Rules of the road
Lesson 8 · Parking

How do you parallel park?

Short answer

Pull up beside the car ahead of the space, back in at an angle, then straighten out. End up close to the curb, usually within 12 to 18 inches depending on your state.

Watch it play out

How to do it

  1. Signal and stop beside the car in front of the space, about 2 feet away, rear bumpers lined up.
  2. Check behind you, then back up slowly, turning the wheel right.
  3. When your car is at about a 45 degree angle, straighten the wheel and keep backing.
  4. Turn the wheel left to swing the front in, then center the car in the space.

Why the rule works this way

Parking close to the curb keeps your car out of the traffic lane and leaves room for others to pass safely.

Common mistakes

  • Not checking behind before backing.
  • Ending up far from the curb or touching the cars around you.
State differencesSome states, like California and Texas, allow up to 18 inches from the curb. Others, like New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, allow only 12 inches.
In VirginiaPark no more than 1 foot (12 inches) from the curb. See all Virginia rules

Questions people ask

Is parallel parking on the road test?

In many states, yes. Practice with cones or empty spaces first.