Easy Parallel Parking: A Simple Guide From a Driving School in Croydon

Parallel parking is one of those topic the majority of learners worry about, but is not difficult to do. With a calm brain and good explanation, anyone can parallel park. At our driving school in Croydon, we help learners build confidence around parking by breaking it down into small, simple steps. Here’s a detailed guide you can use any time you are going to park on a busy rode.

1. Start with a good position

Good positioning makes the rest of the manoeuvre smoother. Pull up next to the car you want to park behind and keep a small gap, about the width of your arm. Make sure both cars are level. Prior to a move,  check the mirrors and look at the blind spots to keep cyclists, pedestrians and passing vehicles in mind. 

2.  Move back and choose a reference point slowly.

Shift to reverse and move back at a walking pace. Do not rush. Stop when your back wheels are halfway past the middle of the parked car. This becomes your reference point to help you enter the parking spot at the right angle. The slower you go, the more time you have to think and adjust things. 

3.  Turn the wheel towards the kerb. 

Now you will turn the steering wheel fully towards the kerb. As you reverse, your car will start swinging into the space. Keep your eyes on both the kerb and the back corner of the parked car. If the car behind you is close, take extra care not to clip it. Gentle, smooth movements work best.

4. Straightening Up

When your front end is starting to clear the parked car, straighten the steering wheel and continue to reverse slowly.  This helps to align your car with the kerb. Continue your scanning around you to ensure the road is still safe, especially if there is growing traffic.

5. Small Adjustments

Once your car is mostly in the bay, you may need to make a small forward or backward adjustment to sit nicely. Don’t worry if it takes a couple of tries — even experienced drivers do this. The goal is a tidy, comfortable position, not speed. Stay relaxed and use small steering inputs.

6. Final check

Look around one last time to make sure your car is straight, close enough to the kerb, and safely spaced from the cars in front and behind. If you’re still unsure about your technique or you want personalised help, our driving school in Croydon offers friendly one-to-one training that makes parallel parking much easier. We teach clear methods that work in real driving situations and help you feel confident on every lesson.