Next, turn your steering wheel to the left using the same technique from Step 2. If your rear tire has hit the curb, it may be difficult to correct the alignment of your vehicle - Solomon recommends starting over when it's clear to pull out of the parking space. Solomon recommends stopping again at this point. Slowly ease off the brake again, and let your vehicle reverse into the space until your car's front right bumper has cleared the left rear bumper of the vehicle in front of you. With your vehicle at a stop, straighten out your steering wheel. When your right rear bumper is halfway into the parking space at a 45-degree angle, stop the vehicle, says Solomon.

If you need to use the car's accelerator to get your car moving, use only very light pressure on the gas. Slowly ease your foot off the brake pedal, with the wheel still turned, and let your vehicle begin entering the parking space. He recommends being a half-turn away from the steering wheel's maximum rotation. It's important not to turn your wheel too far, says Solomon - if you can't turn the wheel any further to the right, then you've gone too far. Start with your left hand on the top center of your steering wheel, and turn the wheel tightly to the right. Stretch your right arm over the back of your car's passenger seat to help turn your body so you have better visibility as you prepare to reverse, says Solomon. Once your vehicle is properly lined up, shift the vehicle to reverse and use your car's mirrors to verify there is no oncoming traffic. You should also allow about 3 feet of distance between the passenger side of your vehicle and the driver's side of the car next to you.

Solomon says lining up the rear bumper of your car to the rear bumper of the vehicle that will be parked in front of you is key. And, while you're learning, you may want to practice parallel parking behind one car at first (rather than between two cars) to help minimize the risk of striking another object.Īfter you've located a parking space, use your right-hand turn signal to alert other drivers that you're about to park. You should also visually inspect the parking space for any debris, such as trash or broken glass, so you can help avoid potential damage to your car's tires, says Solomon. If you're a beginner, Solomon recommends locating a parking space on a low-traffic street that is at least 4 to 6 feet longer than your vehicle. Keep in mind that, while some one-way streets may have parallel parking spaces on both sides of the road, these steps are a guide to parallel parking on the right-hand side only. Whether you're just learning how to parallel park or consider yourself a seasoned pro, the following tips from Solomon may help ensure you're following the proper technique and safety measures.

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