How to teach your teen safe parallel parking skills?

Answer 1

Parallel parking is one of the biggest obstacles in getting a driver’s license. Many young people assume they will never need it and find the requirement frustrating and needless. However, there are many instances throughout their life when parallel parking may be a necessary skill and teaching them the proper way is important.

If no formal area for driving practice is available, look into isolated areas of shopping malls, schools, public venues or any wide open area where clear and uninterrupted driving may be done. It’s best to choose a day when there are as little traffic interruptions as possible.

To teach your teen the proper depth and distance, use cones, if available. Bright orange traffic cones can be found at many hardware stores and home improvement warehouses. Place cones beside a long stretch of curb to the right of the automobile. Initially set the distance of the cones at 2 car lengths between to simulate the front and rear bumpers of parked cars. Depending upon comfort level and skill, slowly reduce the distance between the cones until proper parking is achieved several times.

To ensure proper visibility of the cones or if the practice car is particularly large like a van or a truck, try placing some poles or posts inside the center of each cone. This raises the physical visibility of the cones for a more confident practice. If cones are not available, designated parking lines are a good option. Use three to four spaces and have the teen practice in between them.

To give confidence to the driver and provide for a better understanding of weaknesses and strengths of the process, parents should stand outside of the automobile as the child begins. Give them slow and steady instructions by hand. Have them begin at the front cone or parking line and ease back into the space turning the wheel and applying gas slowly and steadily. Direct them, from a safe distance by simulating your hands at the wheel to signify which way to turn.

Praise them for their efforts and repeat as necessary until they can confidently parallel park independently and with little outside assistance.