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Driving Lesson: Road Parking Tips

May 20, 2012

Parking is as much an important part of driving as driving itself.  Learning how to park in different circumstances is an important part of the road test.  The road test examiner may ask you to park in a parking lot space, to parallel park, or both. You need to know the proper procedures:

Signaling – Remember that you should signal your intentions at all times; even in a parking lot. Turn on your turn signal before you begin your turn into a parking space to let other drivers know what direction you are turning in. You should also signal as you exit the space to let other drivers know what direction you will be going in as you exit the space.

Parking lot– The examiner may point to a specific parking spot in the parking lot for you to park in. The spot may be lined on either side with orange cones to represent cars in the adjoining spaces. If you were to hit one of the cones, it will mean an automatic failure. Practice parking in a space by looking toward the center of the space before you begin your turn and keeping your eyes on the center of the space as you pull into the parking spot. Don’t look at the hazards on either side; look at where you want to put your car. Keep practicing until it is second nature.

Parallel parking – The examiner will point out a spot and ask you to demonstrate your ability to parallel park and, just like in the parking lot, there may be cones in front and back representing the bumpers of other cars; you don’t want to hit them. Parallel parking is really easy but it takes a lot of practice. Pull up even and about two to three feet away from the vehicle in front.  Turn your wheel all the way to the right and slowly start to back up. As you come even with the rear bumper of the car next to you, start turning your wheel to the left. Once you enter the space, adjust your car so that it is parked an even distance between the car ahead and the one in the rear. You should be no more than eighteen inches from the curb.

Parking on a hill – The examiner may ask you to demonstrate or explain the procedures for parking on a hill with or without a curb.

  • Downhill with or without a curb – Parking facing downhill is easy. Whether there is a curb or not, you should always turn the front wheels to the right so that, if your brakes should fail, the car will roll off of the roadway.
  • Parking uphill without a curb – Parking facing uphill without a curb means you should turn your wheels to the right. Just like parking downhill, if your brakes should fail, the car will roll off of the roadway.
  • Parking uphill with a curb – This is where it gets a little different. When parking facing uphill with a curb, you want to turn your front wheels to the left, toward the center of the road. Once you have turned your wheels, you will want to back up just a bit until you feel the wheels bump up against the curb. In this case, if your brakes should fail, the car’s front wheels should jam up against the curb and prevent the car from moving any further.

Parking properly is easy but it does take practice. Make sure you practice each maneuver until it becomes second nature to you before you take your road test.

Need extra practice?   Take our behind the wheel road test course.   It’s 100% online and shows you exactly what the examiner will be looking for.

carbon monoxide poisoning

Parking Lot Safety

February 7, 2012

Finding a convenient and safe parking spot is as much a part of operating a vehicle as driving itself. Depending on the kind of parking situation, it can be as safe as being the only vehicle in that spot, or it might even prove to be more dangerous than the road itself.

Not all parking lots are created equal, even the parking spots don’t come in one flavor, hence the need for some parking lot safety tips.

Some parking spots may be a spot on the side of the road, or somewhere above a multi-tiered structure. Some spots may be straight-in, diagonal and some may not even have guiding arrows to help you. Paying attention plays a huge part in making sure you pick a perfect place to park.

Here are some of the necessary precautions when finding the perfect parking spot:

  • Are the doors locked? Are the windows rolled up? Even if you’re leaving for a couple of minutes, you should always do this.
  • As much as possible, don’t leave valuables in the car. Make it a habit: if you have the detachable type of GPS or radio, always bring it with you. GPS devices may make life easier, but if stolen, it gives thieves a treasure map to your house.
  • Check your phone/plug in your earphones/do errands when you’re inside where you need to be. Your full attention is required in getting out of your car to getting to the destination.
  • Is there parking security? If there’s an available spot within the view of security, park there. Not all parking lots are secure.
  • Be wary of strangers loitering about the parking lot. The car may be parked, but they may be after you. Notify security if there’s anything out of the ordinary.

When your errands are complete, there are other precautions to be taken:

  • Have your keys ready. Fumbling about and digging inside your purse or pocket for the keys in front of your car leaves you vulnerable.
  • Always remember where you parked your vehicle.
  • Scan the area around your vehicle. Be aware if someone may be following you.
  • Check in and around your vehicle. Someone may be hiding behind your car, in front or in the back seat.
  • Once safely in your vehicle, lock up and leave.

When backing out of a space, be aware of people or vehicles moving in front or behind your vehicle. Be aware that visibility may be limited when there are bigger vehicles parked next to you. Never put yourself at risk. A parking lot is just a place where you park, not to hang out in.

Additional Tips for Vehicle Theft Prevention from Department of Transportation’s (DOT) National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).