Driving Lessons Video Series: How To Properly Perform Parallel Parking
If you are getting ready to head to the DMV office to take your road test, then you want to make sure you know how to do all the driving maneuvers the examiner will test you on. One thing you may be tested on is parallel parking, which makes even experienced drivers nervous to do. Our Driving Lessons video series continues today, as one of our driving instructors will show you how to properly perform parallel parking.
Will You Have To Parallel Park On The Driving Test?
While parallel parking may be nerve-wracking to a lot of people, most states do test you on your parallel parking skills during your driver's license test. In fact, failing to parallel park could even mean an instant fail on the driving test in some states.
However, some states have decided to take out parallel parking from the road test, like California and Ohio. It is a maneuver you will find yourself doing often though, so learning these skills is critical.
The Steps
If you are trying to park your vehicle and you will need to parallel park, there are proper steps you need to take to complete the task safely and properly. Here are the steps to perform parallel parking:
- When parallel parking, look for space 3-6 car lengths ahead.
- Your speed should be no more than 5-10 mph.
- When you have found a space, turn on the right turn signal and pull alongside the front car such that you can see the car's windshield wipers.
- While looking out the back window and side windows, roll straight back until your rear bumper is next to the front car's rear bumper.
- Really slow speed is good.
- Turn the steering wheel all the way towards the curb.
- Continue turning until the car is pointed about 45 degrees into the space and then turn the steering wheel straight.
- Continue into the space until the front bumper has cleared the front car and the rear of the car is about 2 feet from the curb.
- Turn the steering wheel all the way away from the curb.
- Continue back. Now is a great time to use the backup camera.
- When close to the car behind, turn the steering wheel all the way towards the curb.
- Roll forward until the car is parallel in the space.
- Move forward or back to fit in the parking space perfectly.
You can watch everything in action by checking out our driving instructor parallel parking here:
Check Out Other Driving Lessons Videos
- Driving Lessons Video Series: How To Properly Make A Yield Left Turn
- Driving Lessons Video Series: How To Properly Perform Right Turn At Different Stoplight Conditions
- Driving Lessons Video Series: How to Properly Perform Curbside Parking
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our friendly support staff. If you want to start your driver's training journey with Coastline Academy, make sure to sign up for Drivers Ed and book your driving lesson today.
About the Author
Nigel Tunnacliffe is the co-Founder and CEO of Coastline Academy, the largest driving school in the country, on a mission to eradicate car crashes. An experienced founder and technology executive, Nigel and his team are shaking up the automotive industry by taking a technology-centric approach to learning and driver safety. Having served over 100,000 driving students across 500+ cities, Coastline was recently named the 6th fastest-growing education company in America by Inc. Magazine. Nigel is a frequent podcast guest and quoted driving education expert for major publications such as Yahoo!, GOBankingRates, and MSN.