A 3-minute lesson from the Indiana course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Parking takes careful control at low speed and a clear idea of where you may not stop. Indiana's manual walks you through parallel parking step by step.
Parallel parking into a space with cars in front and behind:
1. Signal your intention to park
2. Pull up parallel to the car in front of the space, at least two feet away, rear bumpers aligned
3. Back slowly until your front is even with its front door; turn sharply right to a 45-degree angle
4. When your front passes its rear, turn the wheel sharply left, then gradually, while backing in
5. Straighten your wheels and pull forward in the space
Figure A: line up parallel, rear bumpers evenFigure B: back in at a 45-degree angleFigure C: turn left while backing inFigure D: straighten and pull forward
2 feet
Minimum gap from the parked car beside you as you set up to parallel park
To reverse, turn your body to the right and look through the back window. Never rely only on the rearview mirror, go slowly, and never back into an intersection to turn around.
Accessible spaces are marked with a sign and pavement markings. The striped area beside them lets wheelchair users transfer and accessible vehicles deploy ramps. Parking there is prohibited even with a valid placard.
You parallel park facing downhill on a street with a curb. Turn your front wheels toward the curb. When you leave, signal, then look both ways and double-check for cars and pedestrians before pulling out.
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.
How close to a fire hydrant is parking prohibited?
Within 5 feet
Within 25 feet
Within 15 feet
Within 30 feet
Answer: Within 15 feet
Parking is prohibited within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or in fire lanes.
