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Parallel parking takes skill and is part of every road test. You must know where parking is illegal and what NO PARKING, NO STANDING and NO STOPPING signs indicate. 

## HOW TO PARK 

Many motorists consider parallel parking the most difficult part of driving. But practice will teach you how to back up correctly and to judge distances and angles. 

Some vehicles have additional safety equip- ment (such as back up cameras and range-de- tecting sensors) to help the driver back up safely. 

Some vehicles can even park themselves (in certain conditions). Although these can be useful features, you need to be alert and check the area behind your vehicle before you back up. YOU – as the driver – are ultimately responsible for the safe operation of your vehicle. 

The following instructions are general. You must adjust parallel-parking procedures to the particu- lar situation. Practice is the only method to learn correctly. 

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1. Select a space that is large enough for your ve- hicle on your side of the road. Check your mirrors before you stop and signal to warn other drivers. Stop next to the vehicle in front of the space and leave about two feet between the other vehicle and your vehicle. 

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2. Look behind you over both shoulders to make sure you will not interfere with pedestrians or on- coming traffic. Back the vehicle slowly and begin 

## CHAPTER 7 / PARALLEL PARKING 

to turn your steering wheel completely toward the near curb. Look through the rear window, not the mirrors, when you back up. Look to the side and front occasionally to make sure you will not touch the vehicle ahead. 

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3. When your front wheels are opposite the back bumper of the vehicle ahead, turn the steering wheel the other way while you continue to back up. Make sure you clear the vehicle ahead. Look back and stop to ensure that you do not bump the vehicle behind you. 

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4. Bring your wheels straight and pull forward. Al- low room for the vehicles ahead and behind you. In your final parking position, your wheels must be no more than one foot (30 cm) from the curb. 

To get nearer to the curb, alternately pull forward and back up, and turn the steering wheel first toward the curb and then quickly straight again. 

After parking, remember that you must not open the door on the road side if it will interfere with bicyclists and other traffic. 

## HOW TO PARK ON A HILL 

After you park on a hill, make sure to set your parking brake. Put the transmission in “Park” (or, if your vehicle has a manual transmission, put the transmission into 1st gear). Turn the wheels toward the curb or side of the road, so they will keep your vehicle from heading into traffic. 

## HOW TO PULL OUT FROM PARALLEL PARKING 

To pull away from a parallel parking space, make sure your wheels are straight, back up to the 

