Easy Ways to Learn how to Parallel Park
While parallel parking comes easily for some people, it is a challenge for others. Once one gets the method of parallel parking down, it is no long a daunting task. Parallel parking is not a difficult task. Simple steps are available to help the nervous parallel parker.
If you need to practice parallel parking, find a quiet street where there are no distractions or heavy traffic. Find a parking space where you will have plenty of room to park your car. Try to find a parking space in between two other cars. There should be enough room to maneuver your car in between the two cars, leave at least a foot and a half of space in front, and back behind the other vehicles.
Always check your surroundings by making use of your visor mirror and the mirrors on each side of your car to have a clear view for you before you start to park. As you view open parking spaces, drive very slowly with your right turn blinker engaged. This alerts other drivers that you are preparing to park. If there are cars coming in your direction, wait until they pass you before you start to parallel park.
Slowly pull your vehicle next to the vehicle in front of your space, but not too close so that you risk hitting the other car. Pull your car forward until the back of your driver's seat is even with the front of their door.
Check your mirrors for people walking near your car or other vehicles in your area and then put your car in reverse and start to back up while turning your steering wheel to the right or towards the curb.
If your car is not aligning into the space well, start again. Even seasoned drivers sometimes have problems, so it is no big deal to start the process again.
As your car slowly moves into the space, slowly straighten up the wheel while moving in reverse. Your car will be at an angle where your front door aligns with the rear bumper of the car in front of you. As you continue to move into the space turn your steering wheel towards the street to straighten your car next to the curb.
You may have to wiggle your car into place by going forward and backward, at the same time moving the steering wheel. Continue parking until you are about eight inches away from the curb. Each city has its own parking laws; however, eight inches seem to be about the normal distance.
Be sure to leave at least a foot of space in front and behind your car, away from the car in the back and front. They need wiggle room to exit their parking space and so do you if you leave before they do.
Do not fret about this distance and feel that you must measure. You will not get a ticket if your tires are sitting next to the curb. However, you may get a ticket if you park your car too far away from the curb, and it is a hindrance to oncoming vehicles.
Parallel parking is an important part of your driving experience. You should remember that it is not the only thing that you will need to concentrate upon when on the road, nor is it the most important factor to good driving techniques. Safety needs always comes first with any driver.
