4 Quick Tips in Parking Your Car
Learning to park can sometimes be more challenging than learning to drive. It’s an important part of your drivers education. It is all about observing the reference points so you can determine what space you have to turn and maneuver without hitting any obstacles and to arrive centered in the parking space.
Sounds easy enough right? Parking lots are known for having quite a few collisions due to the fact that there are so many people and drivers in a small space. Experience makes perfect in this area. Here are some tips to help you become a master car-parker.
1) Move your vehicle slow, but turn quick
When you move slow while parking, it allows you to have greater control. Turning quickly helps to position your vehicle right where you need it to be.
2) Continually look in all directions when backing in or out
While it’s common to look to your left and right, you must remember to look directly behind you when back up as well. An opposed vehicle could be backing out right across from you or a pedestrian could be strolling by.
3) Do NOT assume all cars will go slow or that you can see them all
Even in an empty lot, you cannot assume that a car, pedestrian, or cyclist won’t be there.
4) Park away from other cars
You don’t need to park way out in Timbuktu, but it’s easier and safer to park where other cars are not packed all around you.
Remember that carelessly backing up is the greatest cause of parking lot collisions. Be alert, drive slowly, and check all around you when backing up and parking.
Here is a funny video showing how not to park a car. Enjoy
Frequently asked questions
Why are parking lots such a common place for collisions?
Parking lots concentrate a lot of vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists into a small space, and most drivers are moving in multiple directions at once. The leading cause of parking-lot collisions is careless backing up. Drivers often assume other cars will move slowly or that an empty-looking lot is safe, then back into someone they didn't check for. The fix is simple: move slowly, scan all directions including directly behind you before reversing, and never assume another driver, walker, or cyclist sees you.
What's the right speed and steering technique for parking?
The rule we teach at Top Driver is move slow, but turn quick. Driving slowly through the maneuver gives you time to react and keeps the car under tight control. Turning the wheel quickly once you've started the maneuver positions the vehicle precisely where you want it without overshooting or scrubbing the tires. If you turn slowly while crawling, you'll usually end up out of the space or crooked. Slow vehicle speed, fast hands on the wheel.
Where should I look when backing out of a parking space?
Don't rely on the rearview camera or mirrors alone. Check left, check right, and then turn your head and look directly out the back window before you move. Vehicles in the spot across from you may be reversing at the same moment, and pedestrians or shopping carts can appear in your blind zone in seconds. Keep scanning the entire time you're rolling backward, not just before you start. The biggest cause of parking-lot crashes is a driver who backed up without looking behind them.
Is it actually safer to park farther away from other cars?
Yes, and you don't need to walk in from the back of the lot to get the benefit. Pick a spot with empty spaces on at least one side. Fewer cars around you means a wider sight line when you back out, less chance of door dings, and fewer pedestrians weaving between bumpers. New drivers especially benefit because there are fewer reference points and obstacles to manage at once. A 30-second walk is cheaper than a fender bender.
How do reference points help with parking?
Reference points are fixed spots on your vehicle (like the side mirror, the corner of the hood, or a point on the dashboard) that line up with parking lot markings at the moment you should start turning, straightening, or stopping. Once you learn the reference points for your specific car, parallel parking, angle parking, and backing into a space stop being guesswork. You'll know exactly how much space you have to maneuver and where you'll end up. Experience builds these reference points; that's why behind-the-wheel practice matters.
