How to Parallel Park

There are several reasons why we give up all too soon on trying to parallel park our vehicles. They are 1. Frustration 2. Fear of hitting another car. 3. Fear of hitting our own car. 4. Don't want to block traffic while we attempt to park. 5. Fear of looking silly trying to do it. 6. Fear of failure to parallel park correctly.

Let's face it. How many times did we practice or have our driving instructor work with us at parallel parking? Probably very little or none. If we did practice, it was probably without real cars. There is a big difference in using real cars or orange plastic cones. The last thing that we want to hear is someone blowing their horn for us to hurry.

From time to time, it is good to practice this skill. It can also be fun. "Just don't let your insurance man know." I am only kidding. Seriously, you can do this skill rather easily.

If you have a smaller vehicle, you might always want to consider just parallel parking by the forward pulling in method. To do this successfully, you need reference points. Also called sight lines. In a small vehicle, they are a lot easier to get than a big vehicle. These points would be the curb, car in front of you, and vehicle behind you. If possible, when you pick your spot, pull a little to left so that you are wider from the back car. Now cut your wheels hard to the right. As you approach the curb from the back part of the parking spot, cut your wheels hard to the left. You will pull up directly behind the front car. Back up until you are evenly parked in your spot. Be sure to center your car so that those in front and behind can leave easily. If you have a large vehicle, use the same method but you might consider two things. Pull over little more to your left on the initial turn and turn sharper to the left before you reach the curb.

Now lets talk about the nightmare of all, the backup approach. 1. As you approach your spot, pull your vehicle in forward about half way. You are half in and half in your driving lane. 2. Cut your wheels to the left and pull up back into your driving lane. Notice, you are not even along the vehicle in front of you. 3. Straighten your wheels and line up your mirror with the vehicle behind you (hopefully the bumper). 4. Look to make sure that the front of your car will miss the car in the front. 5. Place your right arm over the back of your seat. This will make it easy to turn your head to your right. 6. Back up straight for about two thirds of the way in. 7. Cut your wheels to the left and continue. 8. Once you are in , simply straighten your car out in the space. The key is in your approach. Go into the parking spot first.

Important tips

1. Do not worry if you are holding up traffic. 2. If you are too far from the curb, you aren't backing up far enough. (More people do this than hitting th curb.) 3. If you are hitting the curb, you are not turning to the left soon enough. 4. Signal your intentions well in advance. 5. Always check the traffic behind you before backing up. 6. Your spot should be about one and half times the size of your vehicle. 7. Always be considerate to other drivers.

Lastly, find a place on a side street in your town where you can practice practice practice. All drivers need to refresh this skill from time to time. When you are successful, pat yourself on the back. Parallel parking is a challenge for even the best driver.

Comments (2)

donata said:

	... This reminds me of when I was going through drivers' education. I do recall parallel parking as the most difficult part of driving. This article will help many who find this difficult. 5*****
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April 15, 2010
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Lynsuz said:

	... Parallel park?? Do they still do that?
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May 07, 2010
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