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!

First, here's a definition of the term: parallel parking means parking parallel to - or in line with - the curb, usually sandwiched front-to-back with other cars. This is commonly seen in large urban areas where parking lots are scarce. It also makes up a portion of the driving test, so you must have at least basic-level knowledge of the procedure to get your license. States like Ohio use a maneuverability test in their exam, but this is essentially parallel parking using traffic cones rather than other cars - so the rules are the same.

If you feel intimidated, don't be! Start simple, and work your way up as you become more comfortable and confident in your abilities. Each person learns on their own timeline, so don't tell yourself that you haven't "got it" or that your hand-eye coordination stinks - you CAN do it. Keep practicing and the procedure eventually will become second nature. It does take time, but gets a little easier with every session. Before you know it, you'll be maneuvering like a pro!

Ready? Here are the general rules for parallel parking:

1. Find a parking space that's at least 1.5 times longer than your car that you're sure 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. Glance into your mirrors and look over your shoulder to check if there are any vehicles coming from behind. When the coast is clear, step on your brake and shift the car into reverse.

4. Slowly release the brake. As soon as the car begins to reverse, steer your wheel all the way towards the direction of the curb; now the back of your car should be at an angle towards the curb as it rolls backwards. (If you feel you need to re-adjust your angle or that you want to start over, just drive forward and begin again.)

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. Center your car into the parking spot until you're parallel to and no less than one foot from the curb. If necessary, drive slightly forward to even out your wheels. You've done it!

These are just the basic guidelines; each situation varies so you'll learn to use your own judgment based on the circumstances. Obviously the bigger the space, the easier parking will be. Things like how sharply your wheel will need to be steered also differ based on the car you drive, since each vehicle is unique.

Whatever you do, don't start off by trying to parallel park on a busy road - it's very anxiety-provoking! So here's an induction plan you can use to build up your confidence, move up only when you feel more than ready:

- Try parking beside an empty curb in a quiet parking lot or street.

- Park behind ONE parked car.

- Look for two parked vehicles that are far enough apart where you feel comfortable parking in between them. (Find a street that's not too busy for this)

- Seek out cars with less and less space between them for your parking practice. Once you can successfully park in a spot that's around 1.5x your car's length, you've done it!

Parallel parking has a reputation for difficulty, but it's really not as hard as you may think. Just keep on practicing and you'll be doing it perfectly in no time. Now there's no excuse! Go forth and master the art of the parallel park.

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Michelle is a parallel park-phobic turned confident parker. Check out the drivers ed game to practice your parallel parking, and read more articles, tips & secrets for succeeding at your driving test at www.driversed-game.com.

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