Parking lessons · Getting out is half the job
Leaving a parallel space
Make room, look behind, signal, and join traffic only when there is a gap.
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Step 1 of 4
Make room in front
With the wheels straight, back up close to the car behind you, without touching it.
From: New York State DMV, Drivers Manual, Chapter 7: Parallel Parking
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Step 2 of 4
Turn the wheels out
Turn the wheels away from the curb. Check behind you through the rear window and the inside mirror.
From: New York State DMV, Drivers Manual, Chapter 7: Parallel Parking
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Step 3 of 4
Signal, look, then go
Signal, check the side mirror, look over your shoulder toward traffic and move forward slowly.
From: New York State DMV, Drivers Manual, Chapter 7: Parallel Parking
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Step 4 of 4
Join the lane safely
Move into the lane only when there is a safe gap. Do not open a door on the road side into bikes or traffic.
From: New York State DMV, Drivers Manual, Chapter 7: Parallel Parking
Practice it
Try it first in an empty lot with cones, with a licensed adult beside you. Work out the cone spacing for your car, then rate it on your next logged drive.
Lessons are written in Park Weldon's own words from the manuals cited on each step (fetched October 2026). Rules differ between states and change: your own state's driver manual wins.