how to parallel park in tight spaces
Discussion
Being proficient at parallel parking is essential for living on my street - space is at a premium and you need to be able to squeeze into whatever spot is available. So it baffles me why the young chap down the road who passed his test two years ago still insists on parallel parking nose-first, and then faffing about for ten minutes getting 0.1mm closer to the kerb with every shunt backward and forwards. It's bloody funny to watch though - his girlfriend has taken to getting out and going in the house before he even starts!
Quiet road, keep a lookout, blah, blah.
As you approach the parking space on the left, stop beside the space, indicating left, judge if the car will actually fit, and make it clear to following traffic that it's your space.
Pick a spot on the kerb, a joint between two stones, a chipped stone, a dog turd, whatever, in the centre of the space.
Drive slowly forward and 'park' beside the front car, just a bit too close to open the door.
Put your hand on top of the steering wheel, move slooowly back. Watching the left mirror quickly turn the wheel one full revolution to the left, and let the car turn until the nearside of your car lines up with the mark you picked earlier. Quickly turn the wheel one full revolution to the right, straightening the front wheels.
Keep moving slowly back until you judge that your left front bumper will just miss the front car then turn one full revolution to the right. Keep watching the left mirror until you line up with the kerb, then one full revolution left to straighten the wheels, pull forward to centre up if necessary.
Works every time, if you touch the car behind the gap wasn't big enough in the first place.
As you approach the parking space on the left, stop beside the space, indicating left, judge if the car will actually fit, and make it clear to following traffic that it's your space.
Pick a spot on the kerb, a joint between two stones, a chipped stone, a dog turd, whatever, in the centre of the space.
Drive slowly forward and 'park' beside the front car, just a bit too close to open the door.
Put your hand on top of the steering wheel, move slooowly back. Watching the left mirror quickly turn the wheel one full revolution to the left, and let the car turn until the nearside of your car lines up with the mark you picked earlier. Quickly turn the wheel one full revolution to the right, straightening the front wheels.
Keep moving slowly back until you judge that your left front bumper will just miss the front car then turn one full revolution to the right. Keep watching the left mirror until you line up with the kerb, then one full revolution left to straighten the wheels, pull forward to centre up if necessary.
Works every time, if you touch the car behind the gap wasn't big enough in the first place.
valiant said:
Didn't they teach you this sort of thing when learning to drive? And isn't it part of the test? Was when I learnt 25 years ago.
You were unlucky and only just caught the introduction of the parking element. April '91 according to Google.I did my test a couple of years prior. We only had to avoid mowing down the bloke running in front with the red flag to pass!
callmedave said:
get your mate to park his car and then put a cone or obstacle about 3 meters behind him. practice getting in that gap, then move the cone/obstacle forward a foot and do it again.
See that gif above of the up! parking between two up!s? The up! is 3540mm long. I guess the gap between them is about 3.7-3.8m. I would advise the OP to start with a 3.9m gap, and shorten it from there 
When you pass your tests you have to be able to parallel park in a gap that's 2.5 times the cars length (its 50/50 if you actually get it as part of the test).
how often do you find 2 parking spaces next to each other on a high street/ in a tight cul-de-sac?
I think the OPs getting at how do I go from knowing the principles of parking to how to I practically park where I need to.
how often do you find 2 parking spaces next to each other on a high street/ in a tight cul-de-sac?
I think the OPs getting at how do I go from knowing the principles of parking to how to I practically park where I need to.
The best tip I ever got came from my observer when I was preparing for the IAM Advanced test: reverse on full left lock; when the a-post is level with the back of the car in front of the space switch to full right lock. Despite the fact that, from the driver's seat, it looks like you are certain to clip the car in front you don't. Straighten up as the front of the car nears the kerb. Job done.
valiant said:
Didn't they teach you this sort of thing when learning to drive? And isn't it part of the test? Was when I learnt 25 years ago.
You'll be asking how to do a hill start next.
Yes they do, but they always choose a nice quiet area with plenty of room.You'll be asking how to do a hill start next.
I think the OP is probably finding it a little daunting too a bit of encouragement would go a long way.
valiant said:
Didn't they teach you this sort of thing when learning to drive? And isn't it part of the test? Was when I learnt 25 years ago.
You'll be asking how to do a hill start next.
They teach it to you, but it's very different doing it in a test car, with an examiner or instructor, then going out alone and trying again. Often in an unfamiliar car. Doing it once on a test doesn't make you proficient.You'll be asking how to do a hill start next.
I'm going to go against the PH driving god style here and say that, even after 11 years of accident-free motoring, a racing licence and an IAM licence, I still sometimes find parallel parking tricky. It's probably just because I don't do it much, but the modern systems that do it for you are certainly very handy for folk like me! 
valiant said:
Didn't they teach you this sort of thing when learning to drive? And isn't it part of the test? Was when I learnt 25 years ago.
You'll be asking how to do a hill start next.
They teach it within a space of 2 cars, I can parallel park easily just not in very tight spaces as you probably couldn't either. Get off your high horse buddy.You'll be asking how to do a hill start next.
caspar9198 said:
Just passed my test and have to park on the street
How do I parallel park in tight spots
I think lots of practice is the way forward (or backwards How do I parallel park in tight spots
)It's not an aspect of driving that I can imagine anyone really enjoys, especially when you're in traffic, but there's a lot of smug satisfaction to be had when you get it right.
I'd find a quiet car park (or other open space) and just practice.
Probably safer to avoid practicing between other cars to begin with, of course.
You'll get there!
OP there are literally dozens of videos on the 'tube with better explanations, and not one patronising pillock who'd rather criticise than advise
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=paral...
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=paral...
karona said:
OP there are literally dozens of videos on the 'tube with better explanations, and not one patronising pillock who'd rather criticise than advise
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=paral...
Thanks https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=paral...
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