Mastering the art of parking is a crucial skill for any driver. Here are seven quick tips to help you park like a pro.
To be a good driver, it’s also important to be good at parking.
But let’s face it, no one’s a big fan of parking. From those who are just starting to feel comfortable behind the steering wheel to experienced car drivers, getting your car perfectly positioned in a tight space is considered as one of the more intimidating aspects of driving a vehicle.
While it’s one of the major pains of being a driver, getting better at parking is not exactly rocket science. It’s a skill that can be easily learned with the right knowledge and a bit of practice.
To help you out, here are our 7 useful tips to make parking a breeze.
1. Learn the dimensions of your car
Having spatial awareness is a must-have skill when driving. It helps you understand where you are in relation to things around you and how your movements can change that.
This is especially important when parking. If you’re learning how to park, it can be confusing working out how much space your vehicle takes up because you’re in a much bigger “body” than you’re used to. This makes estimating a safe distance between cars much more difficult.
To improve your spatial awareness, you can start by knowing the dimensions of your car. Knowing the length, width, and height of your vehicle gives you a crucial foundation for any parking manoeuvre.
But beyond knowing your exact car size, it’s also important to have the ability to ‘feel’ the dimensions of your vehicle. By learning to estimate the width, length and height by eye, a driver can easily park even in challenging parking environments.
How to know your car’s dimension
For beginners, there are do-it-yourself tricks to get to know the dimensions of your car better. People who want to be more comfortable parking in their home turf can try these homemade garage parking aids that are tried-and-tested by fellow drivers:
- Tying a tennis ball on a string hung from the ceiling so when it hits your windshield, you know you’ve pulled in far enough.
- Using a paint brush or broom head attached to the driver side wall. When your mirror hits the bristles, you can be aware you are too inclined to that side
- Sticking bright reflective tape on your garage wales to indicate a set point on your vehicle
- Place a wood block on your floor to know where and when you need to stop
2. Understand parking dimensions
Another way to improve your parking skills is to familiarise yourself with parking spot dimensions. Knowing the size helps you manoeuvre comfortably and easily.
For public parking spaces, Australia’s standard size for car spaces on streets and in parking lots is 5400 millimetres long and 2400 to 2600 millimetres wide – spacious enough to accommodate an average-sized vehicle.
While this is the standard, take note that parking space dimensions can vary.
For example, a 90-degree angle car parking bay is required by the government to include a dedicated parking or non-shared space and be 2400 millimetres wide by 5400 millimetres long. The same guidelines apply for 45-degree angle parking spots.
Dedicated (non-shared) parallel parking bays are required to be at least 3200 millimetres wide by 7800 millimetres long, while the shared area for this type of parking should be at least 1600 millimetres wide by 7,800 millimetres long.
Once you are familiar with the dimensions, you can effortlessly tell the right one for your car as you can easily visualise it in your mind.
We recommend practising in a parking space with the biggest dimensions if you are a beginner.
If you don’t know the size of the space, experienced drivers recommend using a cone or ask a friend to help guide you in the parking space to ensure you leave a few inches from the wall.
If it’s parallel parking, make sure to leave a good space between cars and you won’t cause damage to vehicles. If you are using a friend’s car, you can try walking around before you drive. Check the positioning of the bumper and the rear wheels, and you will have easier control over it.
3. Master reverse parking
While all drivers will need to learn all the different manoeuvres to enter and leave a parking space to pass their tests, reverse parking could be the one that saves lives.
Reverse parking means backing into a space so you can drive forward out of the space after. It can be a simple way to reduce the risk of collisions.
This is backed by a recent study by Monash University’s National Road Safety Partnership Program (NRSPP) that showed “reversing into a space meant cars were in a safer position for pulling away”.
Reverse parking is also cited as the best parking manoeuvre as it helps save time as well as petrol. Not to mention, reverse parking in a tight parking space is a good way to show off your expertise behind the wheel.
But while there are a couple of benefits to reverse parking we understand that this can be a challenging manoeuvre for some drivers. Here are our tips to make reverse parking easier and safer for you:
- Choose the right spot. Look for a parking space that is big enough for your car and where you can easily manoeuvre into and out of.
- Be aware of your surroundings: Before you start reversing your vehicle, make sure to check your surroundings. Check your distance to obstacles, pedestrians or other vehicles (if there are any). Look at the front, sides and rear of your car to ensure it is safe to reverse.
- Go slow. Slowly back up your car while keeping your eyes on your mirrors and camera display. Avoid sudden movements , which can make it more difficult to control your car.
- Check your mirrors. For safe reverse parking, check your interior mirror before stopping and again as you approach the parked car. Use your exterior and wing mirrors, along with a head check, when pulling out, and remember to check the interior mirror every five to eight seconds for ongoing awareness.
- Use your steering wheel: Use your steering wheel to help move your car into the parking space. Use small movements to adjust your car’s position.
- Practice: The more you practice, the easier reverse parking will become. Look for opportunities to practice in empty parking lots or quiet streets.
By following these tips, you can improve your reverse parking skills and prevent accidents.
4. Use your mirrors
One of the most common errors drivers make, according to Julie Emerson, a driving instructor and president of the Australian Driver Trainers Association, is that they only check their mirrors when they’re about to change lanes.
“Realistically, we should be checking our interior mirror every five to eight seconds,” she says.
Check if your mirrors are in the correct position and make necessary adjustments every time you get into your vehicle.
Move your side mirrors to widen your view, and position yourself so you’re level with the window. By doing this, you minimise your blind spots.
Use your rearview mirror to see any cars approaching when parking. You can also check if the next car is moving out, whether you are reversing or getting into the parking space.
To check blind spots on the parking side, utilise your car’s wing mirrors to ensure there are no pedestrians, motorcycles, or bikes attempting to overtake you.
If you prioritise safety, consider installing additional mirrors fitted to These mirrors provide visibility in areas not covered by standard side mirrors and are also inexpensive.
5. Practice, practice, practice
As the saying goes: Practice makes perfect. Parking can be a bit tricky, and nailing it on the first try is a rare feat. So, don’t be discouraged if it takes a few attempts to get the hang of it!
If you’re just starting to drive, pick a nice open parking spot nearby for some practice. One option is to head to a local parking lot after it’s closed.
With no other cars around, you may find that you feel more comfortable and confident parking in one particular way, whether it be a parallel, perpendicular parking or bay park. This could boost your confidence for completing any manoeuvre in a busier location.
Don’t be afraid to ask for some help too! Practice parking under supervision, either with a family member, a friend or a driving instructor to avoid collisions and other minor accidents.
6. Use technology
Sometimes mastering driving skills can be hard, and technology may be the handy tool you just need. The best part is most car manufacturers have designed cars to offer parking support, including dashcams, rearview cameras and parking sensors.
Parking sensors will alert you whenever you get close to an object which will keep you from colliding with other cars. Meanwhile, rearview cameras will be handy when squeezing into a tight spot since you can know the space to leave between cars.
Some modern cars have backup cameras and parking guidance for easier manouevring in the parking space.
7. Choose the right spot
Fortune may favour the bold in other situations, but new drivers are encouraged to avoid parking in spaces that could lead to a difficult parking experience.
If you’re practicing a difficult parking manouevre, such as parallel parking, it’s recommended to avoid busy places. Because while people can be patient and are happy to wait on you to get it right, you might feel extra pressure.
With this, it’s generally advised to choose a quiet location to practice in. Discovering the right parking spot is key to a hassle-free parking experience, ensuring your car fits seamlessly.
Make sure the parking space has enough room for your vehicle; attempting to park in a tighter space could lead to complications with neighbouring cars.
It’s also recommended not to take the first parking spot you see that’s available, especially if it looks like a tight fit or something you’re not used to, like an angled parking space. While it will take more time, find another space that may be more spacious than the first one.
Finally, remember to check on the safety of the parking space especially if you are practicing alone.
Final Thoughts
Parking can be tricky, especially with moves like parallel parking. But don’t worry, practice and the tips mentioned will help you park like a pro soon. If you’re just starting out, begin with easy spots, like empty parking spaces, especially if you’re on your own.
And if you’re looking to ease the stress of finding a convenient parking space, Parkhound has got you covered! We connect drivers in search of parking with hosts who have available parking spaces in convenient locations across Australia.
Discover the perfect parking spot for you, whether it’s a driveway, underground parking, covered parking, or a garage. We offer all types of parking to boost your confidence in mastering your parking skills.
Whether you’re looking for cheap parking spots in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide,and Perth, Parkhound will find you the perfect spot that will help you learn to park perfectly.
Want to learn more about parking from a professional driving instructor? Make sure to check out our list for the top 10 best driving schools in Sydney.