Parallel parking

By the end of this topic you can

• You can judge whether a space is big enough.
• You can set up alongside the vehicle in front of the space.
• You can back into the space slowly using reference points and steering.
• You can keep checking all around for traffic, cyclists and pedestrians.
• You can finish parallel to and close to the curb without hitting it.

What you need to know and understand

• Signal before you stop and start the maneuver, so other drivers know your plan.
• Look all around before and during the maneuver, not just at the mirrors or camera.
• Move at a slow walking pace so you can correct as you go.
• Your car should finish parallel to the curb and close to it. California's handbook says within 18 inches; other states may set their own distance.
• Bumping the curb or a cone may cost points; climbing the curb or hitting a car usually fails the test.
• Many examiners expect you to look over your shoulder even if the car has a backup camera.

Step by step

1. Choose a space clearly longer than your car; California's handbook suggests at least 3 feet longer. Check your mirrors and signal toward the space.
2. Pull up alongside the vehicle in front of the space, leaving about 2 feet between the cars, with your rear bumper roughly level with the front of the space.
3. Shift to reverse. Look all around, especially over your right shoulder and behind.
4. Back slowly and turn the wheel sharply right until your car is at about a 45 degree angle to the curb.
5. When your front bumper passes the rear of the car ahead, straighten the wheel, then turn it sharply left as you continue backing.
6. Stop when your car is parallel to the curb. Pull forward a little to center yourself in the space.
7. Shift to park, set the parking brake and check before opening the door.

Reference points that help

Reference points are spots on your car that line up with something outside. Every car is different, so find yours with an instructor. Many drivers use the moment the rear of the car ahead appears in a certain part of the back side window as the cue to straighten. Practice with cones in an empty lot to learn your car's points before trying it on the street.

Leaving a parallel space

Back up close to the car behind without touching it, signal left, check your mirrors and blind spot, then move out only when there is a safe gap. Traffic already on the road has the right-of-way.

Common mistakes

• Backing too fast. Slow down so small corrections are easy.
• Only using the camera or mirrors. Turn your head and look.
• Starting the turn too early or too late. Learn your reference points with cones first.
• Forgetting to signal when pulling out. Always signal and check your blind spot.

Test yourself: Parallel parking

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

Go deeper

• NY Road Test Parallel Parking
• US Road Test by State