Should You Turn Left or Right First When Parallel Parking?
4 Answers
Maintain a distance of approximately 30 centimeters between the right side of the car body and the edge of the parking space. Drive straight to the starting line, then begin reversing while observing the right rear-view mirror. When the front line of the parking space disappears from the rear-view mirror, turn the steering wheel fully to the right and continue reversing. Upon seeing the inner corner of the parking space, turn the steering wheel one full rotation to the left and continue reversing. When the left rear tire is about to touch the dashed line of the parking space edge in the left rear-view mirror, turn the steering wheel one more full rotation to the left while simultaneously observing both left and right rear-view mirrors.
I remember when I first learned to drive, parallel parking made me especially nervous. My instructor taught me to first reverse while turning the steering wheel to the right, allowing the rear of the car to smoothly enter the parking space when close to the curb. Once the car body formed a 45-degree angle with the car behind, I had to quickly turn the steering wheel to the left to straighten the front of the car, then use slow speed to fine-tune the position. This sequence helped me overcome my fear of parking in narrow city alleys after several practice sessions. Once, I mistakenly turned left first, causing the rear of the car to scrape against a nearby guardrail and costing me money for a paint job. So, beginners must firmly remember this basic procedure. When parking, ensure there’s enough space and don’t rush—safety first is key. Once good habits are formed, parallel parking becomes as natural and effortless as muscle memory.
As a seasoned commuter who drives in the city every day, I've developed a habit for parallel parking: immediately reverse and turn the wheel to the right to let the rear wheels slide into the target spot, then wait until the car is at an angle before turning left to straighten out. Just a few simple steps and it's done. The key is to stay calm and avoid panicking. I remember when I first started driving, I often got the sequence wrong, wasting time adjusting the direction. Now, I always take a quick glance at the rearview mirror to confirm the distance before parking to avoid scratches. After practicing a few times, you'll find this method incredibly practical—it can squeeze into even the tightest spots. With enough experience, the whole process becomes as smooth as breathing, requiring no second thoughts.
When reversing, I simply turn the steering wheel to the right to align the wheels toward the curb. Once the rear of the car is properly positioned, I turn left to straighten the vehicle, then slowly come to a stop. This method is straightforward and efficient, avoiding unnecessary back-and-forth adjustments that waste fuel. Beginners often make the mistake of turning the wrong direction, leading to insufficient space and potential scrapes. Remember to use your turn signals to alert other drivers, and always prioritize smooth, steady movements over speed to save time.
