What is the distance requirement for parallel parking?
3 Answers
30 centimeters along the edge line is the optimal distance for parallel parking. Parallel parking techniques: Judgment: Generally, the length of your own car plus about one meter is sufficient for parallel parking, but this still requires high technical skill. Drive forward to an appropriate distance: To prepare for reversing, drive forward until your car is roughly aligned with the car in front of the parking space, with a horizontal distance of 1 meter between the two cars. Adjust the rearview mirror angle downward until you can see the right wheel, preparing for reversing. Reverse slowly: Turn the steering wheel fully to the right until the left rearview mirror shows the right turn. Continue reversing slowly with the steering wheel fully turned to the right until the left rearview mirror can safely see the front of the car behind. Then quickly turn the steering wheel from the far right to the far left and continue reversing.
After driving for so long, I feel that parallel parking distance isn't strictly defined—it depends on the situation. Safety distance is most important; generally, it's recommended to keep about half a meter to one meter between your front bumper and the car in front to avoid scraping when reversing. My usual habit is to signal first, drive slowly, and look for a spot aiming for a 40-50 cm gap—too close makes it hard to open doors, too far wastes space. Also, don't forget the distance from the curb, usually keeping 15-20 cm to prevent scraping the wheels. In rain or snow, I increase the distance a bit since it's easy to slide on slippery surfaces. For beginners, start practicing in open areas with an experienced person guiding you a few times—remember, practice makes perfect. In short, be flexible, not rigid; safety first is more important than anything else.
Parking in the city can be challenging, and I've seen many cars get scratched due to poor distance control. It's advisable to maintain a 30-50 cm gap both front and back for easier and safer access. In actual driving, I always take a quick glance at surrounding obstacles, especially when parking on narrow streets, leaving extra space to prevent pedestrians from squeezing through. Legally, some areas require at least 30 cm of space to avoid traffic blockages, and my personal experience proves this is crucial. In busy traffic areas, I prefer to park in wider spots near the curb. Additionally, I pay attention to slopes—when parking downhill, I park closer to prevent rolling. Practicing reversing skills regularly makes distance management a piece of cake.
