What are the operation steps for parallel parking?
4 Answers
Align the center of your chest with the left side of the rightmost marking line ahead, and drive forward while maintaining this alignment. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right, and when you see in the mirror that the rear of the car just covers the corner of the parking space, straighten the steering wheel. When the rear wheels just run over the marking line, immediately turn the steering wheel all the way to the left. When you feel the car body is straight, press the clutch and brake to stop. Turn on the left turn signal, press the clutch, shift to first gear, and slowly drive the car out. Parallel parking is completed.
I've been driving for over a decade, and parallel parking is my forte. The first step is to find a parking space that's at least half a meter longer than your car. Then, drive up and park parallel to the car in front, keeping a distance of about one meter for easy maneuvering. The second step is to shift into reverse, turn the steering wheel all the way to the right towards the parking space, and slowly back up while watching the side mirror. Stop when you see half of the neighboring car's taillight. The third step is to straighten the steering wheel, continue backing up a short distance while checking blind spots to ensure safety. The fourth step is to turn the steering wheel to the left until the car is properly aligned within the parking space, then adjust the position and come to a complete stop. The entire process should be slow and steady, and using the mirrors effectively can reduce the risk of collisions. Remember to turn on the turn signal to alert surrounding vehicles. When practicing, try it on a quiet street first; once you get the rhythm, it becomes easy. Beginners often misjudge the angle, so using the wheels as a reference against the curb can help.
When I first got my driver's license, I was especially afraid of parking. After practicing a few times, I got the hang of it. Find a good spot and align your car within half a meter of the car in front, so there's enough space when reversing. Shift into reverse, turn the steering wheel all the way to the right, and slowly back up until the car is at a 45-degree angle (you'll feel like you can see the parking line through the side window). Then straighten the wheel and move forward a bit. Next, check the rearview mirror until you see the rear car's bumper, then immediately turn the steering wheel to the left to adjust into the spot. The tricky part is keeping an eye on everything: scan blind spots to avoid scratches, and watch the steering wheel angle to avoid over-turning. I use small decorations in the car as reference points to remember positions, which helps me stay calm. If you don't get it right the first time, try a few more times without rushing—keeping a low speed is key because it's hard to control if you go too fast.
From a safety perspective, parallel parking must be performed in a step-by-step and steady manner. Ensure the parking space is longer than your vehicle before attempting to park to avoid insufficient space. Before shifting into reverse, confirm the surroundings are safe: use rearview mirrors and turn your head to check for pedestrians or obstacles. First, turn the steering wheel fully to the right to begin reversing, then straighten the wheels when the rear wheels align with the rear of the car in front. Continue reversing until the rear wheels are close to the curb, then turn the steering wheel to the left to position the car. Maintain a low speed throughout the process and keep both hands firmly on the steering wheel to prevent shaking. The key is to use point-to-point visual references: for example, align the car's angle with the target position using the rearview mirror. Practice in an open area to build a solid foundation, avoiding common beginner mistakes like sharp turns or misjudging distances that can lead to scrapes.
