Parallel Parking: How To Parallel Park
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Parallel Parking Tips
The aim of the parallel parking manoeuvre is to show that you can reverse the car safely and under control to park it in a space behind another parked car, close to and parallel with the kerb. You need to demonstrate smooth co-ordination of the controls and good observation throughout the manoeuvre.
On this page you will find step by step instructions, video tutorials and tips to help you learn how to do perfect parallel parking!
The content of this page is copyright of CDT (author) February 2012. Please DO NOT copy or reproduce elsewhere either in print or online.
The advice given on this page has been written by fully qualified Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructors (DSA ADIs) and is intended only for UK drivers and those taking the UK Practical Driving Test.
Please be aware that road traffic legislation and what is considered good driving practice varies throughout the world!
Why Bother With Parallel Parking?
Parallel parking is a VERY useful skill which will enable you to park quickly and easily in car parks, in front of shops etc.
It's far easier than trying to drive into a parking space and while it looks difficult at first, once you get the hang of it, parallel parking is very straightforward!
Parallel Parking Tips
Step by step instructions and help on how to parallel park
Can You Take Your Seatbelt Off When Reversing On Your Driving Test?
Yes, you can take your seatbelt off when carrying out any of the reversing manoeuvres on your driving test - but it's not advisable!
It's very easy to forget to put it back on afterwards - which won't impress the examiner at all!
Parallel Parking On Your Driving Test
Reverse parking on your driving test
The examiner will usually ask you to pull up on the left and then say something along the lines of:
"The vehicle ahead of you is the one upon which I would like you to perform the reverse / parallel park manoeuvre . Please drive forward and stop alongside the car ahead. Then reverse in and park reasonably close to and parallel with the kerb. Try to complete the exercise within about two car lengths."
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What If I Mount The Kerb On My Driving Test?
If you mount the kerb while you are parallel parking on your driving test it will count as a serious fault and you will fail the test :(
How To Parallel Park - Step-By-Step
Parallel parking technique
You may find it helpful to use this list as a memory jogger (aide memoire) - you can print it out if you need to using the "Printable Version" link underneath the instructions!
For those who prefer instructions given visually, there are some tutorial videos further down the page - some with an audio commentary for those who like to listen to what they need to do!
Instructions
PARALLEL PARKING
1. Start with left door mirror in line with front bumper of the target car (the one you are going to park behind!) and about an arms length away. Handbrake on.
2. Full observation - right to left, checking for pedestrians as well as other road users. If there is a pedestrian at the side of the road, wait until they are out of the way before starting to reverse - it's safer! Handbrake off.
3. Looking over left shoulder, reverse slowly back using clutch control until the back of the target car is visible in the back near-side door window
4. Keeping the car moving slowly, turn the steering wheel one turn (360 degrees) to the left
5. Look once over your right shoulder and then over your left shoulder as you continue to move slowly in reverse
6. When left door mirror is pointing at the back off-side of the target car, turn the steering wheel two full turns to the right (720 degrees)
7. Keeping the car moving, look again over your right shoulder and then over your left
8. Once the car is straight and parallel to the kerb, turn the steering wheel another one turn to the left to straighten the wheels
9. Handbrake on and gear lever into neutral
Remember the steering pattern used - one turn to the left, two turns to the right and one turn to the left - 1 2 1!
What If I Make A Mistake?
Keep your speed down and watch out for other road users & pedestrians at all times
If you need to go forwards again because you've got your positioning wrong, this is perfectly OK - it's better to do that than hit the kerb!
Parallel Parking Video Tutorials
Video lessons on how to do parallel parking (reverse parking)
The following videos will give you visual instructions to help you learn how to do the parallel parking manoeuvre.
All the videos are presented in a different format - two are animated and two are "real-life" driving lessons presented by a fully qualified DSA Approved Driving Instructor.
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Video Tutorial 1 - How To Parallel Park
Animated parallel parking instructional video
Video Tutorial 2 - How To Parallel Park Your Car
Parallel parking instructional video
Parallel Parking Do's & Don't's!
Keep your speed SLOW
All round observations throughout the manoeuvre
Keep the car moving - don't "dry steer" (turn wheel when car not moving)
Remember - "1 2 1" steering
Keep within 2 car lengths of the vehicle in front, parallel & (reasonably) close to the kerb
Don't hit the kerb!
Common Mistakes When Parallel Parking
Mistakes that could result in driving test faults when doing the parallel / reverse parking manoeuvre during your driving test
Scrubbing/brushing the kerb
Unnecessarily shunting backwards and forwards
Getting too close to the object car
Mounting the pavement
Turning the steering wheel the wrong way
Parking too far from the kerb
Stalling
Not completing within two car lengths
Finishing at an acute angle to the kerb
*source - retired driving examiner David Joberns (used with permission)
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Did You Find This Page Useful?
Did you find the advice given about how to parallel park helpful?
Further Help
If you need more help, here's a few links to some highly recommended books and software that will not only help you to pass your driving test, but will teach you good, safe driving practice - for life!
Recommended PC Software: "Driving Test Success"
The Driving Test Success range of learner driver software from Focus Multimedia
Driving Test Success All Tests 2012 Edition (PC)
by Focus Multimedia Ltd
"The best and most comprehensive learner driver product on the market." - Approved Driving Instructor News
* THEORY TEST - all the OFFICIAL DSA revision questions, explanations and practise questions
* HAZARD PERCEPTION TEST - practice hazard perception video clips
* PRACTICAL TEST - 50+ video tutorials
* MOCK DRIVING TEST - watch a mock driving test from inside the car
* ROAD SIGNS TEST- test yourself on road signs
* The Highway Code
* Learn anywhere on your iPod, mobile phone or portable music player
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Recommended DVD: "Driving Test Success" (no computer required)
DVDi - interactive DVD, no PC required - all you need is a TV and DVD player
Driving Test Success All Tests DVD 2012 Edition (Interactive DVD)
by Focus Multimedia Ltd
For those who don't have access to a computer, this interactive DVD is invaluable. It will run on a DVD player or DVD compatible games console and enables those without a PC to get useful visual help and practice for both the Theory and Practical tests.
DVD 1 - THEORY TEST
DVD 2 - HAZARD PERCEPTION TEST
DVD 3 - PRACTICAL TEST
Gain the confidence and knowledge you need to pass your Driving Test using this fully comprehensive DVD.
Includes more than 50 video driving lessons and tutorials for all the manoeuvres required on your driving test.
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Recommended Book: "Driving: The Essential Skills"
The Official DSA Guide to Driving: The Essential Skills
The Official DSA Guide to Driving: the essential skills (Paperback)
by the Driving Standards Agency
This book has been written by the Driving Standards Agency - the people who set the driving test!
This book explains clearly and precisely all the skills you need to show the examiner during your driving test and how to achieve them.
If you drive to the standard outlined in this book, not only should you pass your driving test, but you will be a safe and considerate driver after you pass.
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How To Pass Your Driving Test
Links to more information pages to help you pass your driving test!
More Information About The UK Theory Test
Theory and Hazard Perception Test
Traffic Signs Quiz
Preparing For Your Driving Test
Learning To Drive A Car
How To Find A Driving Instructor
How To Beat Driving Test Nerves
How To Pass Your Driving Test
Driving Test Manoeuvres
How To Reverse Around a Corner
How To Do A Turn In The Road (3 Point Turn)
How To Bay Park
How To Do An Emergency Stop
What Happens During The Practical Driving Test
Practical Driving Test (Cars)
Study Aids For Learner Drivers
Recommended Books For Learner Drivers
Best DVDs For Learner Drivers
Gift Ideas For Learner Drivers
Foreign Language Translations For The UK Driving Theory Test
Theory Test In Punjabi
Theory Test In Urdu
Theory Test In Polish
Parallel Park Talkback!
Comments or questions about parallel parking? Ask here!
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EditionH
Feb 3, 2012 @ 12:41 pm | delete
- Frankly, I have avoided reverse parking for quite some time and got more and more out of exercise. These instructions are easy to remember and I will try it next time. I learned some tricks with the rear window, but with my new car that is pretty hopeless. So I hope the mirror method will do the job.
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lisadh
Mar 14, 2011 @ 11:46 am | delete
- In California, you don't have to parallel park to pass the driver's test, but it's definitely a useful skill every driver should know. I used to be good at it when living in San Francisco, but now that I live in the 'burbs and only parallel park once in awhile, it sometimes takes me two attempts.
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Ann-Marie
Sep 29, 2010 @ 3:13 pm | delete
- Hi, I hate to admit this, but parallel parking has always been a problem for me. I would like to think I am a good safe driver: but this is my blind spot! Thanks for a very helpful lens.
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Christene
Sep 2, 2010 @ 10:42 pm | delete
- Blessed by a SquidAngel :)
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WeddingZazzle
Apr 28, 2010 @ 6:42 am | delete
- Nicely done. Blessed by a SquidAngel :)
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How To Parallel Park - Index
How to do parallel parking
- Why Bother With Parallel Parking?
- Can You Take Your Seatbelt Off When Reversing On Your Driving Test?
- Parallel Parking On Your Driving Test
- What If I Mount The Kerb On My Driving Test?
- How To Parallel Park - Step-By-Step
- What If I Make A Mistake?
- Parallel Parking Video Tutorials
- Video Tutorial 1 - How To Parallel Park
- Video Tutorial 2 - How To Parallel Park Your Car
- Video Tutorial 3 - How To Reverse Park
- Parallel Parking Do's & Don't's!
- Common Mistakes When Parallel Parking
- Did You Find This Page Useful?
- Further Help
- Recommended PC Software: "Driving Test Success"
- Recommended DVD: "Driving Test Success" (no computer required)
- Recommended Book: "Driving: The Essential Skills"
- How To Pass Your Driving Test
- Parallel Park Talkback!
- Driving Test News
Driving Test News
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- P-plate driver blows 0.033
- Police immediately approached Alexander, 18, who admitted to the dangerous manoeuvre, telling officers he was being stupid, the court heard. Detecting a smell of liquor on his breath, police breath tested the P-plater and he returned a breath/alcohol ...
- Licence test to get tougher
- Learner drivers will be expected to have at least 120 hours of driving experience before sitting the one-hour-long restricted test which will judge their ability to manoeuvre the car through a three-point turn, a parallel park and reverse around a ...
- F1: Lotus new 2012 driver Raikkonen tops day one in Jerez pre-season test
- Kobayashi, who has been famous for his feisty and daredevil manoeuvres over the past few seasons, did not disappoint in terms of the performance he delivered in testing today. The Japanese driver completed an astonishing 106 laps in the C31, ...
by CDT
Explore related pages
- Know Your Traffic Signs Quiz Know Your Traffic Signs Quiz
- Driving Test Manoeuvres Driving Test Manoeuvres
- How To Reverse Around A Corner How To Reverse Around A Corner
- How To Do A Turn In The Road (3 Point Turn) How To Do A Turn In The Road (3 Point Turn)
- How To Bay Park How To Bay Park
- How To Do An Emergency Stop How To Do An Emergency Stop
Learner Driver News!
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