In an era of self-parking cars, 360-degree cameras, and parking sensors that beep with increasing urgency, the classic parallel park might seem like an outdated skill. Many new drivers wonder why, with all this technology available in new cars, they still need to master this tricky maneuver for their ICBC road test. The truth is, the parallel park remains a cornerstone of the class 7 and class 5 licensing exams for a very practical reason: it’s a comprehensive test of a driver's most important skills.
An ICBC examiner doesn't ask you to parallel park just to see if you can fit a car into a tight space. They use it as an efficient way to observe your control, spatial awareness, and observation habits all at once. It reveals how you handle a vehicle at low speeds, how you judge distances, and whether you maintain a constant awareness of your surroundings. In short, it shows them if you have the foundational skills to be a safe, competent driver in everyday situations.
Why ICBC Still Tests Parallel Parking
The skills required to parallel park successfully are the same skills you use every day on the road. For an ICBC examiner, watching a new driver perform this manoeuvre provides a clear window into their overall driving competence. It's less about the final position of the car and more about the safety and control demonstrated throughout the process.
Here are the core competencies an examiner is evaluating:
Slow-Speed Vehicle Control: Driving is not always about moving forward at 50 km/h. Much of your time behind the wheel, especially in urban or residential areas, is spent in low-speed situations. Parallel parking requires precise control of the accelerator and brake. Can you move the vehicle backward slowly and smoothly without lurching? Can you make minor adjustments without overcorrecting? This demonstrates a level of finesse and understanding of the vehicle that is important for safety in parking lots, drive-thrus, and heavy traffic.
Spatial Awareness: Modern technology like backup cameras is a fantastic aid, but it isn't a substitute for genuine spatial awareness. Examiners need to see that you can accurately judge the dimensions of your vehicle and its position relative to other objects. When you parallel park, you’re constantly judging your distance from the curb and the vehicles in front of and behind you. This ability to mentally map your surroundings is a key indicator of a safe driver who can navigate tight spaces and merge into traffic confidently.
Observation Skills: This is perhaps the most significant element being tested. A safe parallel park involves a continuous cycle of observation. Examiners are watching to see if you are performing 360-degree checks by using mirrors, shoulder-checks, and turning and looking directly out of your rear window. Forgetting to check for pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles before and during the manoeuvre is a common reason for drivers to accumulate faults on their road test. Demonstrating consistent observation shows the examiner that your safety habits are well-ingrained.
Where Students Typically Struggle
As driving instructors, we know the parallel park can be a source of anxiety. From our experience in the passenger seat, the most common errors aren't dramatic; they are small lapses in focus that happen when a driver feels overwhelmed. For instance, a student might misjudge their initial setup, starting too far from the other vehicle, which can throw off the entire park and lead to a scramble to correct their angle.
We also see drivers become so hyper-focused on their mirrors and the final position of the vehicle—trying to avoid that dreaded scraping sound of a rim against concrete. It's important to remember that there is no special consideration for completing the maneuver quickly, and even being perfectly straight is less important than the process itself. The primary thing the examiner is looking for is consistent observation. These moments of tunnel vision, where a driver forgets a shoulder check just as another car or a cyclist approaches, are what typically lead to faults on a road test—not a slightly angled finish.
Tips to Pass This Section with Confidence
The key to a successful parallel park is not luck; it's following a consistent, proven method. By breaking the maneuver down into a series of simple steps and using clear visual cues, you can build a reliable routine. This frees you up to focus on what's most important: smooth control and consistent observation.
Step 1: The Setup
Check your mirrors and signal right as you approach the space. Pull up alongside the vehicle you will be parking behind, keeping about one metre of space between your vehicles. Stop when your rear bumper is aligned with that vehicle’s rear bumper.
Step 2: 360-Degree Check and First Turn
Shift into reverse. Before moving, perform a full 360-degree check of your surroundings, looking over both shoulders and in all your mirrors. When it is safe, start backing up slowly while looking out your rear window. Immediately begin turning your steering wheel sharply to the right.
Step 3: Find Your Angle
Continue reversing with the wheel turned right until your vehicle is at approximately a 45-degree angle to the curb. A good reference point here is when your front door or passenger-side mirror passes the rear bumper of the car beside you.
Step 4: Straighten and Continue Back
Once you’ve reached that 45-degree angle, straighten your steering wheel and continue to back up in a straight line.
Step 5: Second Turn
Keep backing up until your front bumper is clear of the rear bumper of the car in front of you. Once it’s clear, turn your steering wheel sharply to the left. Continue backing slowly, allowing the front of your vehicle to swing into the space.
Step 6: Check Your Position
As you back in, use your passenger-side mirror to monitor your distance from the curb. You are aiming to be within 30 centimetres. Stop the vehicle before you make contact with the car parked behind you.
Step 7: Centre the Vehicle
Shift into drive. Move forward slowly while straightening your steering wheel. Stop once you are centred in the space between the two vehicles, leaving room for both to exit.
Local Practice Zones: Best Places to Train
Practicing in the right environment is key to building confidence. You want to find low-traffic areas with real-world parking spaces that mimic what you might find on your road test. For drivers across the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, here are a few recommended spots to get calm, quality practice.
Burnaby & Coquitlam
The residential streets around Burnaby Lake or the quieter areas of Capitol Hill offer excellent opportunities with less traffic. In Coquitlam, the neighbourhoods around Mundy Park provide a good mix of street parking scenarios without the pressure of a busy downtown core.
Surrey
Beyond the busier roads, the residential areas in Fleetwood or Cloverdale are great for practicing. The grid layout of the streets in these areas often provides plenty of parked cars to practice with, giving you a realistic feel for spacing and judgment.
Langley
The quiet, wide residential streets in Walnut Grove remain one of the best areas to practice. The community is designed with ample street parking, allowing you to repeat the maneuver calmly. Another good strategy is to practice near the Langley ICBC driver licensing office on a Sunday or after hours to become more comfortable with the test environment itself.
Abbotsford
The historic downtown area of Abbotsford (on a quiet weekday morning or a Sunday) has clearly marked parallel parking spots. For an even lower-stress environment, the residential streets east of McMillan Road offer plenty of space and minimal traffic, allowing you to focus on the steps until they feel automatic.
Chilliwack
In Chilliwack, the residential neighbourhoods around Sardis Park are ideal. The streets are generally wide and traffic is light, especially on weekends. This gives you the space and time to practice the full maneuver from start to finish without feeling rushed.
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Mastering the parallel park isn't just about passing a test; it’s about proving you have the fundamental skills to be a safe, aware, and controlled driver. It demonstrates that you can handle your vehicle with precision in various real-world situations. Instead of viewing it as a hurdle, think of it as a final confirmation that you are truly ready to drive independently. If you're still feeling unsure, a dedicated lesson focused on parking skills can provide the targeted practice and instructor feedback needed to build confidence before your ICBC test.
For more driving advice, be sure to read our other helpful articles, including Parking Types & When to Use Them and 4 Tips for New Drivers.