How to Parallel Park: A Step-by-Step Guide

Parallel parking is one of the most intimidating skills for new drivers. But with practice and the right technique, it becomes second nature. Whether you’re preparing for your Virginia road skills test or just want to feel more confident parking on busy streets, this guide breaks down exactly how to parallel park, what mistakes to avoid, and how the maneuver is scored on the DMV exam.

At Abba Driving School, our instructors teach parallel parking every day. We have seen what works, what trips students up, and the fastest way to build confidence behind the wheel. Here’s how it works.

Why Parallel Parking Matters

Parallel parking isn’t just a test requirement. It’s a real-world skill you’ll use throughout your driving life. In busy areas like Northern Virginia, street parking is often the only option. Learning how to parallel park correctly means you can park safely without holding up traffic, avoid bumping other vehicles, and feel confident in tight spots instead of driving around the block looking for an easier space.

On the Virginia road skills test, parallel parking is one of the maneuvers the examiner may ask you to perform. Even if it’s not tested on your specific exam, mastering it builds the spatial awareness and vehicle control that help with every other part of driving.

How to Parallel Park: Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps to parallel park safely and accurately. Practice each step slowly at first, then build up to a smooth, continuous motion as you gain confidence.

1. Find a space and signal. Look for a space that is at least one and a half times the length of your vehicle. Turn on your right turn signal to let other drivers know you intend to park. Slow down and begin positioning your car.

2. Pull up alongside the front car. Drive forward until your vehicle is parallel to the car in front of the empty space. Align your rear bumper roughly with the rear bumper of that car. Keep about two to three feet of space between the two vehicles. Come to a complete stop.

3. Check your mirrors and blind spots. Before you begin reversing, check your rearview mirror, both side mirrors, and glance over your right shoulder. Make sure no pedestrians, cyclists, or vehicles are approaching. This mirror and blind spot check is critical on the road test.

4. Begin reversing and turn the wheel sharply toward the curb. Shift into reverse. As you slowly begin to back up, turn the steering wheel all the way to the right (toward the curb). Move slowly and keep checking your mirrors. Your car will begin to angle into the parking space at roughly 45 degrees.

5. Straighten the wheel. When the front of your car has cleared the rear bumper of the car ahead, and your vehicle is at about a 45-degree angle into the space, stop turning and straighten the wheel. Continue reversing slowly with the wheel straight. Watch your passenger-side mirror to gauge your distance from the curb.

6. Turn the wheel away from the curb to swing in. Once your front bumper is roughly even with the rear bumper of the car in front of you, turn the steering wheel all the way to the left (away from the curb) while continuing to reverse slowly. This swings the front of your car into the space and brings your vehicle parallel with the curb.

7. Center your car in the space. Once your car is parallel to the curb and fully within the space, straighten the wheel. Shift into drive and pull forward slowly to center yourself between the car in front and the car behind. Leave roughly equal space in front of and behind your vehicle.

8. Check your final position. Your car should be parallel to the curb and no more than 12 to 18 inches away from it. If you’re too far from the curb or at an angle, pull out and try again. It’s always better to reset than to leave your car poorly parked.

Common Parallel Parking Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Even with good instruction, most new drivers make a few of the same mistakes when learning to parallel park. Watch for these issues and correct them early.

Turning the wheel too early

If you start turning before your bumpers are aligned with the front car, you’ll angle into the space too steeply and risk hitting the curb with your rear tire. Fix this by making sure you’re fully alongside the front car before you begin reversing and turning.

Not turning the wheel enough

Timid steering is one of the most common issues. If you don’t turn the wheel all the way, your car won’t angle sharply enough to fit into the space. Commit to a full turn of the wheel in each direction when the steps call for it.

Going too fast

Speed is your enemy when parallel parking. Moving too quickly makes it hard to judge distances and correct your angle. Keep your foot hovering over the brake and move at a slow, controlled crawl throughout the entire maneuver.

Forgetting to check mirrors and blind spots

On the road test, failing to check your surroundings before and during the maneuver can result in lost points or even an automatic failure. Build the habit of checking mirrors and glancing over your shoulder every time you shift into reverse. For more on common driving test mistakes, see our dedicated guide.

Ending up too far from the curb

If your car finishes more than 18 inches from the curb, you’re taking up part of the travel lane. This usually means you didn’t angle sharply enough in step four or didn’t complete the correction in step six. Pull out and try again with a more decisive turn of the wheel.

Hitting the curb

If your rear tire bumps the curb, you turned too sharply or started the maneuver too close to the front car. Next time, give yourself a bit more space when pulling alongside, and use your passenger-side mirror to watch the curb as you reverse.

How Parallel Parking Is Scored on the Virginia Driving Test

On the Virginia road skills test, the examiner evaluates parking maneuvers as part of the overall driving assessment. The examiner looks for the following during parallel parking.

• Traffic checks: You must check mirrors and blind spots before and during the maneuver. The examiner watches for head movement that shows you’re actually looking, not just glancing.
• Speed control: You should maintain a slow, safe speed throughout. Rushing through the maneuver or stopping abruptly are both marks against you.
• Signal use: You must signal your intention to park before you begin the maneuver. Forgetting the turn signal is one of the easiest points to lose.
• Final position: Your car should be parked within the designated lines or space, parallel to the curb, and no more than 18 inches away. Being at an angle or too far from the curb costs points.
• Number of attempts: The examiner expects you to complete the maneuver smoothly. Excessive corrections, pulling in and out repeatedly, or taking too long can result in lost points.
• Curb contact: Bumping or riding up on the curb during the maneuver is a significant deduction.

Parallel parking is just one part of the overall test. For a complete breakdown of what the examiner evaluates, check out our guide on how to pass the Virginia road test.

When Is Parallel Parking Required on the Test?

In Virginia, the road skills test includes a parking maneuver, but the examiner chooses which type. You may be asked to parallel park, or you may be asked to perform a different parking maneuver such as perpendicular (pulling straight into a space) or angle parking. Because you won’t know which type the examiner will choose, you need to be comfortable with all three.

That said, parallel parking is the maneuver most students worry about and the one that requires the most practice. If you can parallel park confidently, the other parking types will feel easy by comparison.

For a full guide on what to expect on test day, see our road test guide.

Practice Tips: How to Get Better at Parallel Parking

The best way to get comfortable with parallel parking is repetition in a low-pressure environment. Here are proven practice strategies our instructors recommend.

Start in an empty parking lot

Find an empty lot and use traffic cones, boxes, or even empty trash cans to simulate two parked cars. Set them about 25 feet apart to create a generous space, then gradually reduce the gap as your skills improve. This lets you practice without the pressure of real traffic or the fear of hitting someone else’s car.

Use cones at home

If you have a quiet street or a driveway with enough room, set up cones and practice after dinner when traffic is light. Even 15 minutes of focused practice a few times a week will make a noticeable difference within a couple of sessions.

Practice with larger spaces first

Don’t start by trying to squeeze into a space that’s barely longer than your car. Begin with spaces that are two car lengths long. Once you can park smoothly every time, move to spaces that are one and a half car lengths, then try tighter spots. Building skill gradually is more effective than struggling with tight spaces from the start.

Use your mirrors intentionally

Many students try to parallel park by turning around and looking out the rear window. While a shoulder check is important, your side mirrors are your best tools for judging distance from the curb and the car behind you. Adjust your passenger-side mirror slightly downward before you begin so you can see the curb line clearly.

Talk yourself through the steps

When you’re learning, say each step out loud as you do it. “Signal on. Pull alongside. Bumpers aligned. Check mirrors. Reverse, full right turn.” Narrating the process helps lock the sequence into your memory and prevents you from skipping steps when you feel nervous.

Tips from Our Driving Instructors

Our instructors at Abba Driving School have taught thousands of students to parallel park. Here are the tips they share most often.

• Use reference points on your car. Every vehicle is different, so find reference points that work for yours. For example, when the front car’s rear bumper lines up with the middle of your rear passenger window, that may be your cue to start straightening. Your instructor can help you find the right reference points for the car you’ll use on test day.
• Stay calm and go slow. There’s no time limit on parallel parking during the test. Take your time, breathe, and focus on each step. Rushing leads to mistakes.
• Don’t be afraid to reset. If you realize halfway through that your angle is wrong, it’s perfectly acceptable to pull forward and start over. The examiner would rather see a clean second attempt than a sloppy finish.
• Practice in the car you’ll test in. Switching vehicles right before the test means your reference points and feel for the car’s size will be off. Practice in the same car you plan to bring to the exam.
• The wheel turns the opposite way in reverse. This trips up many new drivers. When reversing, turning the wheel to the right moves the back of the car to the right. Take a moment to visualize which direction the back of the car will go before you turn.

If you want hands-on guidance from a patient, experienced instructor, our behind-the-wheel lessons include dedicated time to practice parallel parking and every other maneuver on the Virginia road test. For tips on managing test-day anxiety, see our guide on what to expect at your first driving lesson.

Ready to Practice with an Instructor?

Reading about parallel parking is a good start, but nothing replaces seat time with a qualified instructor sitting beside you. At Abba Driving School, our DMV-certified instructors cover each step at your pace, help you find the reference points that work for your vehicle, and give you honest feedback so you know exactly where you stand before test day.

Most of our students tell us that parallel parking went from their most dreaded skill to one they actually feel confident about after just a couple of sessions. The technique is straightforward once someone shows you how to apply it to your specific car and your specific comfort level.