How to pull out of a parallel space

4 min read · Written for driving on the right; left-hand traffic is mirrored.

Quick answer: back up until you are about 1 ft (30 cm) from the car behind. Shift into drive, signal, check your blind spot, and turn the wheel all the way away from the curb. Creep forward and keep the wheel locked until your front is fully past the car ahead, then straighten into the lane.

Step by step

Make room. Reverse slowly toward the car behind until it is about a foot away. Every extra foot behind you is a foot of swing in front.
Lock the wheel. Shift into drive and turn the wheel all the way away from the curb before you move.
Look. Signal, check your mirror and your blind spot. Wait for a proper gap — you will be moving slowly.
Ease out. Creep forward. Watch your front corner on the side of the car ahead: it is the closest point.
Straighten. Only when the whole front of your car is out past the side of the car ahead, steer back and straighten into the lane.

If it will not clear

If your corner is going to touch the car in front, stop. Reverse with the wheel turned toward the curb to angle the front out further, then try again. Two short moves are better than a scrape.

You are boxed in between two cars. Get out without touching either.

Practice level 9

This 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.