We all agree that parallel parking can be a tough task especially if you are not used to it. Observe all the rules for parallel parking for an easy time.
To pass your driving test, you need to master the art of parallel parking.
The skilled instructors at our driving school are always ready to help you in practicing to achieve perfect parking skills.
Check out the rules that you should never forget before considering parallel parking.
Let’s dive in.
Rules for Parallel Parking
Before parking your car, keep in mind the following DMV parking rule to avoid getting off the law.
Remember that parking has three categories: parking, stopping, and standing.
Parking is when your car has stopped temporarily or stopped to offload goods or passengers. Non-adherence earns you parking tickets.
Here are some parallel parking rules to remember:
- If there’s a sign saying NO STANDING, you can only temporarily stop to unload goods or passengers without the driver getting out of the car.
- A NO PARKING sign means you shouldn’t park in the area, and you can only stop temporarily to offload goods and passengers.
- A NO STOPPING regulation indicates that you should stop at the given point. Waiting, unloading goods, or dropping off passengers is not allowed.
- The BUS STOP sign means the stop is meant for buses only; the sign has the bus routes, destination, and address. You are not allowed to stop in this area.
- The METERED PARKING sign shows that you can only park in the area for the indicated hours.
What Does Your Examiner Look at When You Are Parallel Parking?
Here’s what your examiner will be looking for when examining the rules of parallel driving on your driver’s test.
1. Control
Your speed is of great interest to your examiner. The examiner doesn’t expect you to be extra fast as a beginner. In the maneuver, you need to take your time.
Choose a speed that won’t break the maneuver; a slower speed will give you total control over the vehicle.
2. Coordination
Preparing adequately before taking the driving test helps you maintain your coordination skills, something that your examiner checks a lot.
Apart from steering the wheel and reversing properly, ensure you remember the MSM routine to check the surrounding.
3. Precision
Distractions during parallel parking can be disastrous, not only to you, but you are at the risk of messing with other cars or pedestrians in the parking lot.
Try your best to ensure precise steering and keep a reasonable distance from the next car without hitting it.
6 Steps for Parallel Parking
1. Select a Large Space
Don’t be attracted to the first parking space you see, move, and look for a space that is one and a half times longer than your vehicle.
Once you spot the right parking area, use your mirrors to check who is around, turn on the signals, and confirm with your mirrors that the way is safe.
Remember to look at your shoulders before moving on to ensure you don’t interfere with oncoming traffic.
After getting there, pull near the car you are supposed to get behind, keeping a reasonable distance.
2. Switch to Reverse Mode
Sitting up and turning the shoulders in a 90 degrees position from your seat enhances your parking skills.
Be gentle in reversing the car until it aligns with the next car’s rear bumper. Once a car approaches the rear, stick to your position without turning off your signals or removing the car from the reverse.
3. Adjust Your Position
Once you get to the parking space, ensure it’s closest to the curb and at a 45-degree angle. Stop as soon as you see the car’s headlights behind in your side wing mirror.
In most cars, the passenger’s side wing mirror is your cue to turn the wheels once it aligns with the car’s rear bumper.
Continue backing the car until it’s aligned with other cars and the road edge.
4. Straighten Up
Before stopping completely, take a steer to the left and straighten up your wheels, after which you can select neutral.
Always ensure that you center your car between the other cars leaving a space to exit.
While straightening up your car, keep stealing a glance at your mirrors since your examiner will note that too.
It’s not a must to straighten up the wheels perfectly with the first move; sometimes, you need to make more attempts before mastering the art.
5. Pay for Your Parking Space
When parallel parking in a busy city, it’s essential to pay for your parking space. Most parallel parking spots have assigned parking meters that require coins to operate.
Forgetting to pay for your parking space can result in hefty fines, so be sure to feed your meter after parking your car. Not only does it save you from a fine, but it also ensures a smooth parking experience for you and other drivers.
6. Turn the Steering to the Left Side
Once you’ve backed up, it’s time to turn your steering wheel to the left and shift your car into forward gear. Before proceeding, check for any oncoming traffic in the lane you’re about to enter.
As you start to drive forward, make sure that you’re not too close to the back bumper of the vehicle in front of you. Proceed slowly and carefully to ensure a safe and smooth exit.
With these tips, you’ll master the art of turning and exiting a parallel park in no time.
Places You Are Not Allowed to Park
- Within 10m of traffic light showing STOP or YIELD sign.
- 6 meters within a fire station driveway
- Along a curb that cuts to the sidewalk
- 15 meters of railway crossing
- In a tunnel or a bridge
- On the sidewalk
- On the side of another parked vehicle
Parking Spaces for People with Disabilities
It’s worth noting that once you come across a parking space labeled with a sign that says it’s reserved for people with disabilities, let parking there not cross your mind.
You can park in these places if your vehicle has its plates labeled for people with disabilities or you have someone with a permit in the vehicle.
Standing, stopping, or packing on the spaces is illegal if you don’t have a permit from New York or other states.
Faking or providing false information about parking on these spaces is an offense and earns you a fine of $1,000 and a surcharge of $30.
Use the MV-6641 form for the parking permit and vehicle plate application.
Using Indicators While Parallel Parking
If you’re a driver, you know how important it is to communicate with other drivers on the road. This is especially true when you’re parallel parking your car. But which indicator should you use? The answer is simple – always keep your indicator switched on, whether left or right. This is the only way to let other drivers know about your intended turn. So, use your indicators wisely to ensure a safe and smooth parallel park every time.
The Easy Formula for Perfect Parallel Parking
Parallel parking can be daunting, but with the right technique, it can become a breeze. One of the easiest methods is the 1:2:1 formula. This method involves turning the wheel one turn to the left, two turns to the right, and then one turn to the left again. These turns guide the car into the parking space, resulting in a smooth and perfect parallel park every time. Additionally, using reference points such as the curb and other parked cars can help you gauge the distance and angle of your parking.
Where to Look and How to Steer When Reversing
Reversing can be challenging, especially when parallel parking. But with a few simple tips, you can master this essential driving skill. When reversing to the left, look over your left shoulder with frequent glances to the front, and when reversing to the right, do the same over your right shoulder. This ensures you have a clear view of your surroundings and can maneuver safely. Additionally, turning the steering wheel in the direction you want the rear of the vehicle to go helps guide your car into the parking space. With these techniques, you’ll be able to reverse and parallel park like a pro!
Final Thoughts: Rules for Parallel Parking
When you are conversant and used to parallel parking, you will have an easy time, and with practice, this will be an easy task.
Now that you have an idea of steps to follow in parallel parking, practice how to successfully pull out of parallel parking.
Adhering to the rules for parallel parking will keep you on the safe side of the law, and if you are a learner, always consult your instructor when you are in doubt about what to do.
All the best as you perfect your parking skills.