruction, make sure there’s enough space to maneuver your car in.
- Take note of the curb height next to the parking spot. If the curb is very high, be cautious to avoid scraping your car while reversing.
Activate your turn signal and position your car for parking. Check your rearview mirror to ensure no one is directly behind you. Gently press the brake to signal to others that you’re slowing down. Turn on your blinker and pull up alongside the car in front of the parking space. Your car should ideally be about 60 cm away from the car ahead.
- If another car approaches from behind, stop and keep your signal on. If necessary, roll down your window and gesture for them to go around.
- The tighter the parking space, the closer you should be to the car in front. For example, position your car about 30 cm away if the space is only slightly longer than your car.
Maneuver the car into the parking spot
Consider asking for assistance. If the space is tight and you’re not experienced with parallel parking, ask someone outside to guide you into the spot. If you have passengers, request their help to step out and direct you.
- Ask them to signal the distance between your car and the one you’re approaching by using hand gestures to indicate the gap. This method is more precise than verbal instructions.
- Adjust your side mirror downward to see the curb. While not essential, it can be helpful.
Begin reversing. Shift your car into reverse. Ensure no vehicles are behind you. Look over your shoulder to check the parking spot. When your seat aligns with the rear of the adjacent car, turn the steering wheel smoothly and fully toward the curb until your car is at a 45-degree angle.
- Turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the rear of the car to go.
- Avoid turning the front of the car into the spot too early, as you might hit the car in front.
Ibrahim Onerli
Driving Instructor
Driving Instructor
Parallel parking is a three-point process. Reverse until the taillight of the car in front aligns with the middle of your rear door, then turn the steering wheel sharply to the right. Continue reversing until the taillight reaches the front edge of your car’s door, then straighten the steering wheel. At this point, you’ll see a 45-degree angle forming in your mirror, resembling a triangle. Follow this triangle until it disappears, then turn the steering wheel sharply to the left to back into the spot. From there, straighten the wheels, position the car correctly, and engage the handbrake.
Reverse most of the car into the space. Continue backing up at that angle until the rear wheel is about 30 cm from the curb. The rear of your car should still be about a meter away from the car behind.
- If the rear wheel touches the curb, you’ve reversed too far. Simply shift into drive and move forward slightly.
Straighten the steering wheel as the car nearly completes reversing. Turn the wheel toward the road once the rear of your car is deep into the spot and the car is still moving slowly backward. Perform this step when your front bumper is just behind the rear bumper of the car ahead. This final maneuver will position the car into the spot and align it properly.
- Another indicator to start turning the wheel in the opposite direction is when the license plate of the car ahead is centered in your windshield.
- For tighter spaces, you’ll need to adjust the steering wheel slightly earlier.
Position the car in the parking spot
Center the car within the parking space. After successfully parking, you may need to adjust to ensure your car is parallel to the curb and centered between the vehicles in front and behind. If there’s still space behind, continue reversing until you’re close to the car behind. Shift into drive and gently turn the wheel toward the curb as you move forward.
Adjust the car in tight spaces. In narrow parking spots, positioning the car becomes more challenging, and the front may end up farther from the curb than desired. To fix this, move the car forward and backward, gradually nudging the front closer to the curb. Each time, turn the wheel fully toward the curb before moving forward, and straighten it when reversing.
- Repeat as needed. The front of the car will inch closer each time you turn the wheel fully toward the curb and drive forward.
- If the front is too far from the curb in a standard-sized space, it’s easier to pull out and start over.
Start over if necessary. If your first attempt isn’t successful, don’t worry. Activate your turn signal and reposition your car beside the vehicle in front to try again.
Open the car door carefully. Before exiting, especially when parked next to a curb, check to ensure no vehicles are approaching. Always watch for cyclists, as parallel parking spots often pose risks to them due to doors opening into bike lanes.
- On the curb side, be cautious not to let the door scrape against the curb or nearby objects.
- If the door can’t fully open with passengers inside, keep this in mind when returning to the car. The door may open fully when the car is empty but could hit the curb after passengers enter and the car settles.
Tips
- Parallel parking becomes easier with the help of a rearview camera. If your car doesn’t have one, consider installing it.
Warnings
- Always turn the steering wheel while the car is in motion, even if it’s just a slight adjustment. This reduces stress on the steering components.
- If your car has hubcaps, especially with low-profile tires, avoid getting too close to the curb to prevent damage.
- Holding the steering wheel at a sharp angle for more than a few seconds can strain electric power steering systems.
- When in doubt, prioritize safety. Don’t risk hitting the car in front or behind. If traffic allows, engage the handbrake and step out to check if there’s enough space to park.
