How to parallel park
Parallel parking is one of the most challenging parking
maneuvers. If you haven't already, learn the basic parking skills
before learning to parallel park.
Getting started
If you are worried about bumping into another car, start off on
a street or in a car park where it's safe and there is little or no
traffic around. You're not likely to have a serious crash while
parking but small crashes can be expensive. Don't try your first
parallel park in a busy street.
Practice parallel parking
- Check your mirrors. Before you intend to park, check the rear
and near side mirrors for traffic behind. If you have vehicles
following you closely and will not be able to slow down smoothly
and safely, keep going and choose another place to park.
- Use your indicators. Give other road users plenty of warning
that you are going to park by indicating early.
- Slow down. Brake gently and slow down gradually. Check that the
drivers behind you are responding.
- Be observant. As you approach the vehicle you are parking
behind, notice its size and how far out from the kerb it is. Later,
this information will be useful.
- Prepare to park. Come almost to a stop along side the space you
intend to park. (This forces any drivers behind you to hang back
and gives you room to reverse.) Ease off the brakes and move slowly
forward alongside the car you are going to park behind – keep a
good arm's length out. Stop when the rears of both cars are
level.
- Reverse into the parking spot. Select reverse gear. Look back
over your shoulder into the parking space and keep looking back.
Reverse slowly until you judge your back wheel is getting near the
rear of the car next to you. (Your back wheel is what's called a
‘pivot point’ - the point your car pivots around as you
steer.)
- Start steering. Drive even slower and begin to steer quickly
into the parking position. When your car is nearly at an angle of
45 degrees to the kerb quickly straighten the steering.
- Adjust steering. Continue to reverse straight and slow for a
very short distance and then steer quickly back the other way until
you are nearly parallel to the kerb.
- Fine tune your final position. Use the car behind and car in
front to judge where you should be. If there is a shop window
nearby, look for your reflection – you’ll find this very helpful
for positioning.
