When you have to parallel park the car, do you have to do it on the first try? Meaning, if you are too far from the curb, can you sort of drive forward, and back up again. Or is it all just in one motion? I understand that once you hit the curb, you fail, but let's say you're too far from the curb, what happens then? Do they just take off a couple of points?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Joker @ Aug 14 2008, 04:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>When you have to parallel park the car, do you have to do it on the first try? Meaning, if you are too far from the curb, can you sort of drive forward, and back up again. Or is it all just in one motion? I understand that once you hit the curb, you fail, but let's say you're too far from the curb, what happens then? Do they just take off a couple of points?</div> For Me (In Canada, St. Catherines DMV) I apparently parked too far away from the curb but i eventually passed, you should be fine if your too far away, a few points but nothing huge. I hope not.
I'm taking the test next Wednesday and I'm nervous as hell. I'm practicing, but I just feel like I'm going to screw up the parking during the test. Jeez, why the **** is it an automatic failure if you hit the curb?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Joker @ Aug 14 2008, 04:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm taking the test next Wednesday and I'm nervous as hell. I'm practicing, but I just feel like I'm going to screw up the parking during the test. Jeez, why the **** is it an automatic failure if you hit the curb?</div> People walk on sidewalks, and if you jump the curb, you could end up killing someone if you're not careful. That's why. And I honestly don't remember what happens if you're too far away. I did my parallel fine and once the test was over, I forgot all the rules for the test.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Joker @ Aug 14 2008, 03:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm taking the test next Wednesday and I'm nervous as hell. I'm practicing, but I just feel like I'm going to screw up the parking during the test. Jeez, why the **** is it an automatic failure if you hit the curb?</div> don't think. just do it all in one motion. The key is just to line up your car in the right place before you start.
When you're backing up, and you're foot isn't on the gas, there's no way you will jump the curb (unless it's REALLY small). I'm talking about just touching the curb with the back wheel. Why would that be an automatic failure?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JCB @ Aug 14 2008, 04:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Joker @ Aug 14 2008, 04:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I'm taking the test next Wednesday and I'm nervous as hell. I'm practicing, but I just feel like I'm going to screw up the parking during the test. Jeez, why the **** is it an automatic failure if you hit the curb?</div> People walk on sidewalks, and if you jump the curb, you could end up killing someone if you're not careful. That's why. And I honestly don't remember what happens if you're too far away. I did my parallel fine and once the test was over, I forgot all the rules for the test. </div> Same here. I did my parallel fine twice. I failed the first time because I didn't see a stop sign. Make sure you don't get too nervous, and be very aware of your surroundings - that includes stoplights, pedestrians, other cars, all kinds of signs (yield, stop, slow, MPH, no right on red). Don't be too hesitant, but also be careful.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Joker @ Aug 14 2008, 04:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>When you're backing up, and you're foot isn't on the gas, there's no way you will jump the curb (unless it's REALLY small). I'm talking about just touching the curb with the back wheel. Why would that be an automatic failure?</div> Well, if you hit anything, it's an automatic failure. The curb might not be nearly as bad as hitting another car, but you still hit something. I guess it demonstrates a lack of control of the vehicle, so to speak. If you can't avoid hitting a curb, how will you avoid hitting the car behind you (or in front of you)? And you never know whether the car will jump the curb or not. Better to be safe than sorry.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (huevonkiller @ Aug 14 2008, 03:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Heh, I didn't have to do this in MIA. :]</div> I don't remember having to parallel park on the CA drivers test either. Just regular parking IIRC. I remember though my friends all told me to just park hella far off the curb because hitting it is an automatic fail but if you're too far at worst you just get a point or two deducted (you need a lot of point deductions to fail). I'm a monster parallel parker now though. Had to do it every day at school because I parked on the street with like 50 other cars. Also I live on a hill and the curb in front of our house always has cars so literally every day I do a parallel park going uphill on a curving street and its like 2 inches away from the curb every time. Takes a while to learn how to do it well but once you get it its easy. My dad is an insane parallel parker though. He grew up in NJ, went to school in Manhattan and lived in NJ/NY, Philadelphia, and SF for half his life. Dude can parallel park so there's like 4 inches on either side of his SUV.
Oh and BTW Joker make sure at every red light look long and hard for "no turn on red" signs. They try to fool you with these but if you take it really slow and look for them you'll see em. I believe if you turn on one of these its an auto fail. I'm sure you have friends who've taken it so ask them what to expect. Also I went with my dad and drove around the DMV area a few times so I knew the area well and I think that helped.
Better to leave a lot of space, it won't hurt you much as long as you're reasonably close to the curb. He harder part is backing up in a straight line. Practice that, becuase you will never have to do it in real life.
I don't mind having points deducted for parking too far from the curb. Better than an automatic failure.
I've been aiming to park nice and close to the curb, but if the rules state I have to be 6-12 inches from the curb...then that solves my problem. I'll do that during the test and won't worry about hitting the curb.
I hit the curb the first time I took the test and failed immediately. The second time, I was probably 3 feet away from the curb, but I still got a 100.
