Mastering the art: Easy guide to perfect parallel parking

Parking a car can be a challenging task in India, especially when proper spacing is unavailable. Parking can be divided into a few groups, such as angle parking, perpendicular parking, perpendicular back parking and parallel parking. Among them, the last one can be a bit tricky, especially if you are new to this. So, to make parallel parking easy, we have shared some tips and a step-by-step guide for your reference.

What is parallel parking?

Parallel parking is one of the most common types of parking seen on roads and in parking lots of shopping malls, offices, etc. It is a method of parking a four-wheeler parallel to the road or the parking cutout, in line with other vehicles. It requires quite a bit of attention and skill to perfectly park the car between two vehicles- one in front and the other at the back. Also, note that you will need the same amount of care and effort to get out of the parallel park spot as when you got in.

Parallel parking: A step-by-step guide

If you want to master parallel parking, you have to practice it a few times to get the hang of it. Following is a step-by-step guide to parallel parking;

1. Pick an open spot: The first step to parallel park is to find an empty spot. Once you get that, make sure the length of the empty space is at least 1.5 times of your vehicle. Also, ensure that the space in the back and front of the parking space is sufficient.

2. Signal and position: After finalising the spot, turn on the indicator to signal your intent to park. Then, position your vehicle parallel to the car in front of the vacant spot, leaving a clearance of approximately 2 feet or 61 cm.

3. Backup and align: Now, switch to your reverse gear, rotate the steering wheel all the way to the left or right, whichever fits your case, and start to slowly reverse. Once your right or left wheel aligns with the rear bumper of the car in the front, straighten the wheel.

4. Finish the movement: Then, keep reversing until your vehicle is at a 45° angle to the curb, turn the steering wheel entirely to the left or right, whichever fits your case, and reverse into the parking space. Make further adjustments if needed to stay within the drawn lines of the lot and keep even space at the front and the back.

Tips for parallel parking

If you are new to parallel parking or parking in general, there are some tips you can follow for a flawless experience. They are:

1. Keep calm: Make sure to stay calm when parking to avoid unnecessary hassles and maintain a slow approach.

2. Watch out: Scrutinise your surroundings carefully to avoid hitting someone or an object.

3. Use mirrors: Make proper use of your mirrors and parking assistance features for a smoother experience.

4. Practice: Keep practising parallel parking in an empty space and master the craft with time and effort.

Conclusion

Learning how to parallel park can really come in handy, especially in major cities and places where parking spaces are hard to find. Though it may sound and look a bit tricky to an inexperienced driver, it can be flawlessly mastered with proper practice.