Find a space at least three feet longer than your car and signal. Stop beside the car in front of the space, with your rear bumper level with the front of the space. Look over your shoulder, back in at about 45 degrees, then turn the wheel the other way to straighten out. Finish parallel and within 18 inches of the curb.
Watch it
The five steps in under 30 seconds. Turn the sound on for the voiceover.
From the California Driver's Handbook (section 6):
Finish within 18 inches of the curb. Turn off the car, set the parking brake, and check for bikes before you open your door.
The DMV's sample score sheet (form DL 32) describes backing this way: pull to the curb, back up three vehicle lengths, then pull back into traffic safely. Its Backing box includes an item marked "Parallel", but the sample doesn't describe a parallel-parking task (DMV teen drivers page, DL 32 sample). We can't tell you what your test will include, so practice both.
Self-parking features aren't allowed on the test. Backup cameras are, but they don't replace checking your mirrors and over your shoulder (Handbook, section 3).
| Curb | What it means |
|---|---|
| White | Stop only to pick up or drop off passengers |
| Green | Park for the posted time limit |
| Yellow | Load and unload passengers and freight, for the posted time |
| Red | No stopping, standing or parking |
| Blue | Disabled parking, with a placard or special plate |
Source for both: Handbook, section 6.
Practice notes, not rules:
On a permit, you need a licensed driver beside you. Who counts: our learner's permit rules.
On our Adult & Nervous Driver Lessons, you can spend a lesson on parking. Dual-control car (the instructor has their own brake), pickup in the listed cities from San Francisco to San Jose and Oakland. Bring your original, valid California permit or license.
Teens: parking is part of Teen Driving Lessons, $600 · three 2-hour lessons.
Private 2-hour lessons in a dual-control automatic car, with pickup in listed cities from San Francisco to San Jose and the East Bay.
Lessons from $200 for a 2-hour lesson. See all lessons and prices
