Choose your space carefully
Before committing, decide whether the gap is realistically long enough for your car and whether parking is legal. Look for driveways, hydrants, bus stops, crossing restrictions or other local rules. Check traffic behind and alongside you before positioning near the vehicle ahead of the space. Give other road users clear signals of your intentions where required.
Think of the manoeuvre in phases
A typical parallel park involves positioning beside the front vehicle, reversing slowly while turning into the space, then counter-steering to bring the front of your car in and straighten it. Exact steering points vary by wheelbase, turning circle and the distance from the parked vehicle. Your instructor should teach a sequence tailored to the car rather than a universal 'one turn here' rule.
Keep looking, not just steering
As you reverse, check the rear, side mirrors and front corners. Watch for pedestrians stepping between parked cars, cyclists approaching from behind and vehicles trying to pass. Slow movement gives you time to stop. Do not drive onto a pavement or over a kerb to compensate for poor positioning. If the manoeuvre is becoming unsafe, stop and reassess.
Correct without embarrassment
Most drivers sometimes need a second adjustment. If the space allows, move forward slightly and reverse again with fresh observations. The aim is to finish safely and reasonably close to the kerb without striking vehicles or obstructing traffic. The manoeuvre's permitted corrections on a driving test depend on the local marking rules.
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