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Parking

Parking on Hills

Have your teen practice parking on hills with little or no traffic. If they are unable to practice parking on hills in your area, have your teen practice on a flat road and discuss the procedures for parking on hills.

When parking, have your teen:

  • On a sloping driveway, turn the wheels so the vehicle will not roll into the lane if the brakes fail.
  • Headed downhill, turn the front wheels into the curb or toward the side of the Set the parking brake.
  • Headed uphill, turn the front wheels away from the curb and let the vehicle roll back a few The wheel should gently touch the curb. Set the parking break.
  • Headed either uphill or downhill when there is no curb, turn the wheels so the vehicle will roll away from the center of the road if the brakes fail.

Note: Always have your teen set the parking brake and leave the vehicle in gear or in the “park” position.

Parallel Parking (Street with Two-Way Traffic)

Parallel parking is a driving technique which allows your teen to park parallel to the road in line with other parked vehicles. The steps below explain how to parallel park safely.

Step 1: Find a space and pull the vehicle alongside the space or vehicle in front of where they intend to Look for a space at least 3 feet longer than the vehicle. When they find a space, signal that they intend to park. Leave approximately 2 feet between the vehicle or space next to the vehicle and stop once the bumper is aligned with the space. Check the rear view mirror and look over shoulder for approaching vehicles. Keep the foot on the brake and put the vehicle in reverse. Maintain the signal.

Step 2: Lift the foot off the brake. Before backing up, check mirrors and look over shoulder for any hazards. Begin to back up, at approximately a 45 degree angle.

 

Step 3: Straighten Begin turning the steering wheel away from the curb when the rear wheel is within 18 inches from the curb.

Step 4: Pull forward if Your teen may need to pull forward and backward to straighten out. The vehicle should now be parallel and no further than 18 inches from the curb.

Step 5: Check for hazards. Shift the vehicle into park, turn off the engine. Check the mirrors and look over shoulder for any hazards before opening the vehicle door.