# Realistic Parallel Parking Guide

A realistic street\-block model that shows, move by move, how a car reverses into a parallel parking space

By Numa

Topic: Sport

[Open the interactive Jig](https://ask.jig.com/j/HenBe8lkw1Mm)

## Guide

### 1. Parking between two cars

Parallel parking means tucking a car into a space beside the kerb, in line with the parked cars\. You do it backwards, in three smooth moves\. Watch this car, and by the end you will know each one\.

Drag anywhere to turn the street and look around\.

### 2. Find a space big enough

Look for a gap about one and a half times as long as your car\. This car is 4\.6 metres long, and the blue space is 7 metres\. A tighter gap is possible, but it makes every move harder\.

A marked street space is often about 6\.7 metres \(22 feet\) long\.

### 3. Signal and line up

Switch on the indicator so other drivers know what you plan\. Stop beside the car in front, about a metre away, with your back bumper level with its back bumper\. Check your mirrors before you move\.

Most guides suggest a side gap of 2 to 3 feet, about 60 to 90 centimetres\.

### 4. Reverse and turn toward the kerb

Creep back about half a metre, then turn the steering wheel all the way toward the kerb and keep reversing slowly\. Only the front wheels steer, so the back of the car swings into the space\. Stop when the car points in at about 45 degrees\.

The blue line is the path of the back axle\. The car pivots around it\.

### 5. Straighten and keep backing

Now straighten the wheels and back up a little further in a straight line\. Your front corner slides past the car in front\. Keep going until your back wheel is close to the kerb\.

### 6. Turn the other way

Turn the steering wheel all the way away from the kerb and keep reversing\. The front of the car swings in behind the car ahead, and the whole car comes level with the kerb\. Watch the front corner as it swings out wide\.

Two turns in opposite directions draw an S on the road\.

### 7. Centre and finish

Straighten the wheels and roll forward a little, so there is room in front and behind\. A good park leaves the wheels about 15 to 45 centimetres from the kerb\. Switch off the indicator and you are done\.

Driving tests in California and New York ask for about 12 inches \(30 cm\) from the kerb\.

### 8. Try the whole move

Slide to drive the car backwards into the space yourself\. Watch the front wheels turn one way, then the other, as the back axle draws its S\-shaped path\. Slow and steady wins: walking pace is plenty\.