Parallel parking is one of the skills that many new drivers fear the most – and at the same time one of the most important maneuvers you need to master in order to pass your practical driving test. At Unique Drive Traffic School in Copenhagen, we place great emphasis on our students becoming familiar with parallel parking, not only to pass the test, but to become safe and responsible drivers in everyday life.
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about parallel parking – what it is, why it’s important, how to do it correctly, and how we at Unique Drive can help you step by step.
What is parallel parking?
Parallel parking is a maneuver where you park your car parallel to the curb between two other cars – typically in urban areas where parking space is limited. The maneuver requires precision, good orientation and an understanding of the car’s dimensions.
It’s not enough to just be able to drive your car forward. As a driver in Copenhagen – one of Denmark’s busiest cities – it’s crucial to be able to park quickly, safely and correctly in narrow parking spaces and along sidewalks.
Why is parallel parking important?
Parallel parking is much more than a technical discipline for your driving test. It’s an everyday skill you’ll need again and again:
- When you have to park in narrow city streets.
- When you need to find a place close to your home, work or shop.
- When you need to get in and out of tight parking spaces.
Failure to master parallel parking can result in unsafe driving, dangerous situations, and potential damage to your car or others.
That’s why at Unique Drive Traffic School we teach our students how to parallel park step by step, focusing on safety, overview and self-confidence behind the wheel.
Parallel parking – part of the practical driving test
When you take the practical driving test, you may be asked to perform up to three different maneuvers:
- Parallel parking
- 3-point turn
- Backing around the corner
Of these, parallel parking is often considered the most difficult – especially for new drivers. But with our method and training, it quickly becomes a routine that you can perform without stress.
How we teach you parallel parking – step by step
At Unique Drive Driving School, we follow a simple and effective method to teach you how to parallel park. Here are the most important steps you need to know:
- Preparation and correct placement
First of all, it’s about preparing the maneuver correctly:
- Turn on the right turn signalto signal that you intend to park.
- Drive up alongside a parked car on the right side with a distance of approximately 0.5 – 1 meter.
- Stop the car so that the rear of your car is aligned with the rear of the parked car.
It’s about symmetry and predictability – both for your own sake and for the road users driving behind you.
- Orientation
Before you start backing up, you need to orient yourself thoroughly. Use the classic:
Mirror – mirror – shoulder:
- Look in the rearview mirror
- Look in the right side mirror.
- Look over your right shoulder
You must not pose a danger or inconvenience to other road users during the maneuver. If a cyclist or car approaches, you must stop and let them pass before continuing.
- Start backing up
- Put the car in reverse gear and slowly start backing up.
- When the center point of your car (usually the side mirror) is aligned with the center point of the parked car, turn the steering wheel to the right (approximately 45 degrees).
- Your car will now start to turn the rear end towards the curb and the front end to the left.
- Do the orientation again: Mirror – mirror – shoulder.
- Straighten up
- When your car is almost in line with the curb, turn the steering wheel one turn to the left to get the wheels straight again.
- Continue backing up slowly and in a controlled manner while keeping an eye on the curb in the right side mirror.
It’s about finding the balance – not hitting the curb, but not staying too far away either.
- End the maneuver
- When the curb is no longer visible in the mirror, it means that the rear end is close to the curb.
- Turn the steering wheel all the way to the left so that the rear of the car straightens up and the front turns in.
- Once the car is completely straight, turn the steering wheel back to the right to straighten the wheels.
- The distance to the curb
The ideal distance between your car and the curb is around 30 cm. This shows that you have control of the car and can park accurately.
Too close = risk of hitting the curb. Too far = you take up unnecessary space in the street.
At Unique Drive, we teach you to feel the car and its distance – with both mirrors and intuition.
Tips for parallel parking
➤ Practice at a leisurely pace
Avoid rushing. The slower you drive, the better control you have.
➤ Use mirrors actively
Remember that mirrors are your best friends – both for seeing the curb and for orienting yourself.
➤ Train on empty streets
Start by practicing on empty streets or parking lots without pressure from other drivers.
➤ Be patient with yourself
Everyone makes mistakes in the beginning – the important thing is to learn from them and get better.
Watch our instructional video – learn quickly and easily
At Unique Drive Traffic School, we have produced an instructional video that shows parallel parking step by step – with both an in-car camera and a bird’s eye view. This gives you the opportunity to see the maneuver in practice, understand the timing, and learn the technique visually.
The video is a perfect complement to your practical training, and you can watch it as many times as you need – both before and after your theory lesson or driving lesson.
Why you should choose Unique Drive Traffic School
We know that parallel parking can feel like a challenge – especially for new drivers. That’s why we do everything we can to:
- Create safety in the car
- Give you hands-on experience with real cityscapes
- Learn techniques you can use throughout your life
- Prepare yourself as best as possible for the driving test
Our students not only learn how to parallel park – but also why and when it is important to use the technique correctly.
Ready to master parallel parking?
Sign up for your next driving lesson at Unique Drive Traffic School in Copenhagen, and get prepared for both the driving test and real-life traffic.
We are ready with experienced and patient driving instructors, modern cars and a teaching method that makes it easy and safe to learn – regardless of your level.
