Should the Handbrake Be Applied During Parallel Parking?
2 Answers
Parallel parking does not require applying the handbrake. Below are the relevant details about parallel parking: Exam Requirements: The exam requirement for parallel parking is that the driver must maneuver the vehicle into a right-side parking space without the wheels touching the lane boundary or the parking space boundary. Content and Requirements of Subject 2: The five assessment items are reversing into a parking space, parallel parking, stopping and starting on a slope, turning at a right angle, and driving through curves. Subject 2 requires 26 study hours, of which 2 hours are theoretical knowledge, so the actual practical hours are 24.
Of course, you should engage the handbrake after parallel parking! I make it a habit to pull it up every time I park. Just think about it—if the wheels are against the curb or parked on a slope, it would be a real hassle if the car rolled and scratched the vehicles in front or behind. Especially for manual transmission cars, relying solely on gear engagement isn’t stable enough. Although automatic transmissions have a lock function in 'P' mode, using the handbrake as a double safeguard is the safest approach. If you park on a slippery road during heavy rain, where tire grip weakens, a car without the handbrake engaged is like stepping on a banana peel. There was even a news story about a Tesla rolling automatically on a slope because the handbrake wasn’t fully engaged. Developing the habit of pulling the handbrake within three seconds after parking is both worry-free and reliable.
