We assure you that you are not alone if the mere thought of parallel parking makes your palms sweat. When it comes to aligning and parking cars without damaging other vehicles, many drivers experience the same pressure.
Parallel parking is about parking a vehicle parallel to other parked cars on one side of the road and facing the direction of traffic on that side. In order to accomplish this, one must first pull up next to the open parking spot and drive just a little bit past it. Then, slowly reverse to fit into the space while maintaining a safe distance. Though it could seem a little difficult at first, you shouldn’t become anxious.
Whether you’re enrolling for the 5-Day intensive driving course in London or the fast track course, you need a few techniques to get command. So, to help you in this situation, we are here with seven tips that will help you win over the skill of parallel parking. Let’s get started.
Select the Right Spot
This is a primary step for successful parallel parking. Make sure to find a space that has at least 1.5 metres of gap in between the vehicle parked. This will give you enough room to park your vehicle without giving you stress. However, it is important to understand any parking restrictions and ensure the spot is safe.
Approach the Spot with Confidence
Remember to approach the parking spot with confidence. Give a signal to park, look into your mirrors, and watch for incoming traffic. As you get closer to the location, limit your speed and park your car parallel to the car in front of the open area, giving yourself about two feet of space. At first, you can get distracted and nervous by the traffic around you, but keep your focus on parking. Other traffic can go forward more quickly if you park quickly.
Use cones as practice
Practise parallel parking on a quiet roadway by setting up cones or other clearly designated objects. In order to practise the skill, initially place them farther apart. You can practise parallel parking in a tighter space by progressively reducing the distance between the cones once you feel more at ease.
Position Your Vehicle
Make sure you leave roughly two feet of space between your vehicle and the car in front of the open area. When you start to turn, make sure your mirrors are parallel to the parked car and that there is adequate space between your car and the one in front to prevent accidents.
Get Ready for the Move
Put your car in reverse and glance in your side and rearview mirrors. Look over your shoulder to make sure there are no oncoming cars or pedestrians in your blind spot. Hold onto the steering wheel firmly and be prepared to make adjustments as necessary. You can also get to know all these techniques when you enrol for the one week driving crash course in London.
Make Use of Reference Points
Points of reference may be the key while parallel parking. Choose a point of reference on the vehicle, such as the handle of the back door, that is adjacent to the open area. To determine when to begin spinning the steering wheel, use this reference point.
Maintain a Constant Approach
Many people will tell you various tips and methods for parallel parking, such as the 3-step approach and the triangle method. When trying to parallel park in real life, it can be stressful to try to follow every step; thus, find a technique that works for you and stick to it every time. Also, you can connect with a professional driving school.
What’s Now?
Remember, practice makes a man perfect. So, the more you practise using the above-mentioned tips to parallel park, the more pro you will be in your driving. But to make it more easier, enrol yourself for the 5 Day intensive driving course in London with LIDT. We are one of the renowned companies specialising in delivering semi-intensive driving courses and driving lessons.