Why it feels hard
Parallel parking means reversing a car into a space beside the curb, between two other vehicles, using a sequence of steering moves. It feels difficult mostly because you cannot see the car’s corners and because other drivers may be waiting. In truth, the method is the same each time. If you learn a few reference points and keep your speed very low, it becomes routine.
The numbers and angles below are approximate. Cars differ in length, steering and visibility, so adapt the method after practicing with your own vehicle. Parking rules, such as how close to the curb you must be and where you may not park, vary by location, so check local regulations and signs.
Before you start
- Choose a suitable space. As a rough guide, many drivers want a space around one and a half times the length of their car. With more practice, you can manage a tighter one.
- Check the rules. Look for signs about time limits, permits, driveways, hydrants, crossings and corners.
- Check your mirrors and blind spots. See blind spots for how to look before you move.
- Signal. Indicate toward the curb so that others know you are about to stop and reverse. Slow down and let following traffic go by if possible.
- Be ready to take your time. A short delay is better than hitting something. Most drivers understand.
The method
These steps assume you are parking on the right side of the road, with the curb to your right. For left-side parking, mirror the directions.
- Pull up alongside the front car. Stop parallel to the vehicle in front of the space, leaving roughly an arm’s length or about a car-door’s width between the two cars. Line your rear bumper up approximately with the other car’s rear bumper. Your wheels should be straight.
- Select reverse and look. Check that the way is clear in all directions, including behind and to the sides, with a final check over your shoulder.
- Steer fully toward the curb and reverse slowly. Turn the wheel all the way to the right (toward the curb) and back up gently. Aim your car at about a 45-degree angle to the curb. Many drivers use a reference such as the point where the front car’s rear corner becomes visible in a side mirror or where it lines up with the back door.
- Straighten the wheel. When the angle looks about right, straighten the steering and continue reversing in a straight line until your front bumper has cleared the rear of the front car. Looking at your driver’s side mirror helps you see that clearance.
- Steer fully away from the curb. Turn the wheel all the way to the left and keep reversing slowly. The front of your car swings in toward the curb behind the car in front, and your car straightens out within the space.
- Watch the car behind. Stop before you touch it. Use your mirrors, a backup camera if you have one, and any parking sensors, but do not rely on them alone, since they may miss low or thin objects and are not a substitute for looking.
- Adjust forward. Select drive, turn the wheel as needed and pull forward to center yourself in the space. Make as many small corrections as you need. Perfect first-time parking is uncommon.
- Finish properly. Straighten the wheels (or turn them according to your local rule on slopes), set the parking brake, switch off the engine and check for traffic and cyclists before opening your door.
Reference points that help
Because vehicles vary, create your own reference points during practice. Some drivers choose:
- The point at which the car’s rear window frame or a door pillar lines up with the other car’s bumper.
- What they see in the side mirror when the front car’s back corner appears in it.
- A mark on the mirror or door where the curb should appear when the car is near parallel.
Once you find points that work for your car, repeat them every time.
Common mistakes
- Going too fast. Use idle speed, controlling it with the brake. If something seems wrong, stop.
- Starting too far from the front car. Starting more than a car-door’s width away makes the maneuver harder.
- Turning the wheel too early or too late. Early turns result in clipping the front car, and late turns end up with the car sticking out at an angle.
- Ending up far from the curb. Pull forward, straighten and try again. A repeated attempt is normal.
- Ignoring traffic. Pedestrians, cyclists and approaching vehicles may not expect you to reverse.
- Relying on sensors alone. Technology helps, but visual checks remain essential.
- Getting flustered when watched. If a driver is waiting, wave them past. Pressure causes errors.
When the space is tight
If the gap looks too small, the safest choice is usually to find another one. Squeezing in can leave you boxed in, or damage your car or others. If you decide to try, take your time and be ready to leave and start over. Pulling out, having a smaller front turn, can sometimes work better than repeated reversing. It is acceptable to forward adjust several times.
Pulling out of a space
Leaving a parallel space has its own risks. Check mirrors and blind spots, signal, and look for passing vehicles and cyclists. Turn the wheel away from the curb only once you are moving forward, so the front of your car does not swing out too early. Allow other traffic to pass before you pull out. Staying alert for people stepping from behind parked vehicles is part of defensive driving.
How to practice
The easiest way to learn is to practice in an empty parking lot, using cones, boxes or even rolled towels to mark the car positions. If you can, get a patient friend or an instructor to guide you. Repeat the same sequence until it is automatic, and then try it between real cars on a quiet street. Many driving schools teach the technique, and a lesson or two may be worthwhile if you find it stressful.
It is also worth learning how your car turns. Steering ratio, turning circle and visibility differ between a small hatchback and a large SUV or truck. If you change vehicles, expect to relearn your reference points.
Finally, remember that parallel parking is a skill that improves with repetition. A few attempts that end up crooked are not a sign of failure. They are how nearly everyone learns.