In the UAE, perfectly executing the parallel parking manoeuvre is necessary to clear the driving test. Failure to parallel park properly is one of the most common reasons people fail their driving tests. While it is actually easier said than done, you will be able to practically park the car in parallel if you learn about all the steps involved in the process.
If you are having trouble parking that way, read on for a step-by-step guide and a few tips to help you through the process.
How to Parallel Park Your Car
Several drivers, even after clearing the driving test, avoid parallel parking because it’s challenging. Though that is true and it may take some more practice to master the skill, there is no reason to get nervous about it.
The ability to confidently parallel park saves you from the hassle of searching for regular parking spots to park your vehicle. When the parking area is scarce, for instance on a narrow road, it is the only way to park. Let’s understand the process of parallel parking in detail.
Steps for Parallel Parking
Follow these steps to master parallel parking:
1. Position your car properly
Steer your vehicle slowly and make it parallel to the car parked in front of the vacant space. Make sure to keep a distance of 12-13 inches from the side of the parked car.
2. Check your mirrors
Adjust the car mirrors properly. Check the rear-view mirror and the mirrors on the left and right to make sure there are no other cars in your blind spot.
3. Start backing up
Put your car in reverse gear and slowly start to reverse along the parked car’s side while gradually steering towards the right.
4. Straighten the steering wheel
As your car starts moving in the empty parallel parking place, slowly steer the wheel straight and continue moving back towards the car parked at the other end of the parking area. While you are doing this, keep a check on all your mirrors and your front windshield to make sure you are not going to hit another vehicle or pavement.
5. Steer towards the left
Once the front of your car passes the back bumper of the car in the parking spot right in front of you, begin steering towards the left.
6. Check the distance
As you continue reversing and begin straightening the steering wheel, check the rearview mirror to see how close your car is to the vehicle behind in the parallel parking spot.
7. Adjust your car’s position for final alignment
Once your car is straight and close to the curb, you may need to shift forward to position your vehicle in a way that there is an equal amount of space in front and behind your car.
8. Put your car back in reverse to exit
To exit your car parked in parallel, put your vehicle in reverse and back towards the car behind you. Go back as close as possible reasonably without touching the car behind you.
9. Turn steering towards the left
Lastly, move the steering wheel towards the left and shift the car forward. Check the traffic lane you plan to enter. Always ensure your vehicle isn’t too close to the back bumper of the vehicle parked in front, drive out of the parallel parking slowly and carefully.
If you want to avoid this hassle, opt for cars with self-parking and parking assist features like the Hyundai’s Crab Driving feature.
FAQs
What is parallel parking?
Parallel parking is a parking technique where your park your vehicle parallel to the road, in line with other parked cars. To parallel park, you will have to pull up parallel to the car in front of the empty parking space and slowly back up into the parking space.
What is the best way to learn parallel parking?
Practice makes perfect, practise parallel parking in wider spaces till you get better at parking in the tighter spots. Ask a friend to accompany and assist you.
What is reverse parallel parking?
Reverse parallel parking is when the driver reverses to pull in behind a parked vehicle and parks parallel to the road pavement.
That is all you need to know about parallel parking. With a little practice, you will master this important driving skill in no time and avoid common parking mistakes.
Besides, if you do not want to park manually, take a look at these used cars with auto park or park assist features:
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more on car parking tips, car care and repair tips.
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