Stop when the right end of your front bumper is in line with and past the rear bumper of Vehicle B. Straighten the wheels and continue to back into the space.Stop when your steering wheel is in line with the rear bumper of Vehicle B. As you reverse, you should steer sharply to the right until your vehicle is at a 45 degree angle from the curb. When you have checked your mirrors and blind spots and you are sure the way is clear, start backing into the space very slowly.Stop when your vehicle’s (Vehicle A) rear bumper is even with the rear bumper of Vehicle B. Drive alongside Vehicle B about one metre away. Signal your stop by flashing your brake lights approximately three times or by using a hand signal and then turn on your right signal. Don’t stop suddenly if a vehicle is close behind you.
It’s wise to snap a cell phone photo of any damage so you have it for your records. If you’re borrowing a car, you’ll also need to provide the owner’s information. If you do hit another car while you’re exiting a spot-yes, even a small “tap” counts-the law in most states requires you to leave a note with your name and contact information.
When you’re parallel parking for real, you’ll need to be cautious to avoid contact with the bumpers of the other parked cars. Practice the steps above, making sure to park without bumping into the cones or pylons. The dimensions should be about one foot wider than the width of your car, and one-and-half the length of your car. An ideal place to practice is an empty parking lot, using four cones or plastic pylons (these can be rented at most car rental shops) to simulate a rectangular-shaped parking spot by placing a cone or pylon at each corner. When it comes to learning how to parallel park, there’s nothing better than repetition. By making this a habit, you can help make the roads safer for everyone. Doing so naturally prompts you to turn and look over your shoulder, making you aware of any oncoming cyclists. This simple method involves reaching across your body with your right hand to open the driver’s side door, rather than opening the door with your left hand. A good precautionary measure is known as the Dutch Reach, so named because it originated in the Netherlands. “You might wave them to go around you, but they also might be polite and patient and wait for you.”īefore opening your door, it’s also important to look out for cyclists, especially in big cities where bike lanes proliferate. “Turn on your blinker, roll down your window, and use friendly hand signals, making eye contact with drivers behind you,” Gillespie says. When exiting a tight spot into traffic, do everything you can to make sure you are seen. Read More: How to Pack a Car Emergency Kit Once you’ve determined your spot, pull parallel to the car parked at the front of your desired space, 2 to 3 feet from its side, and turn on your blinker to alert traffic behind you that you’re getting ready to back in. “Not only is it illegal to make contact with another vehicle, so many cars these days have alarms and airbags that you can trigger with even gentle contact.” “I know they call them bumpers, but you don’t want to bump into the other cars as you’re parking,” Gillespie says. This depends in part on your parallel parking skills, but as a general rule, opt for a spot that’s at least 1.5 times the length of your car. If the first spot you find looks tight, don’t feel compelled to take it. “The better your understanding of what you’re driving, the easier it will be for you to park,” Gillespie says. Though you don’t need to memorize every single spec, you should know your vehicle’s length and width (that information is in the owner’s manual) and familiarize yourself with its steering radius and any blindspots. “Not all vehicles are created equal,” says Mike Gillespie, an Arizona-based Club Trainer and driving educator at AAA. Check out the infographic below for a useful visual aid. These simple tactics and techniques should help. Getting a handle on parallel parking takes some practice. There’s no reason you should have to pass on a convenient place to park. Parallel parking is a specialized skill that many people avoid at all costs, but the benefits it provides make the process well worth learning.
Your next challenge: backing your vehicle into it. Congratulations! You’ve found a parking spot.