How to Park a Car Straight

Apr 6
18:25

2016

James Blanchard

James Blanchard

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Parking is an important part of any road test and can make the difference of whether you pass or fail. Parking properly is easy but it does take practice. Make sure you practice each maneuver until it becomes second nature to you before you take your road test. Here are some tips to help you how to park in different circumstances.

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Perpendicular Parking

Perpendicular car parking means parking the cars side by side,How to Park a Car Straight Articles perpendicular to a wall, curb or something else. You see this type of parking mostly in parking bays and garages, because you can park many cars on limited space.

Perpendicular parking is made simple by looking at your side mirror. When parking, bring your vehicle to a spot while keeping enough space from the row of parked cars. Always stop with your wheels straight and your car centered in the space.

Parallel Parking

Many motorists consider parallel parking the most difficult part of driving. Parallel parking means parking a vehicle with its wheels parallel and next to the curb or side of the road.

First, you need to find an available space parallel to the street and between two cars. To parallel park successfully, you need a space about 4-6 feet longer than your car. Before parking don’t forget to indicate your intention to other drivers with a turn signal, showing them that you are going to move in that direction.

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Angle Parking

Angle parking can either be at a right angle to the direction of the street or at a slight angle. Parking at a right angle is not so common, but it is used in practically all open air or underground parking lots. Angled parking spots can only be entered from one direction and must be entered “head-on”. Backing into an angled spot is never preferred.

If you have a choice between angle parking or perpendicular parking, especially at the end of a drive test, it is best to choose an angled stall because it is the easiest parking to master.

Curb Parking

To park a vehicle the correct distance from a curb on the right, project a sight line over your hood, right down the middle. When you match that point of your hood with the road edge, your vehicle will be approximately six inches from the curb on the right. When curb parking look ahead out your windshield rather than at your side mirror.