How to park a car

How to Park a Car Perfectly: Step-by-Step Guide

Knowing how to park a car is simply a must-know skill, but it can be a challenge if you are new to driving or not used to driving in urban areas. While you may be able to conveniently park on your driveway at home, at some point in time you will need to park your car in a number of different situations. Parking is also a part of the driver’s exam in most states.

If you don’t know how to park a car, or you find parking a challenge, this article will guide you. Today you’ll learn:

You’ll be parking better than your driving instructor and family members in no time!

How to Find an Appropriate Parking Space

The first step to parking a car is finding a parking space. When choosing a parking space you need to remember that:

Also, if you can, locate an open parking space away from other cars and pedestrians. Even as you grow used to dealing with tight parking spots and pedestrians, it will still be considerably harder to park properly in tight situations compared to in open parking spaces.

How to Park – Angle, Parallel, and Perpendicular Parking

You need to learn how to park a car in the three main types of parking spaces that can be found in the United States:

Luckily for you, we’ll go through them all in this article.

How to Park at an Angle (Angle Parking)

Angle parking is the most common type of parking spot found in high-traffic areas and one-way roads. The purpose of parking at an angle is that it allows the drivers to more easily access the parking spot, and more easily drive out of it. For that reason, it is also easiest to learn how to park at an angle before moving to parallel and/or perpendicular parking spots.

Angle parking is essentially parking at an angle (often 45°) to the road. The crux of an angle parking spot is to be aware of how traffic around you is behaving as you’ll most likely have limited to no vision of the road as you reverse out of the parking spot.

Follow these 4 steps when angle parking.

1 – Find a parking spot

The parking spot should have at least 4 feet to each side. If the parking spot is too tight, you won’t be able to open the car doors even if you can successfully squeeze in. The passengers in the cars next to you also risk slamming their car doors into your car as they attempt to enter their own cars.

2 – Drive slowly and enter at an angle

Enter the angle parking spot by entering the parking spot at an angle and slowly edging forward until your car is correctly positioned within the white lines.

3 – Align the car in the parking spot

Align your car so it is straight in the parking spot when you park your car, not before you move out.

By aligning your car and wheels as you park, you will make it easy for you to move out of the spot later. If you intend to align the car before you move out of the parking spot, you may find that the cars to your sides have changed and that you no longer have space to the sides, making the move difficult.

4 – Open the car doors carefully

As you leave your vehicle, it’s’ always good to be extra careful to not slam the car door(s) into the cars on the sides. It can easily happen and it may end up being rather costly.

How to Park Straight (Perpendicular Parking)

Learning how to park a car in a straight parking space is very important since it’s the second most common type of parking spot. You will often find these types of parking spots in shopping malls and parking lots associated with a store in general.

Follow these 5 steps when parking in a straight parking space.

1 – Find an empty parking spot

Just as when parking at an angle, you want to find a parking spot with at least 4 feet clear space to each of the sides. If the parking spot is too tight, you won’t be able to open the car doors even if you can successfully squeeze in.

2 – Position your vehicle for the turn

To get as much room as possible for turning, you need to place your vehicle toward the opposite side of the aisle. If the aisle allows for traffic from both directions, try to move as close to the center of the aisle as possible.

The front bumper of your car should be approximately half a car’s length away from the parking spot. Try to align your mirror with the first white line dividing your parking space from others. You can also align your shoulder with the center of the parking spot right before your parking spot, depending on what you prefer.

3 – Slowly move into the parking space

Before you start to move into the parking space, check your mirrors and blind spots. Then turn your wheels fully to the left, take your foot off the brake, and slowly creep forward into the parking spot. As you get into the parking spot, you will need to straighten out your wheels again.

4 – Adjust your position

Once you are in the parking space, you want to make sure your vehicle is correctly aligned within the space and to vehicles parked on either side. Adjust your position until you have an even gap to both sides of your car and you are well within the parking space.

5 – Turn the engine off and exit your car

Be careful to not hit nearby vehicles with your car door as you exit your car. Before you leave the parking lot, look around one additional time for the parking signs so you will know exactly how long you may be parked and if you have to pay.

How to Parallel Park

Due to the complexity of parallel parking and the multiple steps of the maneuver, we have already covered parallel parking in detail in another article with illustrations and pictures.

We’ll go through a summary of the most important steps below.

Make Sure to Look Out for Pedestrians Before Reversing

If you intend to enter or leave a parking spot by reversing, be extremely careful of passing pedestrians and/or other vehicles. Especially children can run across your intended path at any time. Make sure to look out for pedestrians, especially children, and other vehicles before reversing into a parking spot.

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How To Park a Car

Parking the car whether parallel parking or parking in a bay can for some, be a near impossible task. In this article on how to park, we will offer some tips and help with reference points for these manoeuvres, making parking a little less difficult and stressful.

How to park a car by Parallel parking

Let’s start with the parallel parking technique on how to park. The diagrams below will give you a clear example on how to do this.

Parallel parking or reverse parking as it is sometimes referred to is a manoeuvre where you will be required to reverse and stop between two vehicles parked at the side of the road.

Some struggle with parallel parking, but all it takes is to set yourself up with 2 or 3 reference points and away you go.

A good idea may be to practice this technique on a quiet road a couple of times just to get used to it as on occasions you may need to parallel park on a busy road.

How to park a car
Parallel parking diagram A

How to park a car – parallel parking diagram A

Whilst driving along looking for somewhere to park, if there are plenty of other cars parked up, you may need to consider a parallel park. If the road is busy, keep a good check on your rear mirror because when you locate an ideal spot, you will need to signal to the left to let other vehicles you are slowing down. They may think you are taking a left turn when in fact you will be stopping, so slow down gradually if possible to give the car behind time to react.

Stop alongside the vehicle you wish to park behind. An ideal distance is around 1 meter from door to door. Once stopped, select reverse gear and ensure it is safe and no pedestrians are crossing and the vehicle behind has left enough room for you to reverse.

How to park a car
Parallel parking diagram B

How to park a car – parallel parking diagram B

When safe, begin to reverse until the cars are level at the rear. To establish where this is, if for example your car and the car to your left are a similar size, line the side mirrors up. Another reference point is to get the very rear of the car to your left in about the centre of your rear left window, or the front of the car to your left, depending which way round it is.

These reference points may need to be altered slightly depending on what car you have. Again, have a practice go on a quiet road to establish this. Once you are happy that the cars are around level at the back, it may be an idea to stop.

How to park a car
Parallel parking diagram C

How to park a car – parallel parking diagram C

You will need to now steer one complete turn of the wheel to the left. You can turn full left lock but this may potentially leave the front of your car too close to the rear of the car in front as the turning angle will be harsher. Before you do this however, take a quick look to your right blinds pot in case there are any cyclists or pedestrians there. The front of your car will swing out into the road so it is potentially hazardous.

Once you are happy it is safe, are slowly and have turned the wheel one complete turn to the left, you will now need to establish another reference point. There are 2 reference points that can help. When the left front corner of your car lines up with the rear right corner of the car in front you can then steer full lock right.

Also by looking in your left mirror, you will notice as you are reversing, a triangle between your car and the curb. This triangle as you reverse gets smaller, when the triangle is completely gone, it is time to steer right full lock. Ensure when steering right you have sufficient clearance from the car in front.

How to park a car
Parallel parking diagram D

How to park a car – parallel parking diagram D

As the car straightens up, steer one turn of the wheel to the left to straightened the wheels up. To establish when the car is straight, you should notice in your left mirror that the curb is running down the road parallel to your car.

Using these reference points should keep you a good parking distance from the curb. If you feel you are still too far in the road, move forward slightly and reverse again steering to the left and right again to straighten up.

Ensure you don’t park too close to the car in front. If a vehicle parks very close behind you whilst you are gone, you may have trouble getting out.

How to park a car by Bay parking

Bay parking is a manoeuvre you might need to do at a supermarket for example. On many occasions it can simply be easier to park in a bay by driving forward into it. You do however need to think how easy it is to then reverse out again.

If the parking bays and the road is a little on the narrow side, you may find it easier to reverse in and drive our forward later. Provided here is an example of how you may want to try reverse bay parking. It doesn’t have to be exactly like this and with practice, you will get proficient so as not to have to use reference points.

How to park a car
Bay parking diagram A

How to park a car – bay parking diagram A

Whilst driving looking for that all important free space, keep a check in your rear mirror as you may need to signal to the left to let any vehicles behind you that you intend to stop. When you stop the car, stop with around an equal distance from the cars on the left and from what is on the right. This will give you adequate turning angle into the bay and plenty of distance to the right for when your car swings out.

Stop with the third line lined up with the centre of your passenger front door as illustrated in the diagram. This reference point may have to be altered slightly depending on your car. Try and find a quiet area to practice if you feel your reference points need altering.

How to park a car
Bay parking diagram B

How to park a car – bay parking diagram B

Once in position, select reverse gear. Before you start to move backwards, take a good look around as there may be pedestrians. Also take a look in your right blind spot as the front of your car is now going to swing out to the right and there may be a cyclist.

Once all clear, start to move backwards and steer to full left lock. This will guide you into the third bay from the reference line. As you are reversing, keep checking initially your left mirror as you can start to see the left line (line B) of your bay appearing. If it is looking too close to the line, steer a little to the right.

How to park a car
Bay parking diagram C

How to park a car – bay parking diagram C

As your car begins to straighten up, you should be able to see the right side line (line B) appearing in your right mirror. As you are slowly reversing, you can adjust accordingly.

Remember to keep the car slow and look around in all directions constantly. Where bay parking is located, there is likely to be pedestrians and other vehicles.

How to park a car
Bay parking diagram D

How to park a car – bay parking diagram D

Remember, which ever line you need to get closer to for any adjustment, steer towards that line.

As a final reference point if needed, line the start of the right side bay line up with your right mirror as you are reversing. This should give you a good indication of when to stop reversing. If the bonnet of your car is rather long, you may need to allow this reference point to go a little further to go back a little more.

How to park a car tips

Below are some tips on how to make parking your car an easy task.

Speed

Try and keep the car very slow. If you can imagine a slow walking pace, this would be an ideal speed. By keeping the car at this speed, it will allow you to be more accurate with your reference points and to look around more often.

Observation

These parking manoeuvre involve reversing, making it difficult to see. Keep looking around constantly 360 degrees. Children and cyclists tend to come out of nowhere very quickly.

Approaching vehicles and pedestrians

It may be appropriate to stop if a vehicle is approaching, just so you can get an idea what they plan on doing. If it looks like they are going to wait and let you continue, then proceed. If it looks like they want to get round, it may be a good idea to let them get out of the way before continuing.

Practice

These manoeuvres can be stressful when you are not very confident in your ability, especially if there is other vehicles waiting. If possible, find a quiet location where you can spend a little time to practice how to park. You should find that this will build your confidence.

Your seat belt

You may possibly find that when reversing, your seat belt restricts you from looking around efficiently. It is legal to remove your seat belt whilst reversing for this very reason.

Additional mirrors

Having additional mirrors fitted to your side mirrors are not only inexpensive, but also can aid in safety as they allow you so see areas that your standard side mirrors can’t always see. If you struggle with parking, either parallel or bay parking, these mirrors can also benefit you in terms of understanding distances of such obstacles as curbs and bay lines.

When to stop

It can be a little difficult to know when to stop whilst reversing. Use the tip in diagram D for bay parking, for parallel parking, you can see the cars head lights in your rear view mirror. Providing you can see them whilst reversing, you are not going to hit the car behind. As the cars head lights just disappear from your rear view mirror, you will still have a good metre or so distance from them. This is only a rough estimate and of course does not apply to large or taller vehicles that you are reversing towards.

How to Park a Car Perfectly? Easy Guide to Parallel Parking

Team Acko Jun 9, 2022

Emotions felt while driving a car can be subjective. For some, it is a liberating experience – people feel relaxed after a drive. On the other hand, some people look at driving as just a means to an end, a process to reach their destination. No matter how people perceive driving, they need to be good at one thing – car parking.

There are no half measures concerning car parking – you must get it right. Otherwise, there can be legal complications, chances of a mishap, and inconvenience. Besides, finding the right parking spot can be a daunting task – especially in the cities thanks to their space crunch. This makes car parking even more important. Read ahead to know how to park a car perfectly.

How to Park A Car? – Car Parking Tips:

Some people are flawless at parking. To get there, you will need lots of car parking sessions and patience. Here are some tips to help you out.

1) Slow It Down:

Keep the car’s speedometer in control. Let the car crawl – like a snail. The slower your car, the more you can control it. You can look around, be alert, and make the right decisions. This will not be possible (for amateurs) if your car is moving at a high speed.

2) Watch It:

You must be extra cautious of the surroundings depending upon where you are parking the vehicle. If you are parking the car in a designated parking lot, you need to concentrate on keeping a safe distance with other vehicles.

If you are parking it in an open space like a building compound or beside the road, you need to watch out for stray dogs, children, older folks, auto-rickshaws, other vehicles, pedestrians, among others.

3) Mirrors:

Getting used to the car’s rear-view mirrors and side-view mirrors can take time. However, continuous usage will be helpful. Some people install better mirrors to help them park well. Make sure you position the mirrors well so that you get a clear view while parking.

4) Gadgets:

Modern cars come with cameras (Parking Assist Technology) that assist in parking. If your car does not have one, and you feel it will be helpful to you, you can get such cameras installed in your vehicle.

5) Practice:

Like everything else, you will have to practice car parking to perfect it. That is how experienced car drivers ace the parking bit. It just happens organically for them – without much effort.

Step-by-Step Guide for Parallel Parking:

Parallel Parking is one of the ways to park your car perfectly, and it can be a tough cookie to crack. It is one thing to park in an open parking lot and another to squeeze your beloved vehicle between two parked cars on one side of the road while other vehicles are zooming past you. That’s pressure! But don’t worry. It is not impossible.

Car Parallel Parking can also be just as simple as parking in an open area, provided you get the basics right and have the confidence to pull it off. Here is the stepwise process to succeed at Parallel Parking. Assume that you are going to park your car on the right side of the road and there is a car in front of the vacant spot and one behind it.

Step 1 – Position:

Position your car parallelly along with the car that is in front of the vacant spot. Maintain a three to four feet distance from that car.

Step 2 – Mirror:

Check all the mirrors to avoid bumping your car. Hit the reverse gear and accelerate after you are convinced that there is no one near the vacant spot.

Step 3 – Reverse:

Turn the steering wheel to the right and reverse your car as you approach the vacant spot.

Step 4 – Straighten:

Straighten the steering as you enter the parking area. Keep checking the mirrors while moving backwards.

Step 5 – Steer Left:

After your car has entered the vacant spot and is close to the rear bumper of the vehicle in front, turn your car’s steering to the left and keep reversing.

Step 6 – Adjust:

You will have to move your vehicle a bit forward and a bit backward to get the right placement. Adjust your car accordingly.

Step 7 – Check:

Check for space between your car and the one in front and behind it. Make sure there is ample space for you and the other cars to move out of the Parallel Parking.

Types of Parking:

Throughout your driving experience, you will be required to park your car in different places and different positions. You might be required to park in a garage, in a parking lot, near a road or somewhere else. This means you will have to adjust to the area where you need to park your vehicle. All parking spots will not be the same and you will need to exhibit different types of parking skills to achieve the objective. Here are a few points about the different types of parking.

1) Angle Parking:

In this type of parking, cars are parked at an angle. In most cases, the cars face one direction. It is easy to park in and move out of an angular parking setting provided everyone follows the rules. Since it is easy to simply accelerate and zoom ahead from angle parking, you need to be alert while accelerating. Give the right signals and be on the lookout for signals from fellow drivers.

2) Perpendicular Parking:

This type of parking is common in parking lots, where people park their cars for a longer duration. Such type of parking is like angle parking but the angle here is perpendicular to the curb ahead. Cars will be parked in a 90-degree angle. You need to ensure that the tires of your car are pointing straight ahead and the car is positioned at the centre of the allocated parking spot in a perpendicular parking area.

3) Parallel Parking:

Car Parallel Parking is usually seen on the roads – cars are parked parallel to the road. This type of parking requires a certain amount of skill as it usually requires the driver to park in between two cars – one ahead and one behind. Entering and exiting the Parallel Parking needs focus on the surroundings and control on your driving.

4) Illegal Parking:

You need to park your vehicle only in designated areas. Parking your vehicle in spots where parking is prohibited will lead to monetary penalties. Parking cars in No Parking Zones and areas is an example of Illegal Parking.

5) Lot Parking:

If you are parking your car in a parking lot, you need to follow the rules and regulations prescribed by that area. They might have different types of parking in different areas for efficient usage of space.

6) Bay Parking:

Bay parking often involves reversing your car in an allocated area. There will be cars around you or space for cars around you, therefore, you need to be considerate about them and park accordingly.

7) Between two Vehicles:

Irrespective of the type of parking, you need to be alert and attentive while parking between two vehicles. One of the most common issues faced when a car is parked between two vehicles is – dent on the adjoining car’s door while opening your door or a scratch leading to loss of paint.

How to Find Good Parking Space?

This is a major concern in crowded cities – there is no space to park cars! Even in parking lots or parking areas in the basement of malls, there is unnecessary crowding on the weekends. Here are some tips to help you find a good parking spot.

Always be alert regarding No Parking Zones.

Park in a well-illuminated area.

Avoid parking in areas that are right opposite the shopping mall’s exit as trolleys can damage your car.

Wait near one row instead of roaming around in your car for a vacant spot in a parking lot.

Speak to fellow drivers regarding a vacant spot.

Keep an eye on people who are dangling their keys – they might be headed towards their car leaving a spot for you.

Be patient and be respectful towards the parking attendant and request for help if required.

Do not park in dingy places.

Avoid parking near garbage bins and grassy areas.

Issues while Parking Car Closer to the Curb:

The major issue with parking too close to the curb, or any barrier in front, is that you will have no space to move (turn or create an angle) your car. This can also lead to paint scraping or cause damage to the car’s tires if the car accidentally moves ahead even a bit while starting the engine.

Getting out of Extremely Tight Parking Spaces:

Here’s a situation. You visit a shopping mall and park your car in a relatively vacant parking lot. When you are done shopping and having a meal at the food court, you exit the mall and enter the car park to find out that the parking lot is full. In some cases, it is overflowing with excess cars. You reach your car and it is surrounded by cars on three sides and there’s only one way out – reversing. This is just one example of a tight parking spot.

Tight parking spots can happen on the road, in your residential complex, etc. The way out of it is to be patient and think logically. You must stay calm and focus your energy on finding the way out instead of focussing on the negatives. Have a good look at the setting. Play out scenarios in your head and check out different angles that can work. Enter your vehicle and begin driving slowly – do not speed up to leave in a hurry. If you have company, you can ask the other person to assist from outside the vehicle. If you are alone, you can request someone else for help regarding the angles.

In any case, if you cannot get out of the tight parking space, do not let your ego go wild and try to burst out. Be practical. Seek assistance from the parking attendant or a supervisor if it is a supervised setting. If you are on the road, you will just have to wait it out till the other vehicle moves and gives you space to exit.

Ways to Reverse Car in a Parking Spot:

There are two ways in which you can reverse your car in and out of a parking spot. First, do it straight and the other is to do it at an angle. You will have to choose between these two ways depending upon the kind of parking available and the position of your car. You can also adjust your rear-view mirror to get the right view while parking.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Here are some frequently asked questions related to car parking in India.

Will my car insurance company cover me if I damage my car while reversing?

Yes, your car insurance company will cover the damages to your car if you have a Comprehensive plan. Note that the plan needs to be active. You can buy or renew car insurance online easily, therefore, make sure that you have a wide-ranging cover and you keep renewing it before the expiry date.

Will I be asked to park my car in a particular manner in my driving test?

Car parking is an integral part of driving a four-wheeler. Therefore, you might be asked to display those skills in your driving test.

How can I get better at car parking?

Practising parking a car will help you to get better at it. You can practice it in and around your residential complex with an experienced driver.

How to park a car on a street?

The key to parking on a street is to be aware of the surroundings, make sure you are not in a no-parking zone. Confirm that it is safe to park your car there and that there is ample space for you to park and move your car away from the spot without any obstructions.

Is it illegal to street park in front of someone’s house?

The answer depends upon the rules and regulations of that area. Be on the lookout for any signs related to parking on the street. Also, think logically. Do not park a car in front of someone’s house if it is going to block the entryway. If you are unsure, consider asking around if it is okay to park in that area.

How do you park a car between two lines?

Dedicated parking areas often have lines that act as a guide for drivers to park their car. Make sure to park your car within those lines. Park at the centre of those lines so that there is ample space for your car and other cars when it comes to entering and exiting the car and moving out of the parking area.

How to park a car between two cars?

Parking between two cars is challenging. Depending upon the position of the cars around you and the available parking spot, you will either have to Parallel Park or park as if parking between lines in a parking lot or in a bay area. Refer to the ‘Step-by-Step Guide for Parallel Parking’ section in this article for the parallel parking process. In the case of side-by-side parking, make sure to be attentive, focused, and logical. Leave ample space for entering and exiting. Think about other cars and space required for them to enter and exit. In general, follow the Car Parking Tips mentioned in this article.

Everyday Maneuvers: How to Park a Car Between Two Other Vehicles

Compared to navigating a parallel parking space, parking your car between two other cars in a standard parking space is relatively simple. There are two types of standard parking spaces. You will likely encounter both straight parking spaces and diagonal parking spaces in your driving career. Here is how to park in a diagonal parking space:

There is a small difference in parking techniques when we deal with straight parking spaces. Before you park your car, you must locate an open parking space. There are several aspects of an ideal parking spot.

How To Find A Parking Space

Make sure that the cars parked on either side of the open parking space are aligned within their own parks and not situated too close to the perimeter of the open space.

If parking in an open parking lot at night, try to find a parking space that is in close proximity to a light for added safety.

If parking in the parking lot of a retail store, try to locate an open parking space that is away from shopping cart collectors or groups of unattended shopping carts. This will help prevent your vehicle from being damaged while parked in a parking lot.

Although convenience is important, parking midway down an aisle of parking spaces is often better than parking in a space close to the beginning of an aisle. Your vehicle will be less likely to be totally surrounded by other vehicles and there will be less traffic when you enter and exit the space.

The following video will also help you choose the safest parking spot available when you need to park in a parking lot:

After you find the ideal parking space, use the following guidelines to quickly and safely park your vehicle.

How To Park Straight Between Two Cars

Slowly position your vehicle so that it is in the center of the parking aisle. If the aisle is made for only one direction of traffic, position your vehicle as far as you can to the opposite side of the aisle to allow more room for turning.

Stop your vehicle when its front bumper is approximately half of the way past the parking space before the one you plan to park in.

Turn your wheel towards the parking space and slowly begin to drive your car into the space. Check the left and right sides of your vehicle to ensure that there is a reasonable amount of free space on either side.

Keep turning your steering wheel as you pull into the parking space until your car is parallel with the vehicles parked on either side of that space.

Continue to slowly pull forward until your car is completely inside the parking space. Be careful not to park too close to any vehicle that is parked directly in front of you.

Turn off your ignition and exit the vehicle.

To exit a parking space when other vehicles are parked on either side of you, you must first evaluate the proximity of the two vehicles. If you are able to turn to either side when reversing out of the space, turn towards the side on which the closest car is parked. This will give the front of your vehicle more room in which to turn as you exit the parking space.

Visualize the whole procedure using the following video:

Parking in a standard parking space is typically one of the most common maneuvers that experienced drivers make.

Remember that parking lots are often busy with pedestrian traffic. Always look out for people walking to and from their vehicles as you look for a space and park your car.

4 Easy Steps to Park a Car

Parking a car can be an uphill task, especially for beginners. It could be that the parking spaces are not large or the lot has less space. There are three different types of parking spaces found in parking lots: Parallel, angled, and perpendicular. You might need to take car parking lessons videos before taking a driver’s exams or hitting the road.

So, are you a new driver? Do you find parking your vehicle a difficult task? Worry no more because this article addresses various tips on how to park a car like a pro. All you need to do is follow the guideline stated out on how to park a car step by step.

How to Park in a Perpendicular Lot

1. Take the Right Position

Always approach a perpendicular lot at a reasonable distance from other vehicles in the parking lot. Depending on the parking lot, the space to park might be either right or left.

Ensure your car is at least 8 feet far from other vehicles in the parking lot on the driver’s or passenger’s side. Make sure you have an 8-foot distance from your car to the spaces when there are no cars near you. While doing this, ensure not to take another person’s parking position.

2. Make Sure the Signal Is On

Turning on the signal, let alerts other drivers of your intention to park in a free spot — lookout for pedestrians, cars, or any other obstacles. Until the front bumper of your vehicle passes the rear light of the other automobile close to the parking spot, you have to keep driving forward.

3. Steer Your Wheel

As your front bumper crosses the backlight of the car parked next to yours, you will need to steer more than when you are parking at an angled spot.

Drive forward and pull into space, but ensure they aren’t any objects, debris, or shopping carts on the way. Keep moving until the back of your car is in the space, and the front is facing the area.

To do this, adjust your side mirror to be in line with those in the car beside yours. Ensure your front bumper is not in the front space, and the backside of your vehicle is not coming out of the parking space.

4. Align Your Wheels

Straighten the wheels once your car is in the parking space. You can also do this when leaving your space before you start reversing the vehicle.

How to Park a Car in an Angled Spot

1. Find a Less Crowded Parking Space

Practicing in a parking lot is more comfortable when done in a parking space, not surrounded by many cars. Mistakes are likely to occur.

Thus people learning how to drive or haven’t driven in a long time should park in an area with no car before driving for long-distance. It’s also easier to learn how to park a vehicle backward in an empty parking lot.

2. Place Your Car

You have to ensure that the gap between any other parked vehicle and yours is at least 5 or 6 feet.

Ensure a five or 6-foot distance away from other cars in the lot. This measure helps when parking because the rest of the steps come in handy while cutting your wheel.

3. Alert When You Have Found a Parking Spot

Alerting other drivers when you have detected a parking space to let them know where you want to park. Drive forward until you can see the middle of the parking spot you want to occupy.

Be careful while doing this and ensure not to take some one’s space. Check if anyone is trying to back-out of the spot close to you as you are driving forward.

4. Steer the Wheel

5. Align Your Wheel

Once you stop your vehicle, ensure your wheel is straight to enable you back out of your spot. Do this when you park your car.

How to Park in a Parallel Lot

1. Locate the Right Space

You will need to locate a preferred area where you can park your car without hitting the vehicle either in front of you or behind you.

Parking lots with parallel spaces, singled out with white lines are a lot easier to park than on the street. Watch out for areas in the extreme of the lot as it’s easier to navigate. You can park in such spaces even when using a long car.

In a situation where you need to search for a wide enough space, you will have to find one that is many feet longer than your car.

When you finally locate a preferred spot, make sure no vehicle is riding the same way using your mirror. Remember to make a signal, slow down, and then stop. If you have a rider behind, you can tell them to go around you while you are still maintaining your position.

2. Move Carefully

To park between two vehicles, you must first secure a 2-foot distance between your car and other vehicle in front of your space. Getting too close to the one in front can lead to scraping of the other vehicle. Ensure your car’s bumper is in line with the other vehicles, staying at least 2 feet behind it.

3. Use Your Side Mirrors

To do this, ensure that the space behind you free is by making use of the driver’s side mirror. Check the space by looking over your shoulder. Move backward until your bumper reaches about 3-4 feet in the back of the vehicle close to you.

Free the brakes to move the wheel to the right and back up into space. Always check the front and around your car, to ensure other vehicles don’t get in your way.

Keep a distance of 2 to 3 feet between your car and the vehicle in front of you. Thus, you won’t have to scrap another car. You can use the mirrors to know the distance between your rear bumper and the car behind. Switch your gears to drive and move forward a few feet, so you don’t hit the curb.

4. Turn to the Left by Rotating the Steering Wheel

You can do this once your front wheel is close to the back bumper, then reverse backward. Don’t forget to check the side to ensure no car is in front. Use the side and back mirrors to know how far your vehicle is from the one behind you.

5. Drive In

Turn your vehicle in the space to the right using your steering wheel. Proceed towards the bend and align your car in the area.

When you are within 30cm of the curve, park, and then disengage the key. Mastering this type of parking is a regular practice.

Do not run from awkward parking positions. Instead, try to park your car and learn from each experience. That way, you will learn how to park a car between two cars.

Final Words

You don’t need to search through how to park a car YouTube for you to know how to get it done. All it takes is constant practice and the right guidance. Follow our guide on how to park a car step by step and become a pro today.