Parallel Parking - It’S Easier Than You Think
It's every driver's worst nightmare: parallel parking. Most Americans are lucky enough to do this once for their driver's test and never again. But you never know when the situation may arise. It's easy to forget how to do it. These step-by-step instructions will give you the refresher you need.
Find the Right Spot
It's difficult to appraise parallel parking spots. Spend a good amount of time ensuring that your car can fit with relative ease, especially if you haven't parallel parked in a while. If you aren't sure, drive around and find a spot that will work. It's better to park far away and walk to your location than wreck your car.
Line Up
Drive forward about half a car's length away from the parking spot. If there's a car next to yours, give yourself at least a foot of clearance. Turn on your turn signal toward the parking spot.
Back Up
Check your rearview mirror to make sure there's nothing behind you. Put your car in reverse, apply the brakes, and turn your wheel all the way to the right. While looking behind you, slowly take your foot off the brakes and ease into the spot. You shouldn't need to hit the accelerator at any point.
Keep apprised of your location to the cars around you. If you get too close to the car in front of you, center your wheel, put your car into drive, and move forward a bit.
Back up at this angle until you're slightly more than halfway to the curb. If you hit the curb or get too close, simply shift into drive and move forward about a foot.
Turn Left
Apply the brakes again, and turn your wheel all the way to the left. Assess the situation once again, checking the rear- and side-view mirrors and ensuring you're not too close to another car. Ease your foot off the brake and continue backing up. Now you want to make sure you don't bump the car behind you.
Center Your Car
Once you feel as though you've pulled into the space enough, (It may take longer than you think. You want to be as close to the curb as possible.) center your wheel, shift into drive, and slowly move forward, straightening and centering your car in the space. You may need to move a little to the right to get closer and more centered.
Don't Panic
If you don't get it right on the first try, it's okay. It's better to take your time and do it safely than rush and potentially wreck your car. If you need to re-park, simply back up as much as you can, pull out, and try it again. Now that you're in the space, you won't need to pull out or turn as much as before.
Find the Right Spot
It's difficult to appraise parallel parking spots. Spend a good amount of time ensuring that your car can fit with relative ease, especially if you haven't parallel parked in a while. If you aren't sure, drive around and find a spot that will work. It's better to park far away and walk to your location than wreck your car.
Line Up
Drive forward about half a car's length away from the parking spot. If there's a car next to yours, give yourself at least a foot of clearance. Turn on your turn signal toward the parking spot.
Back Up
Check your rearview mirror to make sure there's nothing behind you. Put your car in reverse, apply the brakes, and turn your wheel all the way to the right. While looking behind you, slowly take your foot off the brakes and ease into the spot. You shouldn't need to hit the accelerator at any point.
Keep apprised of your location to the cars around you. If you get too close to the car in front of you, center your wheel, put your car into drive, and move forward a bit.
Back up at this angle until you're slightly more than halfway to the curb. If you hit the curb or get too close, simply shift into drive and move forward about a foot.
Turn Left
Apply the brakes again, and turn your wheel all the way to the left. Assess the situation once again, checking the rear- and side-view mirrors and ensuring you're not too close to another car. Ease your foot off the brake and continue backing up. Now you want to make sure you don't bump the car behind you.
Center Your Car
Once you feel as though you've pulled into the space enough, (It may take longer than you think. You want to be as close to the curb as possible.) center your wheel, shift into drive, and slowly move forward, straightening and centering your car in the space. You may need to move a little to the right to get closer and more centered.
Don't Panic
If you don't get it right on the first try, it's okay. It's better to take your time and do it safely than rush and potentially wreck your car. If you need to re-park, simply back up as much as you can, pull out, and try it again. Now that you're in the space, you won't need to pull out or turn as much as before.
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