How Do You Parallel Park Safely, Step by Step?

Parallel parking is a useful driving skill when you need to park along a curb between other vehicles. It takes patience, observation, and careful control of steering, braking, and speed. New drivers should first practice with cones in a low-risk area before trying a busy street.

Quick answer: To parallel park, choose a legal space with sufficient room, signal, check surrounding traffic, stop alongside the vehicle in front of the space, reverse slowly while steering into the opening, then straighten and adjust your position near the curb. Keep checking mirrors, blind spots, and nearby pedestrians throughout the maneuver.

How do you parallel park in six steps?

  1. Choose a suitable parking space. Confirm parking is permitted and the opening is comfortably longer than your vehicle. Watch for driveways, signs, pedestrians, and cyclists.
  2. Signal and set up. Check your mirrors and blind spot, signal toward the curb, and stop parallel to the vehicle in front of the space with an appropriate gap. Your vehicle should be generally aligned with that vehicle.
  3. Check all around before reversing. Select reverse, look behind and to both sides, and yield to people or traffic that could enter your path. Do not rely only on a backup camera.
  4. Back slowly into the space. Steer toward the curb while reversing gently. Use the rear and side windows, mirrors, and camera as aids. Stop immediately if you lose track of a nearby hazard.
  5. Countersteer to bring the front in. Once the rear of your vehicle is inside the space and the front has clearance from the vehicle ahead, steer away from the curb as you continue slowly backward to align with the curb. Exact turning points differ among vehicles.
  6. Straighten and secure the vehicle. Correct your position with short, slow movements as needed, leaving room for adjacent vehicles. Shift into park, set the parking brake as appropriate, and check for traffic before opening the door.

How can you tell whether a space is large enough?

Choose an opening that gives you room to turn into the space without getting too close to the vehicles at either end. A space that barely fits the car may require unnecessary risk. Look for the location of the curb, intersections, fire hydrants, driveway entrances, and posted restrictions. If you cannot safely fit, continue to another legal space.

Where should you position your car before backing up?

Start next to the vehicle parked ahead of the empty space, with both vehicles approximately parallel. Maintain a safe side gap so your mirrors and bodywork will not touch. Because car dimensions and turning circles vary, use vehicle reference points learned during practice rather than treating a single distance or steering angle as universal.

Before you select reverse, check:

  • Traffic approaching from behind, including bicyclists or motorcycles.
  • Pedestrians stepping between parked cars or crossing near the space.
  • The vehicle ahead and the vehicle behind the opening.
  • Your rearward path, mirrors, blind spots, and curb position.
  • Whether a new hazard means you should pause and yield.

Should you look over your shoulder or use a backup camera?

Use both direct observation and available technology. A backup camera may help you judge distance, but it has blind zones and may not show fast-approaching traffic to the sides. Turn and look where the vehicle is moving, use mirrors to watch the curb and other vehicles, and stop to rescan frequently. Read why mirror and blind-spot checks matter.

What if you are too far from the curb or park at an angle?

Stop and assess your clearance. If needed, pull forward slightly, straighten the wheels, and reverse slowly to adjust. Avoid rubbing a tire against the curb or making abrupt steering moves. If you cannot correct safely without crowding other traffic, exit the space carefully and try again. Always follow your state's rules for parking distance from the curb.

How should beginners practice parallel parking?

Begin in an open parking lot using cones or soft markers that represent the corners of parked vehicles. Practice setting up the approach, checking all around, reversing at low speed, countersteering, and correcting position. Have a qualified supervising adult or instructor observe from a safe location. Increase difficulty gradually; never use people as parking markers.

National Driver Training introduces parallel parking in Level Three of its Behind-the-Wheel Training sequence, after students have developed the basic skills of steering, braking, observation and lane management.

What safety habits matter after you park?

Confirm that your vehicle is legally positioned, set the parking brake where appropriate, and check for passing cyclists and vehicles before opening your door. When leaving the space, signal, inspect mirrors and blind spots, and yield to traffic. For more fundamentals, see how to stop smoothly and safely.

Build Confidence With Parking Maneuvers

National Driver Training develops safe vehicle control through progressive practice, from low-risk parking lots to more complex roadway environments.

Explore NDT Driver Education Programs

Frequently asked questions about parallel parking

What is the first step when parallel parking?

Find a legal space long enough for your vehicle, check traffic and pedestrians, signal your intention, and position your vehicle alongside the vehicle ahead of the empty space.

Should you use your backup camera when parallel parking?

Yes, as an aid, but continue checking mirrors, blind spots, and your surroundings directly. Cameras cannot show every approaching vehicle, cyclist, or pedestrian.

How fast should you move when parallel parking?

Reverse very slowly, at a controllable walking pace or slower, pausing whenever you need to scan or correct your position.

What should you do if your first attempt does not work?

Stop, check all directions, pull forward safely if necessary, and reset for another attempt. Do not force the vehicle into a space that is too small.

How close should your vehicle be to the curb?

Park close enough to comply with your state or local law without striking the curb. The precise allowed distance can vary by jurisdiction.

Can you practice parallel parking in an empty parking lot?

Yes. Use cones or other soft markers to represent parked vehicles, and practice in a low-risk environment before attempting the maneuver on a public street.

Related driving knowledge guides

Official sources and further reading

Reviewed October 29, 2026. Parking procedures and legal curb-clearance limits vary by location; follow applicable traffic laws and your vehicle's operating guidance.