Parking

Topic Progress:

  • Parking is not a dangerous manoeuvre due to the slow speed, but does require excellent control of the vehicle, small steering adjustments in small spaces, and accurate judgment of space Many collisions occur in parking lots. Checking the traffic constantly while manoeuvring will diminish the danger.
    All this will be more easily understood when you are doing your practical training in the vehicle

    Diagonal Parking

    Screen Shot 2014-02-18 at 8.37.31 AMASSESS
    Locate a space on the right in an area where it parking is permitted
    Check mirrors, blind spot, and position of the vehicles on both sides

    PREPARE
    Signal your intention by activating your signal light
    Move to the left to leave about a car width from the parked vehicles
    Reduce speed until the parking space can be seen
    Re-check your mirrors and blind spot

    EXECUTE
    Aim into the centre of the parking spot
    Steer sharply while rolling slowly
    Countersteer to straighten your vehicle into the centre of the space
    Parking lot courtesy – relinquish
    Confirm that you are in the lines, and reverse and adjust accordingly to correct
    Reduce speed

  • Leaving a Diagonal Parking Space

    ASSESS
    Check the position of your tires
    Straighten the steering wheel and tires
    Check the flow of traffic behind you
    Is it safe to back into traffic at this time?

    PREPARE
    Complete your pre-driving check
    Depress the service brake pedal
    Shift to Reverse (R)
    Activate the right turn signal
    Re-check to the left, right, and behind you

    EXECUTE
    Ease-off the brake (a gentle bit of pressure may be required on the accelerator to initiate vehicle movement)
    Reverse slowly and turn the wheel slightly
    When the front of your vehicle passes the rear of the vehicle on your left, look to the right rear and turn sharply in that direction
    Before stopping, countersteer to straighten your wheels
    Stop, shift to Drive (D)
    Activate the left turn signal
    Check traffic
    Accelerate to speed and cancel the turn signal

  • Backing Into A Perpendicular Space

    ASSESS
    Locate a space on the right in an area where it parking is permitted
    Check the oncoming traffic
    Check mirrors, blind spot, and position of the vehicles on both sides
    Be aware that some of the parked cars may start moving
    Is backing into the space safe?

    PREPARE
    Activate the right turn signal
    Move to the left to leave about a car width from the parked vehicles
    Reduce speed and stop when the rear of your vehicle is in line with the vehicle after the space
    Shift to Reverse (R)
    Re-check your mirrors and blind spot

    EXECUTE
    Ease-off the brake (a gentle bit of pressure may be required on the accelerator to initiate vehicle movement)
    Aim into the centre of the parking spot
    Steer sharply while rolling slowly
    Check traffic, both in front and behind
    Countersteer to straighten your vehicle into the centre of the space
    Stop when your vehicle lines up with the other vehicles
    Confirm that you are in the lines, and reverse and adjust accordingly to correct

  • Leaving a Perpendicular Space

    ASSESS
    Check the flow of traffic ahead of you

    PREPARE
    Apply the service brake
    Shift into Drive (D)
    Activate the turn signal
    Release the parking brake
    Re-check to the left, right, and behind you

    EXECUTE
    Ease-off the brake (a gentle bit of pressure may be required on the accelerator to initiate vehicle movement)
    Advance slowly straight ahead
    Re-check to the left and right
    When your body clears the vehicle on your left, perform a left turn
    Accelerate to speed and cancel the turn signal

  • Parallel Parking

    A difficult, but essential manoeuvre for any driver in an urban environment.
    Parallel parking requires practice to perform it safely and with confidence and comfort.

    ASSESS
    Look for a space 1.5x the length of your vehicle, on the right side of the driveway
    Ensure parking is permitted
    Is the space large enough?
    Check oncoming traffic
    Check mirrors and blind spot

    PREPARE
    Activate the right turn signal
    Re-check to the left and right
    Stop beside the vehicle that is just ahead of the parking space you want
    Shift to Reverse (R)
    Re-check traffic and left mirror
    Assume the position for backing into a right turn

    EXECUTE
    Ease-off the brake (a gentle bit of pressure may be required on the accelerator to initiate vehicle movement)
    Reverse slowly and turn the wheel slightly
    Turn the steering wheel sharply
    When you reach between 30 and 45 degrees with the curb, or in line with the front right corner with the vehicle behind, countersteer to straighten
    When the front right corner of your car reaches the car ahead, look back and steer left quickly
    Countersteer to straighten your vehicle into the centre of the space
    Stop without hitting the vehicle behind
    Shift into Drive (D)
    Advance slowly straight ahead

  • Parking on Hills

    Parking On A Hill
    Before you leave your vehicle parked, it is important to note the position that you are leaving it in
    Front tires must be turned in such a way that if the vehicle were to start to roll, it would roll into the curb rather than into the roadway

    Parking downhill
    Whether there is a curb or not, the tires should be turned toward the near side of the road

    Parking uphill with a curb
    Tires should be turned away from the near side of the road (preferably resting against the curb)

    Parking uphill without a curb
    Tires should be turned toward the near side of the road, pointing towards the shoulder. Hence preventing the vehicle from rolling back onto the roadway.

    Whenever you park a vehicle on a rural highway at night or whenever lights are required, you must have one white or amber light from the front and one red light showing from the rear on the roadway side of your vehicle.