Step-by-Step Guide for New Drivers from Today’s Driving School
Parallel parking can be one of the most intimidating maneuvers for new drivers. Tight spaces, traffic behind you, and the precision required make it feel stressful—but with the right technique and a bit of practice, anyone can master it. At Today’s Driving School, we teach students how to approach parallel parking with confidence and control, following Minnesota driving regulations and best practices.
Why Parallel Parking Matters:
Parallel parking is not just a driving test requirement; it is a practical skill that allows you to park in urban areas, crowded streets, and places with limited space. Mastering it helps you:
- Avoid parking tickets and fines
- Reduce the risk of collisions while parking
- Build confidence in tight traffic situations
- Navigate tight spaces safely and efficiently
When we practice parallel parking with students, we use cones instead of actual vehicles. This is for two reasons:
- Cones are much less stressful than having real vehicles to deal with. This makes it easier for new drivers to learn the mechanics of parallel parking.
- We really don’t like filling out accident reports.
Step-by-Step Guide to Parallel Parking
Step 1: Find the Right Spot: Look for a space that is at least one and a half times the length of your car. Ensure there is enough room to maneuver without hitting the car in front or behind. Check mirrors and blind spots for oncoming traffic before signaling.
Step 2: Signal and Position: Signal to indicate your intention to park. Pull up parallel to the car in front of your space, leaving about 1–3 feet between your car and theirs. Align your rear bumper with the rear bumper of the parked car.
Step 3: Check Surroundings: Before you start reversing, check your mirrors, blind spots, and traffic around you. Make sure pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles are not in your path.
Step 4: Put Car in Reverse/Hard right the wheel: Put your car in reverse, but before letting go of the brake, turn your steering wheel all the way to the right, then after letting go of the brake watch for the back two cones (or reference points) to appear centered in your left sideview mirror. This ensures you start angling into the space properly.
Note: Use slow, controlled movements to help maintain precision.
Step 5: Straighten Your Wheels Out: Once you see the back two cones aligned in the center of your left sideview mirror, you will then straighten your wheels out and start reversing until the front cone aligns with the dip of your passenger-side windshield.
Step 6: Hard Left/Adjust: After you have gotten the front cone aligned with the dip of your passenger-side windshield, you will turn the steering wheel fully to the left to bring the car parallel with the curb. Once you are parallel with the curb, make adjustments forward or backward as needed to center your vehicle in the space. Your wheels, at this point, should be about 6–12 inches from the curb.
Note: 12 inches is the maximum amount of space you are allowed to be away from the curb.
Step 7: Secure Your Vehicle: Shift into park, engage your parking brake, and turn off the engine if you are stopping. Double-check your positioning relative to the curb and surrounding cars.
Tips for Success
- Practice with Cones: Set up cones in an empty parking lot to simulate parked cars. This reduces stress and allows you to focus on steering and distance.
- For Parallel Parking; place the front cone 7ft from the curb. For the two back cones; place the first one 12in from the curb and the second one 7ft from the curb.
- For 90 Degree Backing Maneuver; Place the two front cones 12 inches to the outside of the line marking the left and right boundary of the parking space. Then place the third cone on the left side of the parking space, about halfway back.
- Feel free to reference our website for cone measurements: https://www.todaysdrivingschool.com/rules_resources.phtml (bottom of the page)
- Practice Reference Points: Notice how your mirrors, bumpers, and curb relate to each other. This helps you judge when to start turning and straightening.
- Take Your Time: There is no need to rush. Slow, controlled movements increase accuracy.
- Keep Hands Properly on the Wheel: Use the hand-over-hand steering method to maintain control.
- Check Your Surroundings Frequently: Always stay aware of traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists while maneuvering.
Exactly, What is Awareness of Your Surroundings?
- How: Mirror, Over shoulders, Rearview cameras.
- Using just one method is not good enough due to limitations of each method. Doing all three of these methods provides the maximum safety.
- Over the shoulder means looking out the back and side windows
- Why:
- Helps avoid collisions with other road users, vehicles, bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcycles.
- Blind Spots: Why They’re Dangerous
Blind spots are the areas around your vehicle that you can’t see using your mirrors. They’re dangerous because:
- You may not see other vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians.
- They increase the risk of accidents when changing lanes or merging.
- They give drivers a false sense of security if not checked properly.
Always be aware of your blind spots and take a moment to check them before making a move on the road.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Parking too far from the curb: Can make your car a hazard for passing traffic.
- Hitting the curb: Can damage your tires or rims.
- Turning too early or too late: Misalignment with the parking space.
- Not checking traffic: Increases risk of collisions or near misses.
Parallel Parking on the Road Test
In Minnesota, parallel parking is evaluated on precision, safety, and proper signaling. Examiners look for:
- Correct positioning relative to the curb
- Use of turn signals
- Smooth and controlled maneuvering
- Awareness of surrounding traffic and pedestrians
- Ability to park without hitting other “vehicles” (cones for reference)
Practicing these steps repeatedly will increase your confidence and improve your chances of passing the parallel parking portion of the road test.
Final Thoughts
Parallel parking is a skill that improves with patience and practice. By understanding the steps, using reference points, and staying calm under pressure, you can park like a pro and impress your fellow drivers.
At Today’s Driving School, we provide hands-on instruction to help new drivers master maneuvers like parallel parking in a safe, supportive environment.
Contact us at (844) 374-8315, or visit us online at todaysdrivingschool.com to schedule your lesson and gain confidence behind the wheel.
Jacob Ahner
Driving Instructor with Today’s Driving School
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