How to Reverse Parallel Park

March 21, 2023 at 8:05 AM

When approaching a suitable place to do a reverse parallel park, the first thing we should do is check our rear vision mirror, so we are aware of what’s behind us. We will do this well before we come to our stop. We also indicate to the left well before we come to our stop. We keep approximately half a metre distance from the other vehicle. Once stopped, we select reverse, we keep the indicator on the left and we slowly move backwards while checking all around us. Once the rear end of our vehicle is just past the rear end of the other vehicle, we turn the wheel fully anticlockwise and keep moving backwards, checking all around us. Once we reach 45 degrees or between 1 o’clock and 2 o’clock, we straighten the wheel up and keep moving backwards, checking all around us. Using the left side mirror, we judge the distance between the curb and the left rear wheel. Once we reach approximately half a metre distance from the curb, we turn the wheel fully clockwise. We keep moving until the car is fully straight, parallel with the curb. We stop and select drive. We straighten the wheel, and slowly move forward to close the gap in front of us. Once close enough, we stop and put the car in park and the put the handbrake on.