What is the rhyme for parallel parking?
4 Answers
The rhyme for parallel parking is: 1. When the right rearview mirror no longer sees the right angle, turn the steering wheel one full turn to the right; 2. When the left rearview mirror sees two-thirds of the side line, turn the steering wheel one full turn to the left until the left rear wheel crosses the line, then turn the steering wheel fully to the left; 3. When the seam of the left hood aligns with the yellow straight line, step on the brake; 4. When the front of the car crosses the line, turn the steering wheel one full turn to the right to correct the position, then drive straight. Parallel parking is becoming increasingly common in cities, especially when regular parking spaces are in short supply. Many areas have converted the sides of streets into parallel parking spaces. In the past, parallel parking was practiced using four poles placed on the ground to symbolize the four corners of a garage. One of the criteria for successful parking was whether the vehicle could enter the garage smoothly without touching these four poles. After the implementation of new traffic regulations, parallel parking no longer uses poles; instead, all boundaries are marked with lines on the ground.
When I first started learning to drive, my instructor always emphasized that the key mantra for parallel parking is 'First parallel, Second align, Third full turn, Fourth straighten, Fifth fine-tune.' This means first parking parallel to the car in front, leaving a safe distance—not too close or too far. Then, reverse while watching the side mirror, and once your rear wheel aligns with the rear bumper of the front car, immediately turn the steering wheel fully to one side. Continue reversing slowly until the car is roughly parallel to the curb, then straighten the wheel and stop. Finally, adjust forward or backward as needed to center the car in the parking space. This simple and memorable mantra helped me pass my driving test on the first try. Remember to drive slowly, stay patient, and practice a few times to get the hang of it. Safety comes first when driving—always observe pedestrians and other vehicles around you.
As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I believe the mantra for parallel parking is 'Position, Observe, Adjust, and Park.' First, align your car parallel to the vehicle in front. Second, while reversing, watch the position of your rear wheels and turn the steering wheel decisively when alignment is needed. Third, straighten the wheels once the car is parallel and come to a complete stop. Memorizing the mantra isn't enough; the key is to develop a feel for it. For instance, avoid turning the steering wheel too sharply to prevent hitting the curb, and reverse slowly for better control—using the rearview camera adds stability. With more driving practice, you'll find this mantra saves you a lot of hassle, especially on crowded city streets. Combine it with real-road practice, and parking becomes a breeze.
The mnemonic I remember is "parallel stop, align and turn, parallel back, adjust and finish." First, parallel park in front of the target parking space; when reversing, check the rearview mirror and turn the steering wheel at the alignment point; straighten the wheel once the car body is parallel; finally, fine-tune the position to park properly. I relied on this when learning to drive—it rhymes like a catchy phrase, making it easy to grasp. In practical use, don’t overlook speed control; reverse slowly. Always check blind spots for pedestrians or bicycles. The mnemonic is a guiding tool, but repeated practice is key. Beginners can improve quickly by starting in open spaces.
