Parallel parking: where to stop, when to steer, and finishing close
Where to stop, the reference points for when to steer each way, and how to finish close to the kerb. Each step matches the numbers on the picture, and there is a quiz at the end.
On the test you may be asked to parallel park at the side of the road
. It is one of three reversing exercises, and you will do one of them. What happens during the test.
Pick a space of at least about one and a half car lengths, somewhere safe and legal: not near a junction, a bend, a bus stop or a dropped kerb. Keep to a very slow walking pace (clutch control in a manual, let it creep in an automatic), and keep looking all round.
Parallel parking, step by step
Pull up alongside the car you will park behind
Parallel with it, about a metre out (roughly an open door's width), level with it or a little ahead. Slowing down early and stopping here tells traffic behind what you are doing.
Look all round, then reverse slowly
Mirrors, both blind spots, and out of the rear window. Keep to a very slow walking pace.
When its rear looks level with your back seat, steer left
That is when your back wheels are level with its back bumper. Look all round again first, including over your right shoulder for traffic, then steer left briskly as the car creeps back.
At about 45 degrees, once your front is past its rear, steer right
Your front corner needs to clear the back of the parked car. Check over your right shoulder first: steering right swings the front out towards the middle of the road before it comes in.
Parallel with the kerb: straighten the wheels
Stop close to the kerb and parallel with it. If you need to, adjust with a small move forward, as long as you can still drive off without reversing again.
The numbers match the picture. The reference points for each step are below.
The reference points
About a metre out, level with it
Parallel with the parked car, level with it or a little ahead.
Its rear level with your back seat: steer left
Your back wheels are level with its back bumper.
About 45 degrees, front past its rear: steer right
The back of the parked car is the line for both turns: your back wheels reach it to steer left, your front corner passes it to steer right.
Parallel, close to the kerb
Not touching it, with room in front to drive off.
From your seat: when to steer left
Turn round in your seat
Look out of the left rear passenger window as the car reverses slowly.
Watch for the back of the parked car
When it looks level with your back seat, stop, look all round, then steer left.
From your seat: how close to the kerb
Tilt your left door mirror down before you start, so it shows your back wheel and the kerb. As the car comes in you can see the gap close, and stop before you touch the kerb.
Put the mirror back before you drive off.
Reference points vary a little by car. How much you need to steer, and when, depends on the car, so practise in the one you will take your test in.
Turning in too early
Steered in here: too soon
Before your back wheels pass the other car's rear, turning in swings your back corner into it.
Wait until your back wheels are level with its rear
The dashed line marks the moment. Look all round, then steer.
Too close to the other car makes it worse, and too far out leaves you sticking into the road. About a metre out is the aim.
Other road users
- People crossing behind you. They can step out from either pavement. Stop and let them cross.
- Traffic coming past. When you steer in, the front of your car swings out into the road. Check over your right shoulder before you do.
- Someone waiting behind. Most drivers will hold back once they see what you are doing. Keep looking, and do not let anyone hurry you.
The examiners' guidance says The candidate should show proper care for the safety of other road users while reversing.
A mistake might not affect your test result if it's not serious
, so carry on driving safely. DVSA guidance for examiners.
Parallel parking quiz
Ready when you are
- 10 questions
- About 3 minutes
- Answers explained
- Nothing saved
Questions people ask
How do you parallel park, step by step?
Pull up alongside the car you will park behind, parallel and about a metre out. Look all round and reverse slowly. When its rear looks level with your back seat, steer left. At about 45 degrees, once your front is past its rear, steer right, checking for traffic as the front swings out. Straighten up when you are parallel with the kerb.
What are the reference points for parallel parking?
Start about a metre out, level with the parked car. Steer left when its rear looks level with your back seat (your back wheels are level with its back bumper). Steer right at about 45 degrees, once your front corner is past its rear. Tilting your left mirror down helps you see the kerb. They vary a little by car.
How big a space do I need to parallel park?
At least about one and a half car lengths. On the test, behind one car, DVSA's examiners' guidance says the exercise should be completed within two car lengths
.
Will I have to parallel park on my test?
Maybe. It is one of three reversing exercises, and the examiner will ask you to do one of them. GOV.UK lists it as parallel park at the side of the road
.
Can I pull forward to straighten up?
Yes, a small move forward to tidy up is fine if it is safe and you can still drive off without reversing again. Keep looking all round while you do it.
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