Parallel parking and test maneuvers

By the end of this topic you can

• You can parallel park into a space on the right, within legal distance of the curb.
• You can park on a hill with the wheels turned the right way.
• You can complete a three-point turn using the whole road and reversing only once.
• You can make a roadside stop and move off again safely.
• You can keep checking all around the car throughout each manoeuvre.

What you need to know and understand

• Ontario's handbook suggests a parallel parking space about one and a half times the length of your vehicle.
• Alberta law requires a parallel-parked car's wheels to be no more than 50 cm from the curb.
• On Ontario's roadside stop, stop parallel to the curb and no more than about 30 cm away.
• Facing downhill, turn the front wheels toward the curb; facing uphill with a curb, turn them toward the road.
• Facing uphill with no curb, turn the wheels to the right so the car rolls off the road, not into traffic.
• Ontario does not allow parking aids such as back cameras or automatic parking on road tests.
• Never do a three-point turn on a curve, on or near a hilltop, on or near a railway crossing, or near a bridge or tunnel that blocks your view.

Parallel parking step by step

Marks are lost for hitting or mounting the curb, touching another vehicle, ending up outside the space, and missing checks when pulling out. On the test, check legal distances too: in Alberta, for example, the curb-side wheels must end up no more than 50 cm from the curb.

1. Choose a legal space about one and a half car lengths long. Check mirrors and signal right.
2. Stop alongside the car in front of the space, leaving at least 60 cm between the two cars, with your rear bumpers roughly level.
3. Check all around, including both blind spots. Reverse slowly, turning the wheel fully toward the curb.
4. When the car is at about 45 degrees and you can see the outside rear corner of the car in front, straighten the wheels and keep reversing slowly.
5. When your front bumper clears the other car, turn the wheel fully away from the curb to swing the front in.
6. Straighten up, move forward if needed to centre in the space, and check your distance from the curb.
7. Set the parking brake and select park. Check for cyclists before opening the door.

Hill parking

A simple memory aid: only uphill with a curb turns the wheels away from the curb.

• Downhill, with or without a curb: turn the front wheels toward the curb or shoulder.
• Uphill with a curb: turn the front wheels toward the road, then let the car roll back gently until a tire rests against the curb.
• Uphill with no curb: turn the front wheels sharply to the right.
• Every time: set the parking brake firmly.

Three-point turns and roadside stops

A three-point turn reverses your direction on a narrow road. Start stopped parallel to the right curb, no more than about 30 cm away, then check traffic and your blind spot and signal left. Move forward turning sharply left, stopping before the far curb. Shift to reverse, signal right, check both ways again and reverse turning sharply right. Stop, shift to drive, check, and drive off. On a test, use the whole road, reverse only once and do not touch the curb.

For a roadside stop, check mirrors and your blind spot, signal, and stop close and parallel to the curb without blocking an entrance. Put on hazard lights and set the parking brake. To move off, turn off the hazards, signal left, check mirrors and your left blind spot, and pull away smoothly.

Common mistakes

• Reversing too fast. Creep slowly so you have time to look and correct.
• Looking only at the mirror. Turn and check all around, especially for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Turning the wheel at the wrong moment. Use the same reference point every time.
• Forgetting the parking brake on a hill. Always set it, whichever way the wheels point.
• Starting a three-point turn near a hill or curve. Choose a straight stretch with a clear view both ways.

Test yourself: Parallel parking and test maneuvers

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.