How to parallel park, step by step
Quick answer: stop about 3 ft (1 m) out from the car in front of the space with your rear wheels level with its rear bumper. In reverse, turn the wheel fully toward the curb and back to about 45°. Straighten the wheel and keep reversing until your rear corner is about 3 ft from the curb. Then turn fully away from the curb until the car is straight, and center it in the space.
Why you reverse in
Only the front wheels steer. When you reverse, the rear axle becomes the pivot and the front of the car swings around it, so the car can slide sideways into a gap that is only a little longer than itself. Driving in forwards needs a much longer gap, which is why every road test asks you to reverse.
Before you start: pick a gap that fits
While you are learning, look for a gap of about 1.5 times your car’s length — for a typical family car that is roughly 22–25 ft (6.5–7.5 m). Shorter gaps are possible, but below about 1.4 car lengths you will need small back-and-forth corrections (see tight spaces).
Step 1: Pull up alongside the car in front
Signal toward the curb so drivers behind you know you are stopping. Pull up next to the car parked in front of the space (call it car A), parallel to it and about 3 ft (1 m) away. Stop with your rear wheels level with its rear bumper.
Many handbooks say “rear bumpers level”. That works for some cars, but if your car has a wide turning circle, starting that far forward can bring your front corner into car A when you swing in at the end. Starting slightly further back gives you room. Find what works for your car in an empty street.
Step 2: Reverse, full lock toward the curb, to about 45°
Shift into reverse. Check your mirrors and look over your shoulder — traffic behind you is your biggest risk here. Turn the wheel all the way toward the curb and creep backwards. Stop turning when the car is at about 45° to the curb.
Typical cues for 45°: in your curb-side mirror you can see the whole front of the car behind the space (car B), or the back corner of the space appears from behind your own car.
Step 3: Straighten the wheel and back in
Turn the wheel back to straight and keep reversing in a straight line, still at about 45°. Stop this straight part when your curb-side rear corner is about 3 ft (1 m) from the curb. Too early and you will finish far from the curb; too late and your rear wheel hits it.
Step 4: Full lock away from the curb
Turn the wheel all the way away from the curb and keep reversing slowly. The front of the car swings in behind car A. Watch your front corner — it is the part that comes closest to car A. Keep going until the car is parallel with the curb, and keep an eye on the distance to car B behind you.
Step 5: Straighten and center
Straighten the wheel, then pull forward or back a little so you have space in front of and behind you. Aim to be within 12 inches (30 cm) of the curb; many tests allow up to 18 inches (45 cm). Shift into park and set the parking brake.
Common mistakes
- Too fast. Every error grows with speed. Creep the whole way.
- Starting too close to car A. Less than about 2 ft and your front corner has no room to swing.
- Holding the first lock too long. Past about 55°, the rear wheel heads straight for the curb.
- Counter-steering too early. You end up straight but a long way from the curb. Pull forward and try the last step again — see corrections.
- Forgetting to look. The front of your car swings out into the lane during step 4. Check before you start it.
Learn the four moves with the coach watching your angle and curb distance.
Practice level 1This guide explains technique. Rules such as how close to the curb you must be, or how a road test is scored, differ by state and country — your official driver handbook has the final word.