If there is a space you would like to get into that
requires the parallel parking manoeuvre, you will need to:
-Pick the space you want to go into, then drive alongside
the car in front of the space. You need to leave half a metre (50cm) gap
between the side of your car and the other car.
-Slowly drive forward in first gear until your knees are
level with the front of the other vehicle.
-Then pick reverse gear and slowly drive backwards, keep
your steering wheel straight until in your left wing mirror the vehicle
disappears from view.
-At this point still driving the car slowly backwards,
turn your steering wheel slowly and gradually full lock to the left. (Be aware
at this point your car bonnet will swing out into the other side of the road so
be careful as this is potentially dangerous if full observations are not constantly
used).
-Then once the same reference point you use in bay
parking comes into line with the back right side of the other vehicle, begin to
slowly and gradually turn your steering wheel full lock to the right (this
brings the car bonnet back into the correct side of the road)- still reversing.
-Once the car looks like it is straight turn the steering
wheel back to the straight position (usually one and a half turns- to the right
on this occasion)- quickly this time.
-Then back into neutral and handbrake on. (If you feel
like you need to go forward a bit to make up the gap feel free to do this, as
long as it’s sensible to do so).
Remember:
There may be a possibility that your car will stray
either too close or too far away from the curb when carrying out this
manoeuvre, all you need to do is correct the positioning of the car either left
(to go closer to curb or right to come away from the curb)- the same curb correction
used in left reverse.
Watch these videos for a different perspective:
