'To drive in reverse, a motorist’s head and body should be turned to the right until he/she can see clearly through the back window of the vehicle without the use of mirrors. (Never mind that this rule was probably written when bench seats were the norm - as it's difficult or impossible to do with bucket seats that have been the norm since the mid-'60's - and before we had a large driving population over 65, many of whom can't turn their heads that far due to arthritis!): * Little known fact: According to the NJ Driver Manual, you should put your right arm over the back of the passenger seat and turn your head far to the right while backing. Note: When practicing with cones (no other parked cars present) place the cones where the left corners of the cars would be. BTW, these instructions are essentially the same as those given in the NJ Driver Manual. But you're allowed more motions during the parking test - I forget how many. I can usually parallel park in one reverse and one forward motion this way. Straighten your wheel and slowly pull forward to put your car within the marked parking space. Remembering that the back end of your car will pivot at the rear wheels, cut your wheels sharply to the left when you can see that this will align the left side of your car with the left side of the car behind.Ĭontinue backing until your car is parallel to the curb. Watch over your shoulder*, and in your rear-view and left side mirror as you slowly back up. Now cut your wheels sharply to the right and back slowly - causing your front end to swing into the street (be careful in traffic!!!) and your back end to start entering the parking space. Pull up (or back) until the rear of your front, passenger-side door with the rear of that car. Pull parallel to the car that's parked ahead of the space you want to occupy, and maybe 18' from that car.

My father (who drove a lot) taught me how to parallel park.

Nj dmv parallel parking test