Q&A for How to Parallel Park

Your space should be about one and a half times the size of your car. It's always better to go with a bigger space rather than a smaller one.

Your tires should be within a foot of the curb so your car isn't sticking out into the traffic lane.

As long as you don't crash into the other cars, you will still pass the exam normally even though this will make you lose some points.

First, take a look at the situation and see if it's possible to get out of the space with the other car where it is. If so, pull out of your space by going slightly backward then forward several times to angle the front of the car toward the gap through which you'll be driving out. If not, see if you can find the person who parked the car - if you're at the grocery store, for example, have a store employee page the person over the loudspeaker. Whatever happens, remain calm!

If you're feeling yourself get angry, just take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that getting to your destination safely is more important than being "right" on the road. If someone else is getting angry with you, then just ignore them and focus on your driving. If they start acting aggressively or follow you, then call the police.

Yes you can. You can also use the rearview mirror for that. Don't forget to check the other shoulder too, as a vehicle might be coming out of a driveway you are in the opposite side of.

No, It will be the same way just replace car with the cones or barriers. You can just align yourself with the boarder. Imagine that the cones represent the front and rear bumpers of the two cars you are trying to park between and align yourself accordingly.

Both are equally effective but a hand brake is the safest bet. However, in winter, when it's freezing, it's better to put it in first gear to avoid your brakes getting frozen or damaged when you 'unbrake' them upon return.

Find a different spot, or honk as a warning. There is no need to get mad over another person's mistakes.

For a beginner, around 3 feet (36 inches) would be best. Later on, you can try to fit in tighter places.

Use your side mirrors and center mirror while maneuvering your parking and slowly estimate your clearance space from other cars. It takes practice.

From the start of your parking when you are going backward until you've fully parked your car.

If you push the brake pedal too much when slowing down, when you go to take your foot off the brake pedal the car won't move at all. A way to get around this is to wait a couple seconds to see if it starts moving, or very very slightly press on the gas pedal to gain minimal speed.

A distance of at least one full length of a car. Consider the 2-second rule for checking your distance.

For one thing, you should have a hand brake available in your car. Also, when parked on an incline that could cause you to roll forward, angle your tires toward the curb. If the incline makes it possible for your car to roll backwards, angle your front tires away from the curb. This way, if you do roll down the hill, the angle of your tires will have them go into the curb as opposed to the road or the car in front. Usually, this is enough to stop any momentum.

Drive along the parking strip you want to park in. Press the button that activates the assistant (make sure it is in parallel park mode, you can check how to do that in your owner's manual). Now all you have to do is operate the gas/brake (and clutch, if you're in a manual car). Be aware of your surroundings, because if your car is in auto park mode and it rams something, it's going to be your fault.

Yes, so if the parking spot is to your right, signal right, and if the spot is to the left, signal left.

It's different for each state and can also vary depending on where you go to take the test. For example, my friend failed hers the first time for being too far off the curb. Another was able to pass her test when she couldn't parallel park or reverse park. Check with others who have taken the test where you have.

No, you only need to turn on your hazard lights (double signals) when you are in a position that makes you a possible hazard to other drivers. For example, if you run out of gas or you have a tire blow out, turn your hazard lights on and carefully pull over to the side of the road. When you are parallel parking, you only need to put your blinker on in the direction that you are turning the steering wheel. So if you are backing into the space and you are turning the wheel to the right, you should have your right blinker on.

You only need to move an inch to know if your wheels are straight. Forward or backward. If the spot is too tight to park in, then always find another spot. You should leave enough room in front of your car so you can just drive out.

Yes, using a turn signal is required for parallel parking. It lets the drivers behind you know that not only will you be stopping, but you'll be reversing, too.