I can't parallel park - has anyone taught themselves?

[AnaChocolatte]

I passed my test in 2001 - I've avoided parallel parking every since but it is such a hindrance.

I couldn't park my car outside my house tonight as the space wasn't easy enough for me to make it in - the space was big enough for a van..

Anyone found a way to learn easily without employing a driving instructor?

What does it mean to 'dry' steer?

Must be lots of Youtube videos that give a formula. And then practice on your own quietly in an empty carpark, maybe.

I can do it with several gos. Which I don't mind at all as long as DH not nobody is watching. My mother told me what she thought was the perfect formula and made me practice it with her; It didn't work for me most the time. Nothing does.

I get red mist with people who say "I can teach you how to do it, easily, in 5 minutes". I just know they are the sort of person who will give up in exasperation trying to teach me after about 20 minutes, probably screeching "But you're not doing anything I tell you to!" so they turn out to be lousy teachers which is apparently my fault.

We had similar smug attitude with someone who insisted that she taught DS to tie shoelaces in 5 minutes... 2 yrs later, he still couldn't tie them.

I used to be brilliant at it.

But I bought a car that does it by itself now I am too scared I've forgotten how to park to even try it without pressing the button

I ended up on the pavement once while trying to get into a massive space. I have no spacial awareness so always think I'm going to hit something. My husband is the best Parker ever but I'm just un teachable 😫

The one to the left, one to the right, one to the right, one to the left thing works with certain cars - worked with the car I learnt to drive in but not in my own car. My driving instructor did a pass plus with me and we practised this - for mine it’s lining up the car behind’s reg number in my rear windscreen, once it’s there I’m in. Just give it a go, first time I had to do it a woman stood outside and watched me - she thought I was drunk

The only time I have ever parallel parked was when DD was learning to drive and I was taking her out for practice in my car.

I was trying to explain the theory of how to parallel park (which I had been reading up on the day before!). She kept getting into the wrong position and when I tried to tell her how to do it, she stopped the car, got out and said "show me!"

Much to my utter astonishment (and hers ) I actually managed to perform a perfect manoeuvre! Fortunately, she didn't ask me to repeat it.

That was 17 years ago and I have never done it since! I'm one of those wimps who would rather park half a mile away and walk, than try to parallel park in public!

I was taught by my driving instructor to turn your wheel (half turn I think) when your back end reaches the back end of the car you've pulled up beside, then when your mirrors reach the other cars back end turn (1 full turn) the opposite way. Obv adjust this dependant on the length of the car. It was a Corsa I learned in many, many years ago.

This is pretty much what I still have in my mind when doing it. I've gotten into some pretty tiny spaces, one in particular that after getting out the car I thought how did I get in that and oh god how will I get out!

It really is practice makes perfect though! You just need to keep practicing, start on the bigger spaces like the one you didn't want to try tonight.

I can parallel park and used to have to be awesome at it due to on street parking but some times you just cock it up on the first go and then it gets worse from there.

I had to do it to pass my test, crap at it now though

Pull up alongside the car you are parking behind. Reverse back until your backdoor is lined up with the end of their car.

Next turn your steering wheel left full lock and reverse until your back wheel arch looks like it is over the kerb when you look in your wing mirror.

At this point turn your steering wheel full lock to the right and reverse until the car is straightened up in the space.

Return the steering wheel to neutral and admire your amazing parking skills.

Good luck x

I did it perfectly on my test but I think it's having cars around in busy traffic that spooks me. But I cannot reverse into a bay to save my life. Thank goodness I didn't get that manoeuvre on my driving test

The only thing for it is practise. I avoided it for years until 15 years ago we moved into this bastard house with no driveway so I parallel park about 6 times a day and now I'm shit hot at it. I've had compliments from passing men () and everything. There really is no other way.

I'm late thirties. Have been driving since I was 17, passed my test at about 19. To this day I STILL can't parallel park.It's never going to happen, so I just don't even bother trying anymore.

I taught myself and agree, use reference points, do it slowly and ignore anyone becoming impatient with you.

The more often you do it the more confident you will become.

SrSteveOskowski I'm the same, except I'm in my 60s and have been driving for over 30 years!

I got a lesson just for that purpose. But then didn’t drive for ages and am out of the habit again. I too will park half a mile away rather than try and park somewhere tricky.

I failed my test once because of it at 17. Didn’t bother to try following that.
But then my boyfriend when I was 21 lived on a street that you needed to parallel park on. I soon became good at it with plenty of practice! Now I think I’m a great parker

Yes - using a diagram thing. Hang on I think I saved it...www.reddit.com/r/oddlysatisfying/comments/awxft7/this_illustration_of_parallel_parking_of_a_car/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app

www.reddit.com/r/oddlysatisfying/comments/awxft7/this_illustration_of_parallel_parking_of_a_car/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app better link!

It looks tricky but try it when the road is quiet, it works well and is easy to master.

Been driving over 20 years and it's only in the last 7 since I've had cars with a reversing camera that I can do it. OH often says to me you'll be fucked if you ever have a car without a camera now

I did it to pass my test and then never had to do it for about 15 years so cant do it now unless theres a large gap.

This is how I do it.

Drive forward, match up your knees to the parked car steering wheel, start reversing and reverse like a pro........

About thirty years ago, I drove a BMW 318i on a D reg........... no power steering...

My parents came from Ireland for the weekend, I knew my car and my ability.

My Df said you will never manage that space,.... I parked it like a boss, in one manoeuvre.

He just uttered.................Bloody Hell...

My DM said............... Bloody Hell.................Surely you mean Bloody Well Done.

Whoever said dry steer above is wrong. You should never turn your steering wheel without the car moving. A parallel park should be done as one continuous manouvere .

look up the aa online instructions they’re really good. My other top tip is to move the kerb side wing mirror down so you can actually see the kerb.

These 2 tips and practice worked for me.

X

It was the manouver I had to perform on my driving test but I haven't done it since. My car is much bigger than the one I was taught in and doesn't have the reverse sensors or camera.