Parking is not just a driving technique. It is an essential skill that helps maintain smooth traffic flow and ensure road safety. Mastering parking techniques is necessary to maintain road safety. When drivers know how to park properly, we can avoid chaos and disorder on the road and reduce the chances of accidents. Hence, new drivers must understand the different types of parking and master these parking techniques. However, we need good driving instructors who can teach the students all the parking techniques and instill safe driving habits. Driving instructor course in Australia aim to equip instructors with the necessary skills to make driving lessons easy, accessible, enjoyable, and an effective tool for comprehensive driver education. Let us learn the main types of parking and discuss some tips to make teaching these parking techniques easier.
What are the Main Types of Parking?
Parking can be broadly divided into three main types. These types are:
- Parallel Parking:
Parallel parking is a common technique in city streets which involves parking the car parallel to the curb between two cars. It is a simple and easy parking technique if the driver knows when to turn, judge distances, and maneuver the vehicle in tight spaces. Most parking lots in the world use this type of parking to manage the parking of more cars in a small place in an orderly manner.
- Perpendicular Parking:
One of the most common techniques used in parking lots, perpendicular parking involves parking the vehicle at a right angle to the curb. Using this parking technique leaves enough space for the car’s doors to be accessed easily compared to parallel parking. It also facilitates efficient use of the parking space.
- Angle Parking:
Another common parking technique, angle parking involves parking the car at an angle to the curb, usually 45 degrees. This technique gives you better visibility when you try to pull out, making it easier to enter or exit the parking space. Angle parking is also useful in maintaining order and system in the area while parking.
Essential Tips for Parking Techniques
For new drivers, parking can be a tough challenge demanding a high level of focus, good judgment, driving skills, and vehicle control. Driving instructors should focus on developing these traits in their students along with teaching them parking skills. Here are some important pointers to help new drivers to hone their parking skills:
- Approach Cautiously:
Before parking, you must first select a suitable spot for your car. When approaching a parking space, you must signal other drivers that you’re about to park.
- Tips for Parallel Parking:
For parallel parking, you must first align your car with the one ahead and leave some space for the turn. Turn sharply and reverse slowly into the space. Straighten and adjust your vehicle’s position as needed. Reversing in a rush can be very risky, especially for new drivers. So, when you’re reversing for parallel parking, make a sharp turn and reverse slowly.
- Tips for Perpendicular and Angle Parking:
Approach the parking spot slowly and signal your intention. Also, make sure to align your vehicle straight with the parking space or with the neighboring cars. When reversing into the spot, make a sharp turn and then reverse slowly and gradually. Try to park the vehicle in the center of the space.
Tips to Exit Safely
When leaving the parking lot, it’s important to pay attention and avoid hitting other cars in the process. Driving instructor courses also point out the importance of teaching proper exit along with parking skills. Here are some tips for a safe exit:
Check Your Mirrors:
Before leaving, check your mirrors to make sure no other cars or pedestrians are passing your vehicle. Also, adjust your mirrors for blindspots so that you don’t accidentally bump into anyone while turning.
Maneuver Cautiously:
Exit slowly and watch for pedestrians or cars. Exiting the parking lot can be tricky. When making a turn or maneuvering the vehicle, go slowly and cautiously. Keep an eye out for others exiting or pedestrians crossing behind you.
Teaching Tips
Teaching different parking skills to the new drivers is a must to maintain order and system on the road. Driving instructors can always learn new teaching methods by joining driving instructor courses or training services. However, what’s important is how the instructors utilize this knowledge to improve their lessons:
Practice in Different Places:
As instructors, you should also strive to make your lessons enjoyable and efficient. Plus, parking is a complex skill that involves more than mere imitation of techniques. It requires the students to have focus, judgment, presence of mind, and road awareness. Hence, to make the lessons more challenging you should practice parking in different places. This will also expose the students to different scenarios for parking and help them develop their skills.
Use Visual Aids:
Instructors should also make use of visual aids to teach driving nuances and techniques to their students. Stimulating the mind through visuals can help put your point across in a better way. It can also have a lasting impression on the student, making them understand and remember the lesson better than before.
Practice and Patience:
Mastering parking is not a day job. You need a lot of practice and constant hard work before you can claim to know parking properly. Hence, instructors need to teach students to be patient and focused.
Conclusion
Other than the parking techniques, you should also pay close attention to parking rules and regulations, permit requirements, no-parking zones, etc. All these factors also affect your parking technique. Driving instructor courses teach instructors to understand the importance of developing your senses along with honing your driving skills. Driving schools like the Academy of Road Safety also offer courses like TLI41222 – Certificate IV in Motor Vehicle Driver Training. Such courses ensure that instructors are provided with up-to-date industry knowledge and skill sets that will help them become successful Driving Instructors.
