6 Steps to Parallel Parking
Parallel parking is a skill that requires practice, patience and persistence. At first, it may seem like a daunting task that you’ll never master, but over time you will gain confidence and become more comfortable with parallel parking. Use the following six steps to parallel park the right way.
1.) Find a spot that gives you enough space. One of the most common mistakes drivers make when trying to parallel park is attempting to park in a space that physically isn’t large enough. If you have to drive around a little longer to find the right space, take that extra time.
2.) Signal to the curb to notify vehicles in rear that you will be coming to a stop to park. Pull alongside the vehicle in front of the parking place, leaving about three feet between your vehicle and the parked vehicle.
3.) Position your rear bumper so that it is even with the rear bumper of the parked car. This will compensate for vehicles of different length.
4.) While looking over your right shoulder, turn your wheel to the right and back slowly. Your vehicle will be moving to the right rear of the parking space. When you are even with other vehicle’s rear bumper begin turning your wheel to the left to straighten your vehicle. Continue backing slowly and check around your vehicle.
5.) Start to center your steering wheel. When your vehicle is into the parking space, continue turning the wheel to the left. Check that your front right bumper avoids the rear bumper of the vehicle ahead.
6.) Center your vehicle in the space. Once your vehicle is positioned properly in the space, turn your wheel back to the middle, forward position. You can then turn your car off and safely exit the vehicle.
Following these steps will ensure you successfully and safely parallel park, even if it’s a task you’re uncomfortable doing. With practice and patience, and help from Top Driver’s instructors, you will quickly learn how to parallel park and be prepared for the driving test. Remain calm and take it slowly, and you’ll notice how much better you get at parallel parking each time you try it.
Frequently asked questions
What are the steps to parallel park a car?
Top Driver teaches a six-step method. First, find a spot that is clearly large enough for your vehicle. Second, signal toward the curb and pull alongside the car in front of the open space, leaving about three feet between the two vehicles. Third, line your rear bumper up with the rear bumper of that parked car. Fourth, look over your right shoulder, turn the wheel to the right, and back slowly toward the space. Fifth, once you are even with the other vehicle's rear bumper, straighten and then turn the wheel to the left, continuing to back in slowly. Sixth, center the car in the space, straighten the wheel, and shut off the engine.
How much space do I need to parallel park?
You need a spot that is comfortably longer than your vehicle. A common rule of thumb taught at Top Driver is that the gap should be at least a car-length and a half. If the space looks borderline, keep looking rather than trying to wedge your car in. Trying to park in a space that is physically too small is one of the most common parallel parking mistakes, and it usually ends in scraped bumpers or a frustrating multi-attempt maneuver.
How far from the front car should I be when I start to back up?
About three feet of side-to-side clearance between your vehicle and the parked car next to you. That distance gives your car room to swing in as you reverse without scraping the other vehicle's mirror or quarter panel. Your rear bumper should be roughly even with the other car's rear bumper before you begin to turn the wheel to the right. Lining up bumpers, rather than door handles or windows, accounts for cars of different lengths.
What is the most common mistake when parallel parking?
Trying to fit into a spot that is too small for the vehicle. After that, the most frequent errors are starting too far away from the front car, beginning to turn the wheel before the rear bumpers are lined up, and not turning the wheel sharply enough at the right moment. Rushing the maneuver also causes problems. Parallel parking rewards patience: back in slowly, keep checking both mirrors and over your shoulder, and adjust in small increments.
Is parallel parking on the Illinois driving test?
Parallel parking has historically been part of the Illinois road test and is a skill Top Driver behind-the-wheel instructors prepare students for. Practicing with cones in an empty parking lot is a great way to build muscle memory before trying it on a real street. Your instructor will work through the same six-step sequence with you, and most students go from very uncomfortable to confident within a few sessions of dedicated practice.
How do I know when my car is properly centered in the space?
Once the car is straight in the space, check that you have similar distance between your front bumper and the vehicle ahead and your rear bumper and the vehicle behind, ideally two to three feet on each side. Your tires should be within roughly six inches of the curb. If you ended up too far out, pull forward, straighten, and back in again rather than trying to correct with the wheel turned. Then return the steering wheel to center before you shut the car off.
