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Parking tips and hints


Parking tips and hints

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Q: I used to be good at reverse parking, but with my new car I can’t seem to get it right. Why is that?

A: Today, even the cheapest new cars have power steering. Instead difficulties arise due to the differences in vehicle style and width.

The trick to an accurate and safe reverse parallel park is to have a set reference point that you can use each time.

As a guide, your reference point should be about one-third from the rear of your vehicle. So, it may be the door lock, the edge of the door or halfway across the window on the rear passenger side. You can then use this point as the place you reach before you begin to reverse into the parking spot. In your new car, find a quiet street and have a few practice goes to find the reference point for that car.

Q: Our house is on a steep road and I park my car on the road as we don't have a driveway. I find my car tends to roll back a fraction after I put the car in 'park' and pull up the handbrake.

A: Generally when you park, you should ensure your wheels are straight, but if the car might roll, point them towards the gutter - you don't need to lock them in this position, they just need to be angled slightly. Secure your vehicle with the handbrake first, then select the gear you should be in, ie. 'park' (for automatics) or first gear (for manuals). This ensures the car is secure and is particularly important if you are parking on an incline.

If you or someone you know is having problems with parking, or you haven't driven in a while, why not take a refresher lesson? NRMA Safer Driving offers professional driving lessons with qualified instructors for people of all ages. Call 1300 696 762 or visit NRMA Safer Driving.

Important points to remember

If you're getting into your car after you've been away from it for some time, check around it for any hazards. For example, make sure there are no small children or dogs nearby that you could run into.

Before you enter or exit a parking spot, turn your head and look over your shoulder - don't rely on your mirrors - to make sure you can do so safely. Even if you have a reversing sensor or camera, these are no substitutes for turning your head and using your eyes. If you're using a reversing device for the first time, practice using it in a quiet street first.

If you're not parked wholly within a parking bay, ie. you've parked over a designated line, you may get a ticket from a parking inspector, depending on the by-laws of the local council in that area.

Always look in the direction in which your car is travelling. If you're going backwards, turn around and look behind you; if you're going forwards, look straight ahead of you.

Motorcycles

  • Do not park between 'Motorcycles only' signs unless you are riding a motorcycle.
  • Motorcycles can be angle-parked anywhere it is legal to park, even if a sign shows parallel parking.
  • Make sure your motorcycle doesn't stick out further than any parallel-parked car.
  • A motorcycle is permitted to take up a whole parking bay. While it might seem like wasted space, don't even attempt to share your car in a bay with a motorcycle.

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