Parking is a skill that takes practice. You will need to learn to:
- Accurately judge the size of the parking space.
- Accurately judge the position and distance of your vehicle compared to the curb and the vehicles behind and in front of you.
- Maneuver your car at an appropriate speed for parking.
- Steer your car correctly at the right angle and distance from the curb and other vehicles.
Most of the above items require understanding of how to use the reference points in your car to measure the distance between your car and the curb or other vehicles.
See the following link to understand and use reference points in your vehicles:
Using Reference Points for Driving and Parking
Below are different types of parking:
- Perpendicular Parking
- Parallel Parking
- Angle Parking
- Curb Parking
Perpendicular Parking:
- Begin with your vehicle a distance away from the parking space.
- Use your turn signal.
- Slowly drive forward. When the side mirror is even with the first line of the parking space, begin turning to align your vehicle with the center of the space.
- Move forward slowly and stop when you are fully in the parking space.
Angled Parking:
- Begin with your vehicle a distance away from the parking space.
- Use your turn signal.
- Slowly drive forward. When the front of your vehicle reaches the near side of the parking space, begin turning to align your vehicle in the center of the space.
- Move forward slowly and stop when you are fully in the space.
Exiting Parking Spaces:
When you exit a perpendicular or angled space:
- Look over both shoulders to check for approaching cars or pedestrians.
- When it is safe, back up until your front bumper is in line with the rear bumper of a vehicle next to you.
- Turn the steering wheel sharply in the direction you want the rear of the car to go.
How do I parallel park?
Parallel parking can take even more practice and skill than perpendicular or angled parking. Before you parallel park:
- Make sure the space is large enough (at least 6 feet longer than your vehicle).
- Look around you to check for traffic
- Use your turn signal to show that you will be parking
Follow these steps for parallel parking:
- Bring your car up alongside the car in front of the space, approximately two feet away from its side.
- Align your rear bumper with the rear bumper of that car. Look back to make sure that the traffic behind you allows you to back up.
- Turn your steering wheel sharply to the right as you begin to back up.
- When your front door passes the bumper of the car in front of the space, straighten the wheel quickly; continue to reverse.
- When your car has fully cleared the car in front of the space, turn your steering wheel sharply to the left; continue backing up.
- Stop the vehicle at a safe distance from the vehicle behind you.
- Shift the gear to “Drive” (D) and slowly move forward; turn the steering wheel right to straighten your wheels and move to the center of the parking space.
- Your car should be parked within 18 inches of the curb. Shift gears to "Park" (P), turn off the engine, and set your parking brake.
