What are the dimensions for parallel parking markings?
3 Answers
Parallel parking dimensions depend on the vehicle type. Below is relevant information about parallel parking spaces: Detailed dimensions for parallel parking: According to the "Specifications for Motor Vehicle Driver Examination Sites and Facilities Setup," standard parallel parking space dimensions are as follows: For large vehicles, the parking space width is 4m, with lengths ranging from 7m to 10m depending on the vehicle type. For standard cars, parking spaces are 2.2m to 2.5m wide and 5m long. For auxiliary lane small vehicles: one-side parking width is 5m, two-side parking width is 6m, and for large vehicles it's 8m. Precautions for parallel parking: Before parking, check if the space can accommodate your vehicle. If attempting to park in a tight space, multiple attempts may be needed, which wastes time and risks scratches. First, position your vehicle at the left front of the parking space, maintaining about 1m horizontal distance from the vehicle ahead. Adjust the distance until your right window center aligns with the center of the front vehicle, then fully turn the steering wheel right and begin reversing. When your right mirror overlaps with the B-pillar position of the front vehicle (center point for large vehicles), your car should be at about 45 degrees - continue reversing slowly. Stop reversing when your right rear is aligned with the front vehicle's left taillight, then slowly reverse leftward. If the vehicle appears tilted, make gradual adjustments.
When it comes to the size standards for parallel parking, the most common type I encounter while driving is the marked roadside parking spaces. The length is usually around 6 meters, and the width is approximately 2.5 meters, which can generally accommodate regular sedans. The markings are made with 10 cm wide solid white lines, making them highly visible. Once, while helping a friend move, I noticed that parking space dimensions can vary in different locations: older residential areas often have narrower spaces, while shopping mall underground garages tend to be wider, sometimes up to 2.8 meters. If you're parking a large SUV, remember to leave extra margin, as the rear of the car can easily cross the line. During driving lessons, my instructor said the key is to watch the corner of the parking space in the rearview mirror—that white line position is the best reference point.
Our driving school teaches parallel parking using standard 6-meter long, 2.5-meter wide parking spaces. The white lines are uniformly 10 cm wide, with L-shaped corner markings at both ends. However, the actual road test presents various scenarios: in some older sections, the worn markings shrink the space to 2.3 meters wide, while newly planned areas offer more spacious dimensions. I always remind students to maintain a 30 cm distance between the car body and the boundary line – the relative position between the white line and door handle in the rearview mirror provides the most accurate reference. Don't just memorize reference points; practicing observation is key, as real parking lot dimensions are never completely uniform.
