How do you park next to the kerb? (Pull up next to this kerb)

My instructor has taught me to line my car parallel to the kerb and then a slight turn to the left and checking the left mirror will help be close to the kerb. However, I keep forgetting this or steer too much. How do you pull up next to a kerb? I'd like to see how other people have been taught. I need to know as I've been on 43 lessons and still don't get it perfect! Thanks

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Reply 1

username392640

LOL I've been driving for about 8 months now and I still can't park next to the kerb. Either I go too far and hit the kerb or too back and there's too much space left. Wasn't really taught this when I took lessons.

Reply 2

TCGTi

Original post by TheProdigy2k9

I know mate. My instructor taught me like once in 4 months because it's "easy to do" but clearly it isn't -_- and he's telling me to book my test...

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Reply 3

placenta medicae talpae

What you've got to do is steer towards the kerb a bit, and slow down so that you stop.

Reply 4

TCGTi

Original post by placenta medicae talpae

What you've got to do is steer towards the kerb a bit, and slow down so that you stop.

He says I steer too much to the left and don't look out the front so I end up hitting it :frown:

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Reply 5

@Sam

Could you try lowering your left mirror down and practicing when you can see what you are doing, then take the mirror away and see if you can do it knowing the movements. I know some people that were taught parallel parking using this method, to learn when to start steering right. After awhile you are able to do it without the aide of the mirror.

Reply 6

TCGTi

Original post by @Sam

Good idea. I'll ask my instructor.

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Reply 7

Dowster

Another good idea is to find a spot on your windowscreen (when parked) that lines up with the kerb. Then when you pull in use that as a guide.

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Reply 8

TCGTi

Original post by Dowster

Another good idea is to find a spot on your windowscreen (when parked) that lines up with the kerb. Then when you pull in use that as a guide.

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Would that be the middle of the windscreen? My instructor never gave me a reference.

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Reply 9

Liammm

Original post by Dowster

Another good idea is to find a spot on your windowscreen (when parked) that lines up with the kerb. Then when you pull in use that as a guide.

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That's exactly what my instructor told me what to do. It really helps! It's the same when reversing backwards - when I stopped close enough to the kerb, he told me to look at a marker on the back window that was touching the kerb and make sure I keep them as close as possible to each other. My reversing improved loads!

Reply 10

TCGTi

Original post by Liammm

I definitely need to ask my instructor to give me a reference point then! :biggrin:

Reply 11

hihihihihi

My dads a driving instructor and about 300 people have passed with him and yeah the best method is by finding a point on the mirror that lines up with the kerb. My dad teaches in a Vauxhall Corsa so the point ( turning point) which lines up with the kerb is the front door handles. So you just need to find the point and remember it.

Reply 12

Liammm

Original post by TCGTi

I definitely need to ask my instructor to give me a reference point then! :biggrin:

You should.. you'll find it much easier! The more accurate the point is, the better you'll be, for example in my case, I had Toyota written on the back.. instead of going just for the T, I'd go for the bottom of the T. I know it may seem insignificant, but I found it to be much more accurate. I just need to find a new point now since I'm now gonna be in a different car! :tongue:

Good luck! :biggrin:

Reply 13

TCGTi

Original post by Liammm

Good luck! :biggrin:

Thanks! My dad usually just goes in and reverses, it's so much easier reversing I think. How'd your test go? Pass it first go?

Reply 14

Liammm

Original post by TCGTi

Thanks! My dad usually just goes in and reverses, it's so much easier reversing I think. How'd your test go? Pass it first go?

Yeah the test went quite well... ended up with 7 minors so I'm happy enough :smile:

Yeah I passed on the first go just before Christmas so it was a pretty good present! Insurance starts next Wednesday so I'll be out next week! Have you got yours soon?

Reply 15

TCGTi

Original post by Liammm

Yeah the test went quite well... ended up with 7 minors so I'm happy enough :smile:

Yeah I passed on the first go just before Christmas so it was a pretty good present! Insurance starts next Wednesday so I'll be out next week! Have you got yours soon?

Wow really nicely done and good luck with your driving! My instructor's told me to book it. I'll re-post it on here to tell you the result whenever I do my test. Is your insurance under your parent's name?

Reply 16

Liammm

Original post by TCGTi

Thanks! Hopefully you'll do yours soon then. My instructor told me to book mine quite early since the waiting time for me was a month so hopefully yours will be soon! All the best when it comes!

Yeah, insurance is under my parent's name.. muuuch cheaper!

Reply 17

kinglynx

First practice not hitting the kerb, getting it a good foot away... then get a feel for how this ... feels..

then when youve done that, begin doing it again but turn closer to the curb, you might feel like your gonna hit it but you wont :smile:

Another way is, the central part of the dashboard of the car should point towards the kerb, then steer other direction and go forward :smile:

Reply 18

TCGTi

Original post by Liammm

Yeah I really hope so, had around 8 months of driving so glad I'm ready. Yeah definitely much cheaper under parent's name, what car you getting the insurance on mate?