Practicing Perpendicular Parking as Part of Your Drivers Ed Program

There are lots of different ways to park cars.  As you learn to drive you will know that perpendicular parking is the kind of parking you’ll do most often.  Learning to park is important plus it helps you perfect your maneuvering skills and backing up skills.

When you park your car in a defined parking space it’s important to stay within the painted lines with an equal amount of space on both sides of the car.  This way you and your passenger can get in and out of the vehicle easily.  It will also help protect your car from the car doors of the vehicles parked on either side of you.  There will be times as you learn to drive that you will encounter situations where either you or someone else has parked so close you can’t open the car door wide enough to get out.  You will realize fully at that point why you must learn to position the car properly.

It’s also important to pull fully into the spot so your car doesn’t stick out further than other vehicles.  The front bumper should be close to the end line of the space.  When you’re finished, you should be perfectly within the painted lines. 

As you learn to drive practice this several times in a parking lot where there are empty spaces on all sides of the car.  After each try get out and look at how you are positioned.  Make this as part of your Drivers Ed checklist.  Look for more information in the Driving Lessons sections of the Workbook and the Video Library.  See Driving Lesson 4. 

Learn To Drive: Driving Lessons Video Library

 The video gives you some additional information on learning this skill.