How To Parallel Park - For Beginners

Parallel parking is scary. And not just to beginners - many experienced drivers never fully conquer their fears. But it is a very useful procedure to know: parallel parking is a big part of your driving test, and being able to do it will pay off more than a couple of times throughout your life. And you'll look so cool as you easily maneuver your car into that small parking spot! It doesn't matter if you've already tried and failed or if you're a complete novice: with the right attitude and effort, you'll be P-parking like a professional in no time!

To start, here's what it's all about: parallel parking is a method of parking in line with, or parallel to the curb, commonly lined up bumper to bumper with other vehicles. This is most often encountered in large metropolitan areas, where there are few parking lots and street parking is the norm. Parallel parking is required knowledge for the drivers license exam, since you will be tested on your abilities. There are states, such as Ohio, which implement a "maneuverability test" instead, but this is basically parallel parking inside of a traffic cone formation instead of with other cars - so the same rules apply.

Rule number one: don't get intimidated. Even if you've already tried (and failed) before, DO NOT be discouraged! Start slow, and your confidence will increase with each practice session as you become more comfortable. It has less to do with "natural talent" or good hand-eye coordination than it does with simple, consistent repetition. Stay calm and allow yourself the time you need to become successful - it won't happen overnight, but it becomes less and less difficult with time. And pretty soon you'll be maneuvering with ease!

Got it? These are the guidelines for parallel parking:

1. Look for a parking spot which is at least one and a half times the length of your car that you are confident you can park in.

2. Flash your turn signal and drive up next to the car you wish to park behind so that your rear bumpers are aligned and you are 2-3 feet away.

3. Look into your side and rear-view mirrors, then check over your shoulder to make sure there are no cars approaching you from behind. Once it's clear, hit the brake and put your car in reverse.

4. Gently let up on the brake. Turn your steering wheel all the way in the direction of the curb as soon as your car starts to move backwards, so that your bumper is angled towards the curb as you drive back. (Go slow; if you feel like you're not at the right angle or you've hit the curb, just drive forward and start over.)

5. Once the back of your car is mostly in the space, turn the steering wheel all the way back towards the opposite direction in order to straighten out your car's wheels.

6. You're pretty much centered once you're no more than 12 inches from the curb and parallel to it. If you need to, drive forward slightly to adjust your wheels. Now you're parked!

Just remember that these aren't hard and fast rules - for instance, parking behind only one car will be much simpler since you don't have to worry about bumping the second car. Stuff like how sharply you have to turn your steering wheel will vary based on the type of vehicle you're driving, since each car maneuvers a little differently.

But back to basics: to build your confidence, you'll need to start slowly and work your way up. Of course you'll be nervous if you begin with trying to parallel park on a busy street! Here's how we recommend starting; once you've mastered one level, move on up to the next:

- Find a quiet road or parking lot, and just practice parking beside an empty curb.

- Try out your parking skills behind a single car.

- Parallel park in between two vehicles that are situated far enough away from each other where you feel comfortable. (Make sure it's not a busy road)

- Look for cars parked closer & closer together and practice entering the space. When you're able to do it in spots that are about one and a half times your car's length, you've reached your goal!

As complicated as it may initially seem, parallel parking is really just a simple series of steps that you will get the hang of with practice. So now that you've got the information, what are you waiting for? Go and master the skill of parallel parking!