40 | Driver’s Manual CHAPTER 7 / PARALLEL PARKING HOW TO PARK HOW TO PARK ON A HILL HOW TO PULL OUT FROM PARALLEL  PARKING Parallel parking takes skill and is part of every  road test. You must know where parking is illegal  and what NO PARKING, NO STANDING and NO  STOPPING signs indicate. to turn your steering wheel completely toward the  near curb. Look through the rear window, not the  mirrors, when you back up. Look to the side and  front occasionally to make sure you will not touch  the vehicle ahead. Many motorists consider parallel parking the  most difficult part of driving. But practice will  teach you how to back up correctly and to judge  distances and angles. Some vehicles have additional safety equip- ment (such as back up cameras and range-de- tecting sensors) to help the driver back up safely.  Some vehicles can even park themselves (in  certain conditions). Although these can be useful  features, you need to be alert and check the area  behind your vehicle before you back up. YOU –  as the driver – are ultimately responsible for the  safe operation of your vehicle.  3. When your front wheels are opposite the back  bumper of the vehicle ahead, turn the steering  wheel the other way while you continue to back  up. Make sure you clear the vehicle ahead. Look  back and stop to ensure that you do not bump the  vehicle behind you. The following instructions are general. You must  adjust parallel-parking procedures to the particu- lar situation. Practice is the only method to learn correctly.  4. Bring your wheels straight and pull forward. Al- low room for the vehicles ahead and behind you.  In your final parking position, your wheels must be  no more than one foot (30 cm) from the curb. To get nearer to the curb, alternately pull forward  and back up, and turn the steering wheel first  toward the curb and then quickly straight again. After parking, remember that you must not open  the door on the road side if it will interfere with  bicyclists and other traffic. 1. Select a space that is large enough for your ve- hicle on your side of the road. Check your mirrors  before you stop and signal to warn other drivers.  Stop next to the vehicle in front of the space and  leave about two feet between the other vehicle  and your vehicle. After you park on a hill, make sure to set your  parking brake. Put the transmission in “Park” (or,  if your vehicle has a manual transmission, put  the transmission into 1st gear). Turn the wheels  toward the curb or side of the road, so they will  keep your vehicle from heading into traffic.  2. Look behind you over both shoulders to make  sure you will not interfere with pedestrians or on- coming traffic. Back the vehicle slowly and begin  To pull away from a parallel parking space, make  sure your wheels are straight, back up to the  3. 4. 1. 2.