Parallel Parking Tutorial

Study Notes

A type of parking where the vehicle is parked in a space parallel to the road, alongside another parked vehicle or a curb.

Find a suitable space: Look for a parking space that is at least one and a half times the length of your vehicle.
Align your vehicle: Pull up parallel to the car in front of the parking space and align your vehicle with it, leaving about one foot of space between the vehicles.
Check mirrors and blind spots: Check your rearview mirror, side mirrors, and blind spots for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles.
Reverse into the space: Reverse into the parking space, keeping your vehicle at a 45-degree angle to the curb.
Straighten out: Straighten out your vehicle as you back into the space, using your mirrors and looking over your shoulder to guide you.
Check position: Stop frequently to check your position in the space, using your mirrors and looking over your shoulder.
Final adjustments: Make final adjustments to center your vehicle in the space.

Use reference points: Use reference points such as the other vehicle's bumper or the curb to help guide you into the space.
Keep an angle: Keep your vehicle at an angle to the curb as you back into the space, making it easier to straighten out.
Look for signals: Look for signals from other drivers or pedestrians to help guide you into the space.
Use your mirrors: Use your mirrors frequently to check your position and avoid obstacles.
Practice makes perfect: Parallel parking takes practice, so be patient and don't get discouraged if you don't get it right away.

Parking type where the vehicle is parked in a space parallel to the road, alongside another parked vehicle or a curb

Find a suitable space that is at least one and a half times the length of your vehicle
Pull up parallel to the car in front of the parking space and align your vehicle with it, leaving about one foot of space between the vehicles
Check rearview mirror, side mirrors, and blind spots for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles
Reverse into the parking space, keeping your vehicle at a 45-degree angle to the curb
Straighten out your vehicle as you back into the space, using mirrors and looking over your shoulder to guide you
Stop frequently to check your position in the space, using mirrors and looking over your shoulder
Make final adjustments to center your vehicle in the space

Use reference points such as the other vehicle's bumper or the curb to help guide you into the space
Keep your vehicle at an angle to the curb as you back into the space, making it easier to straighten out
Look for signals from other drivers or pedestrians to help guide you into the space
Use your mirrors frequently to check your position and avoid obstacles
Parallel parking takes practice, so be patient and don't get discouraged if you don't get it right away