Knowing reference points makes knowing how to park a car much easier
Perpendicular Parking
Parallel Parking
Angle Parking
curb Parking
Parking Tips for safety
It is important to know reference points to be looking for through your window to know how to park a car to keep from hitting obstacles and to get into the middle of your space.
This section will go over reference points for parking a car in all directions, even reversing into a stall.
Parking lots have a lot of collisions because there are so many drivers and people, in such a small space.
*Backing up carelessly is the greatest cause of collisions in parking lots.
Move slow, but turn fast into your parking space.
moving slow allows you greater control is a small space and turning
fast positions your car where you need it at the right time.
The speed you need to come into a stall is so low,
just
above 0 MPH, that once you start turning into the spot your foot
should be covering the brake with just enough pressure to keep moving at
this slow speed until you are straight in the stall.
There should be no need to use your gas pedal once you turn into the space unless you are coming uphill.
Look all directions continuously the direction you are moving when backing.
This
includes to the left, the right AND directly behind your vehicle. As
you are turning out of your stall, it's easy to remember looking to the
sides but not behind. this is where a car could be backing out opposite
from you, or a pedestrian could be there.
Also don't take it for granted that no one will be behind you in a fairly empty, unused parking lot.
Many times, when practicing how to park a car with students in empty lots, we've seen not only cars speeding through, but also pedestrians and bicyclists.
One other good rule to follow is to find a stall away from other parked cars, not so secluded that it makes you unsafe, but with enough space that you wont be in danger of hitting other parked cars or them hitting you.
Are you looking for a Portland driving school in Portland Oregon?
Call Americas Driving School at 503-977-3000
for information on patient, professional driving lessons.
Parking is an important part of any road test and can make the difference of whether you pass or fail.
This video will show you parallel parking as well as parking lot parking and most everything else a drive tester will look for so you pass the first time.
Perpendicular Parking
above is a picture of perpendicular parked cars. Cars parked straight in, on either side of a parking lot isle. This is probably the hardest parking to master after parallel parking.
Before turning into a stall, your easiest point of reference will be using your side mirror in relation to the FIRST line you approach of the stall you intend to enter.
Also be about 8 feet away opposite of the space you are aiming for, this makes it much easier to bring your wheels straight without bumping the curb.
How to park a car in a perpendicular stall:
For Reverse Perpendicular parking click here
Angle Parking
Parking a car in an angled stall is the easiest way to park a car.
This
is one reason many businesses choose to have angle parking in their
lots. It also allows for more spaces than perpendicular parking
stalls.
How to park a car in an angled stall:
click here for reverse angle parking
Parallel Parking
Parallel parking is the skill of parking between two cars parked beside the curb by aligning your car parallel with the car in front and backing between the two cars at a 45 degree angle into the parking spot.
It sounds hard and is probably the hardest parking to learn, however if you know what reference points to use, it's not as difficult as it seems.
How to park a car in a parallel spot between two vehicles:
Curb Parking
Curb parking is pulling to a curb curb in front of your vehicle or to the side of your vehicle. Using reference points will keep you from scraping the curb when parking at the curb.
How to park a car beside or in front of a curb:
For curb parking reference points click here
DMV Practice Tests DriversEd.com.
driving safely
Collisions caused by aggressive drivers