It’s the most common type of parking in garages, movie theaters, and other commercial places – but don’t take it for granted. Perpendicular parking may seem easier compared to parallel parking, but a lot can go wrong when you’re handling the car. Here’s a step-by-step guide to everything you need to know about Perpendicular parking.
Many drivers mistakenly believe that perpendicular parking is much simpler than parallel parking. However, with the increasing demand for off-site garages and public parking lots, perpendicular parking has become more competitive than ever. It may seem easy when there are plenty of vacant spots, but maneuvering into a space between two cars can be quite tricky!
Don’t stress out too much, though – here’s our simple guide to becoming a pro at perpendicular parking..
Perpendicular parking requires cars to be parked side by side, perpendicular to the aisle or curb, unlike parallel parking, where vehicles are parked in line with the curb. It is a type of angled parking commonly used to utilize parking spaces efficiently. Vehicles are parked at a 90-degree angle to the curb and are typically driven straight head-on or reverse parked into a spot.
This type of parking takes up less space than parallel parking, making it ideal for public parking lots, private parking bays, parking decks, and commercial lots. Perpendicular parking prioritizes economy of motion and is commonly used in high-demand locations such as malls, theaters, shopping complexes, and supermarket parking lots.
There are no fixed dimensions for a perpendicular parking spot, as they vary from state to state or city to city. However, most angled and perpendicular spaces are typically 10-18 feet long and 9-10 feet wide. The variation in length depends on the average length of cars in the area.
Depending on your driving skill, you can choose to perpendicular park in two ways – Head-on parking or Reverse parking. While Head-on parking is easier for beginners, it can cause problems when backing out of the spot when leaving. On the other hand, experienced drivers tend to reverse park and back into a spot when parking, so that they won’t have any issues while leaving.
Don’t drive into the first spot you see! It’s always good to slow down and check out all available spots before parking. Spaces in the corner of a lot or those completely surrounded by cars will be significantly harder to park in. As a general rule, pick spaces on your left rather than on your right. This will give your vehicle more room to maneuver.
Turn on your indicators so the car behind you is clear about your intention to turn. Ideally, you should approach the spot at a 90-degree angle – avoid angling into the spot. Do not turn the steering wheel until your side mirror passes the center of the space before the one you’ve chosen. Use this as a reference point to practice and perfect the timing of your turn.
Ensure your car has fully entered the spot before adjusting the steering wheel back to the center position. Adjust your car’s position so that it is at a 90-degree angle to the curb and parallel to the other cars in the row. This will help you park accurately and make it easier for others to park beside you.
Use your mirrors to check if you are properly angled. Ensure that you leave enough space for the driver of the adjacent car to comfortably open their door and get in. You don’t want to park so close that getting in and out becomes difficult! Also, make sure the back of your car is not jutting out of the spot. Proper spacing and alignment will make parking easier and safer for everyone.
Drive ahead of the space you want to occupy until your back bumper is in line with the border of the space. Alternatively, you can align your side mirror with the border of the adjoining space. Keep your indicators on and use hand signals to let other drivers know you are backing in. This will help ensure that others are aware of your intentions and can give you the space needed to park safely.
Turn your steering wheel into the spot, put your car in reverse, and start backing in slowly. Keep a close eye on the rearview mirror until your bumper is fully inside the space. Maintain pressure on the brake pedal so you can easily re-align if needed and try again. This will help you ensure that your vehicle is properly positioned within the parking spot.
Straighten your wheels when you see that almost half of the car is inside the space. Continue backing until you reach the end of the spot. At this point, your car may be misaligned either to the left or right, which is okay. Shift into drive and move forward to align your vehicle properly, then back in again if necessary. This process helps ensure that you are parked correctly and gives you the best positioning within the space.
Use both the right and left side mirrors to gauge your position and ensure the car is aligned straight. Check the side spaces to confirm that both you and the adjacent car have enough room to open your doors comfortably. This final check helps ensure that you’re parked safely and that other drivers can easily access their vehicles.
