What to know before your California driving test Here's exactly what you need to know to pass your California DMV behind-the-wheel test. This guide will make sure you know the specific requirements in California, what you can expect on the test itself and give our best practice tips. With a little preparation and insight into the test itself, there's nothing to be worried about. For more help preparing for your driver's test, check out the convenient online courses at know that taking your California driving test can be nerve-wracking. Though several states have eliminated the parallel parking requirement on road tests, learning this skill ensures that you are ready to drive - and park! - anywhere you want to go. If you're driving on a one-way street, it may be possible to parallel park on the left side, in which case you'll need to mentally revise the steps to face left instead of right. Note that these instructions assume that you will be parking on the right side of the road. If you're parked on a hill, make sure to angle your wheels toward the curb before you engage the parking brake. Once your car is centered in the space and is 6 to 12 inches from the curb, put the vehicle in park. You may need to back up a little again if you’re too far forward in the spot. If needed, pull forward to straighten the vehicle in the parking spot. Slowly back up as you straighten the wheels, which will help you pivot the vehicle into the space (instead of hitting the curb). Step 6: Straighten it out. Straighten the wheels by turning the steering wheel to the left. If your back wheels hit the curb, you’ve gone too far. Keep going until the back driver’s side corner of the car is lined up with the driver’s side front bumper of the vehicle behind the parking spot. Look over your right shoulder to see what’s behind you and ease backward. Before you take your foot off the brake, turn the wheel most or all the way to the right so the vehicle goes into the spot at a 45-degree angle. Step 5: Back into the space. Shift the car into reverse. You may also need to adjust your passenger side mirror downward to see the curb. If they do, you may have to wait until they pass you to continue, if they haven't left you enough room to back up. Make sure no one - pedestrian, cyclist, or vehicle - is coming up behind you. This will warn people not to come too close behind you. Step 3: Signal your intentions. Put on your right turn signal to let other drivers and cyclists know you're going to parallel park. There should be about two feet between your vehicle and the parked car. Step 2: Pull up to the space. Position your car so that it's beside the car in front of the empty parking space. Keep in mind your mental image of 26 feet to help you decide. Make sure it's one that's big enough for your car, with room to spare in front and behind. We break down the process into steps so you know just what to do when you hit the road to practice your parallel parking skills. While there's no substitute for hands-on practice, understanding the mechanics of parallel parking is key. Once you get this general size in your mind, it will be easier to pick out a good parallel parking space "in the wild" - that is, on streets where spaces aren't marked with painted lines. You can do this in your driveway to help visualize. To get a feel for how big that is, it helps for you to measure your car and then measure out a standard space. Spaces designated for compact cars will have smaller dimensions, such as 20 feet long and 7 feet wide. Most parallel parking spaces will have a standard length of 22 feet to 26 feet and a width of 8 feet. "Official" parallel parking dimensions vary from state to state, and sometimes even city to city. You'll get plenty of room to maneuver without worrying about bumping into the cars around you. If you have an area like this near you, it's a great place to practice, since these spots are usually quite spacious. On some streets, parallel parking spaces are marked with painted lines. The good news is that, with practice, you can master on-street parking. Whether you're a student preparing for your first road test or a seasoned driver relocating to an urban area, knowing how to parallel park will make your life a whole lot easier. Many drivers struggle with this skill, which combines spatial visualization, reverse steering, and strong nerves - often in heavy traffic. If parallel parking feels like a dragon that's just too big to slay, you're not alone.
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