Parallel Parking Guide

Step One:
Improve your concentration by limiting distractions. This means turning your cell phone off, turning the radio down, and kicking your heckling friends out of the backseat.

Step Two:
A parallel parking space has to be longer than your car. In time, you'll get better at eyeballing this; but for now, pull your car up next to any available spaces to see if they're large enough. The more space you have on both sides, the better!

Step Three:
Once you've found a roomy space, carefully drive your car up alongside the car in front, aligning your rear tire with its rear tire. Ideally, you want the right side of your car to be close to the other car, but not so close that you're scratching paint. (Watch out for your rear-view mirror in particular.)

Step Four:
Put your turn signal on, double-check that there are no cars behind you, and turn your wheel all the way towards the curb. Slowly begin backing up until your rear passenger door is in line with the rear bumper of car you were just next to.

Step Five:
Now it's time to start turning your wheel the other way. Slowly back your car in behind the other car.

Step Six:
Depending on the size of your car and the parallel parking space, you may need to rock back + forth a little bit in order to straighten your wheels + align yourself in the space. Center yourself in the space to leave enough room for you (and the car behind you) to exit easily when it's time to leave.

Step Seven:
Congratulations -- you're now a parallel parker! Take a deep breath and prepare to brag about your accomplishment to all your friends.