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Georgia driving lesson · Speed, Parking and Railroad Crossings

Parallel parking and backing up

A 3-minute lesson from the Georgia course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Speed, Parking and Railroad Crossings
Checkpoint questions
3
Source pages
21, 22, 24

Parallel parking is a skill you'll use on your road test and on city streets. The handbook gives a step-by-step method. Backing up is risky because you can't see well, so look over your shoulder instead of trusting your mirrors.

Wheel position when parking on a hill (curb)
Parallel parking, step by step
About 2 feet

Gap from the car ahead (door to door) when you stop to begin

Handbook p. 21 ↗

Steps to parallel park:

  • Pull past the space and stop about even with the car ahead of it, about 2 feet away
  • Turn the wheels sharply right and back slowly toward the car behind the space
  • When your front door passes the other car's back bumper, straighten the wheels and back in diagonally
  • When your front bumper clears the car ahead, turn the wheels sharply left and back slowly
  • Stop before touching the car behind; shift to drive, turn sharply right, pull to the center
Handbook p. 22 ↗

Know the rule

Always signal before you start the parking maneuver and when you pull out of a parallel space.

Handbook p. 22 ↗

Know the rule

Before backing, check all sides of your vehicle. Turn your head and look over your right shoulder while backing; don't depend on your mirrors.

Handbook p. 22 ↗

Know the rule

Drivers of buses and large vehicles should use all mirrors and have a reliable person observe and direct them while backing.

Handbook p. 22 ↗

Know the rule

Backing up is prohibited on controlled-access roadways.

Handbook p. 24 ↗

Put it into practice

You're backing out of a driveway and your mirror looks clear. Turn and look over your right shoulder and check all around first; a child could be behind the car.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

When parallel parking, you should aim to be approximately 2 feet from the car ahead, door to door, before backing in.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

The parallel parking steps start with stopping approximately 2 feet from the car ahead, door to door.

Handbook p. 21 ↗
When backing up, where does the handbook say you should look?
  1. Only at the rear view mirror
  2. Over your right shoulder, turning your head
  3. Only at the side mirrors
  4. Straight ahead through the windshield

Answer: Over your right shoulder, turning your head

Turn your head and look over your right shoulder while backing; don't depend on your mirrors.

Handbook p. 22 ↗
What does the handbook recommend when backing a bus or other large vehicle?
  1. Rely on a backup camera alone
  2. Use only the right-side mirror
  3. Back up only when no traffic is present
  4. Use all mirrors and a person to direct you

Answer: Use all mirrors and a person to direct you

Drivers of buses and large vehicles should use all mirrors and have a reliable person observe and direct while backing.

Handbook p. 22 ↗
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