Out of all of the driving maneuvers that we are faced with on a regular basis, there seems to be none as feared as parallel parking.
For some reason, a lot of drivers simply can’t seem to get it right, and some people will avoid the practice all-together just to avoid frustration.
However, if done right, parallel parking can actually turn into one of the easiest life skills in your driving arsenal and is one of the most straight-forward processes to perfect. Here are the three steps to parallel parking.
Step 1: Line up your side-view mirrors.
The three-step process begins once you have found a suitable parallel parking spot. Keep an eye out for all street signs and park legally. When you find a spot, turn on your hazard lights to inform other drivers of your intentions.
As a common sense step, in order to successfully parallel park, you must find a parking spot that your car will fit into that allows with close to a foot of space in front and back.
Once you find a suitable spot, the first step is to pull up next to the car in front of the parking space. This is the most important step. It does not matter how big or small the vehicle is compared to yours.
All that matters is that you line up the side-view mirror of your vehicle exactly with the side-view mirror of the car in front of the intended parking spot.
Step 2: Reverse back into the space.
Now you have set yourself up for success. The next step is putting the car in reverse and easing back into the space. This may seem like the most complicated step, but it is easy once you have the routine down.
At this moment, your side view mirrors are lined up. As soon as you put the car in reverse, but before you start moving, turn the wheel to the right a full revolution (maybe a bit more, depending on the tightness of the space).
Then, begin reversing backward towards the curb. You might have to move the wheel slightly to the right a little more to maneuver a bit more into the space depending on how tight the space is.
About 3-quarters into the reversal (depending on the size of the space), and before getting too close to the car behind you, start turning the wheel to the left at a quicker speed to begin the process of straightening out.
If you have done this maneuver correctly, then your car should be mostly in line, and you should be face to face with the tail lights of the car in front of you.
Step 3: Pull forward and straighten out.
Put your car into the Drive position and move the wheel back to the right as much as necessary to straighten out your wheels and slowly move forward to be even with the other vehicles. It may have to be a quick movement in tighter spots.
Usually, you will just have to turn the wheel, so it is right-side up, which means that your wheels will be straight.
Now get out and admire your handy work.
Wrap Up and Final Notes
Parallel parking is only successful if you find a space that you can actually fit into without having to do a 30-point maneuver of reversing and moving forward. You also want to be able to leave the space at some point.
Once you are parked, you may have to reverse or straighten out to give your vehicle or the car in front of you the necessary space to exit the parking space next time you leave.
The point of parallel parking is to get your car in line with the others so that it is not sitting out in the middle of the street. As a rule of thumb, your car shouldn’t be more than 12 inches from the curb. You do not want to be that guy who impedes traffic or pedestrians by parking on an angle or in the street.
Follow these steps to become an expert at parallel parking and add a great tool to your driving arsenal.
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