Parking

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The best way to learn about parking is to practice. Try these tips for different ways to park.

Angle Parking

• Turn on your turn signal and slow or stop your car at least 6-8 feet from the parking space.
• Check your blind spot on the side of the parking space for traffic and people.
• Begin your turn when you can see the center of the parking space without your line of sight (or view) cutting across the parking line.
• Creep (move very slowly) and turn the wheel sharply toward the center of the space. Once you enter the space, straighten the wheels and center your car in the space.
• Stop even with the curb or parking line.

Perpendicular Parking

• Turn on your turn signal and get 6-8 feet from the parked cars – or as far to the left of your lane as possible.
• Check your mirror for traffic behind you. Creep and turn the wheel sharp to the right of the space.
• Check your right rear fender for clearance and straighten the wheel when you are centered in the space.
• If necessary, shift to "REVERSE" and creep back slightly, turning the wheel to the left. Be careful to avoid hitting a curb.

Parallel Parking

• Check the rearview mirror and turn on your turn signal. Stop 2-3 feet beside the front vehicle and line up rear bumpers.
• Shift to "REVERSE." Look over your shoulder and ease off the brake. Move at a walking pace. Do not accelerate using the gas pedal.
• Look back while creeping back and turn wheel fully toward the curb. When the vehicle is 45 degrees to the curb, and your front wheels align with the back wheels of the other car, straighten the tires and slowly back up in a straight line.
• Check the front of your car to make sure it clears. When your left rear bumper is even with the rear vehicle left front bumper, turn wheels sharply left and continue to inch back.
• When parallel to the curb, straighten wheels and center your vehicle in the space.
• When exiting, reverse and inch back until you can see the front car’s rear tires.
• Check your blind spot for people and traffic. Signal and yield to other traffic.
• Search your intended path of travel, turn off your signal and and check your rearview mirror.

Parking On Hills

• Choose a legal space and signal. Check your rearview mirror and blind spots.
• Apply the brake and approach parallel to and 12 inches from the curb. Make a smooth stop and shift into "NEUTRAL."
• Turn the wheels in the proper direction. If facing uphill with curb, turn wheels left, toward the roadway. If facing downhill with curb, turn wheel right, toward the curb.
• Secure your car by shifting to "PARK" and setting your parking brake.

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