Alberta Class 7 Practice

Parallel parking This type of parking may seem difficult at first and will require practice. To park in a space between two vehicles at the right-side curb, follow the steps illustrated. Note the position of the front tires (in red). When approaching your intended parallel parking space, check behind you for traffic. Gradually apply your brakes well in advance of the parking space to begin slowing. Your brake lights alert other drivers of your intent to stop. Determine if the parking space is large enough for your vehicle. Stop when the rear bumper of your vehicle (vehicle A) is in line with the rear bumper of vehicle B. Your vehicle should be parallel with vehicle B, with about one metre (three feet) of space between the two vehicles. Place your vehicle in reverse gear. Look over your right shoulder and behind you to make sure nothing is there and the space is still available. Reverse straight very slowly (crawl speed) about one-half metre (one and a half feet). While still moving slowly, steer sharply to the right until your vehicle is at about a 45-degree angle to the curb. Continue to look in the direction you are moving while glancing to the front. Your steering wheel should now be in line with the rear bumper of vehicle B. While reversing very slowly, straighten your front wheels and continue reversing until the right corner of your front bumper is in line with the rear bumper of vehicle B. Be careful not to make contact with this vehicle. Turn the wheel sharply to the left. Continue to look in the direction you are moving while glancing to the front. Reverse until your vehicle is parallel with the curb. Be careful not to make contact with the bumper of the vehicle behind you. The law requires that the wheels of the parked vehicle not be more than 50 centimetres from the curb.

Text extracted from the PDF for reference and may contain layout artefacts. The official PDF is authoritative.

Source: Driver's Guide: cars and light trucks, Spring 2026. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Alberta.