Parallel parking can be a bit nerve-wracking for many drivers, especially when you're trying to squeeze your car between two others along the side of the road. It's definitely a skill that takes some practice, but with the right tips and a bit of patience, it becomes much easier. In this guide, we'll walk you through some helpful parallel parking tips and a step-by-step process to help you feel more confident and comfortable with this important driving technique.
5 steps to help you parallel park
A lot of drivers will do anything to avoid parallel parking, but there's really no need to be nervous about it. Sure, it can be a bit tricky and takes some practice, but it’s totally doable.
In fact, depending on where you live, you might even need to show you can parallel park during your driver's test to qualify for your driver's licence. So, it’s a good idea to practice parallel parking before your driving test or before you find yourself needing to do it on a busy street. Here's a simple guide to help you get started with parallel parking for the first time:
1. Align your vehicle
Start by signalling to the drivers behind you that you're about to park by turning on your right turn signal. Next, pull up your car parallel to the car in front of the open spot, leaving about a metre of space between your car and theirs. Stop when your rear bumper lines up with the rear bumper of the car next to you, then shift your car into reverse.
2. Check that the coast is clear
Before you start moving, take a moment to check the side mirrors, rear view mirror, and blind spots for any cars, pedestrians, or obstacles. Make sure there's no traffic coming from behind.
3. Reverse slowly
Once you're sure the coast is clear, slowly back up about half a meter in a straight line. When the back of your seat lines up with the rear of the car next to you, turn the steering wheel to the right, smoothly and quickly, toward the parking space. Keep going until your car is at about a 45-degree angle as you start to back into space.
4. Slowly straighten your steering wheel
As you continue to back up and the rear of your car is mostly in space, start turning the steering wheel to the left, back toward the road. A good time to do this is when your front bumper is next to the rear bumper of the car in front of you or when the licence plate of the car ahead is centred on your windshield. This final turn will help guide your car fully into the spot while straightening it out at the same time.
While you're adjusting your car, keep an eye on your mirrors, windows, and the front windshield to make sure you're not getting too close to the parked cars around you. This will help you avoid any bumps as you park.
5. Center yourself in the parking space
After you’re in the spot, you might need to make a few small adjustments to center yourself and make sure you have your vehicle parallel to the curb. Move forward or back until you have an even amount of space in front and behind you. Make sure there’s enough room for the other cars to pull out so you’ll be able to get out easily when it’s time to leave. If you need to, don't forget to turn on your parking lights.
How to exit a parallel park
Leaving a parallel parking space is much easier than getting into it, assuming the vehicles around you have left enough space between you and them. To exit a parallel park:
- Start by shifting into reverse and backing up toward the parked car behind you. Get as close as you can without risking a bump.
- Then, turn your steering wheel to the left and shift into drive.
- Next, turn on your left turn signal to let traffic know you are exiting the parking space and check for traffic in the lane before pulling out.
- Finally, make sure you're not too close to the car parked in front of you, and slowly ease your way out of the spot.
I messed up my parallel parking job. Now what?
If your parallel park didn’t go quite right, don’t worry! Just pull out of the spot and try again. It’s totally normal to need a couple of tries when you're still getting the hang of it. Just remember to turn on your signal, check your mirrors and blind spots to make sure the coast is clear, and then pull up next to the car in front to start over by following the five steps above.
Tips for practicing parallel parking
When you're just starting out, it's always best to practice parallel parking to help you get the hang of it before you have to do it for real in a busy street. Here are some tips to help you out:
- Find a quiet street or an empty parking lot to practice. It’ll give you a chance to get familiar with your car’s size and how much space you need to park without feeling rushed or crowded.
- Consider using traffic cones. Set them up to match the size of a typical parking spot and work on maneuvering your car between them. It's a helpful way to build your skills without the pressure of real cars around you.
- When you're ready to practice around cars, start by looking for parking spaces with only a front car and no rear car. This way, you can get used to aligning your car, making the 45-degree angle turn and straightening out without the risk of reversing too far back into the other vehicle.
- Practice often. You'll likely need to know how to parallel park for your road test, so it's important to practice as much as you can until you feel confident doing it. And don't forget to use your turn signals!
Common mistakes when parallel parking
Even experienced drivers can make mistakes when parallel parking. Here are some common errors and tips on how to avoid them:
Not using your right turn signal
One common mistake drivers make is forgetting to use their turn signal when starting a parallel park. When you forget to indicate your turn, other cars behind you may pull up too closely for you to properly reverse into the space, forcing you to forget your parallel park and find a new parking space instead. The best way to avoid this is to always use your right turn signal to let other drivers know you’re about to park.
Misjudging the distance
Another common mistake is misjudging the distance between your car and the ones around you. If you get too close to the front parked car while lining up, you might hit it during your 45-degree turn. On the other hand, if you misjudge the distance to the car behind you, there's a chance you could rear-end their front bumper.
Another frequent issue is not knowing how close you are to the curb. If you turn too sharply, you might end up hitting or scraping the curb as you try to straighten out. The best way to avoid these mistakes is by practicing parallel parking until you get a feel for the right distances.
Forgetting to check your blind spots
Sometimes, drivers rely too much on their mirrors and forget to check their blind spots, which can be risky for other cars or pedestrians. To avoid any accidents, always turn your head and check your blind spots while backing up.
Squeezing into tight parking spaces
Even if a parking spot looks like it’s the perfect fit for your car, it’s best not to squeeze in if the space is too tight. You’ll need enough room to comfortably maneuver your car without risking a bump with the other vehicles. Plus, the cars around you also need enough room to exit their own parking spaces without hitting your vehicle. To avoid this, always pick a parking spot that's not only big enough for your vehicle but also leaves a healthy amount of space both in front and behind it.
Parking too close to a stop sign or fire hydrant
Remember, it's illegal to park too close to a fire hydrant or stop sign. When you park too close to a stop sign or fire hydrant, you risk getting a parking ticket. To avoid a ticket, always make sure you're parking within legal distance from either object or any other no parking signs.
Why car insurance is important for parallel parking
Parallel parking brings the risk of car accidents, whether from forgetting to check your blind spots, misjudging the distance between the vehicles around you, or other drivers who are not paying attention to your stopped or reversing vehicle. That's why it's important to make sure you have the right car insurance coverage to protect yourself.
While some coverages are mandatory in Canada, adding optional insurance like accident forgiveness and collision coveragecan help save you money in the event of a parallel parking-related accident. Here are other common types of car insurance people typically choose:
Get comprehensive car insurance with BrokerLink today
If you're in the market for car insurance, look no further than BrokerLink. Our brokers are happy to answer any insurance-related questions you may have. You can reach us by phone, email, or in person at any one of our locations across Canada. You can also take advantage of our free car insurance quotes by using our free online quote tool today.
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