How do you not hit the curb when up/down hill parking?

Question

The last time I took my driving test I failed because I climbed the curb. Its only happened on the test yet I don't know how to not do it if that makes sense

Fireguy17 · Accepted Answer

as you get older and have more experience you just kind of know.
Practice with the car/vee hickle that you plan to use and park it next to a curb.
Start visualizing your site lines, look for visual clues.
What part of the car lines up with the curb.
Turn your mirrors down a bit.
Remember when you turn the rear wheels turn short than the front.
So, when you round a corner, if you are just missing the curb with your front tires, you will hit them with the rear tires.
Go in a parking lot and turn sharply, then get out of the car while it is parked in the turning position and see how much shorter your rear tires are turning.
In a car it might be around 6ish inches.
not a lot, but just enough if you are close to begin with.
That is not saying you need to take a corner like a semi-truck, you will fail for sure, but just allow for that.
An empty parking lot that has multiple corners with curbs are a great place to practice when they are empty.
Go early in the morning, or late in the day when they are closed so you don't have to worry about traffic.
get some cones and set up some corners and drive through them both ways, left and right.
A few hours of that you will be doing taking corners like a pro.
Also hitting curbs are hard on a vehicle, it happens sometimes, but curb rash on an alloy wheel costs about $300 to have taken care of.
Ask me how I know that.
It happens.
FYI the rear tire on a standard size school bus turn 3 feet shorter than the front tires.
Also, cars do not go backwards in the same path that they go forwards.
Practice makes perfect so just be patient, you will get it.

AviatorTom · Accepted Answer

A few pointers about taking a driving test, commonly called a road test:

1. Take the test in a car in which you have practiced. Be completely familiar with teh car, and in particular, its size and where all the corners are.

2. When practicing parallel parking, learn to use a visual cue. When I learned to parallel park, for example, I would look back at the passenger-side corner of the rear window to keep the curb in that corner as I turned into the parking space. Your car may be different. Just try several times to develop a visual cue when backing and turning into the space. Also, after practicing parking, get out and see how close to the curb you are. keep practicing until you're about 6 inches from the curb, with the car parallel to the curb.

Advisor Smith · Accepted Answer

When parking on a hill, ensure you approach slowly and at a slight angle. Align your side mirror with the curb as a reference point. Use your car's solid frame lines or door handles as a guide, ensuring they align parallel to the curb. Practice makes perfect, so do this repeatedly in a safe environment to improve your spatial awareness. Remember, it’s about subtle adjustments and keeping a calm focus. You’ll gain confidence with more practice.

Realistic07 · Answer

You have to use your passenger side view mirror to observe down at where your rear tire is on your passenger side.

By doing this you can assess distance from the curb. Once you do that, you continue to reverse until your are near the front of the rear vehicle or in front of the end of the parking area then simply adjust forward & backwards using your gearshift making sharp turn adjustments while taking your time to mind your space eventually settling in your final parking position. Remember use your emergency break to secure your vehicle, and direct tires towards the curb if facing downhill and away from the curb if facing up hill.

It can be tricky, but a lot of times if you just take a breath and go through the motion while paying attention, you’re good. Remember traffic has to either go around you or wait for you it’s not your responsibility while parking to care about how long it is taking you to park as long as you do so within reason/ safety which is about a minute. In reality, that’s a pretty long time so it’s OK to take a breath. If traffic is honking, let them honk. It’s not your problem as long as you’re being safe and within that one minute mark.

Nevertheless, I hope my answer has been helpful and giving you helpful tips to work through the issues.

ohsheeT · Answer

Hand eye coordination. And instead of trying to park next to it give yourself 6 to 8 inches . .. and when you are going to park on a street with a curb. You can adjust your mirror on passenger side to go down so you can see the curb. Allow you self to be 6 to 8" away from it. You don't need to be right next to it

TonyV · Answer

Parallel park. Also I don't know what they are teaching you but you are suppose to park with your tires touching the curb on hills.
Uphill street with a curb you turn your wheels to the center line so if the car rolls back the tire hits and downhill with a curb you turn towards the curb. You NEVER park with the wheels straight on a hill.

Do whatever they want so you can pass and get the class overwith, but your driving teacher sounds like a fucking dumbass.

razelove · Answer

Use the emergency brake if you want to be sure. It is also a good habit if you ever drive a stick shift. You don't want your car to roll away if you don't use the brake. If it's rolling more than a couple inches than your transmission is going out girl.

Just practice it. You'll get better.

Med_guy1978 · Answer

Practice makes perfect but if you haven't got the grasp of it yet it means your instructor hasn't identified your way of understanding. You need to visualise and understand the concept of parallel parking and car manoeuvring.
Possibly change your instructor or get your father to take you out to a empty parking lot or some private land and practice. Be careful if you are on a parking lot, you might need learner driver insurance.

LiamJHayden · Answer

It take a bit of practice and even an experienced driver can have an issue in a completely different vehicle than the one to which he or she is accustomed.

Staximus · Answer

If you're so worried the dumb driving test, you obviously haven't been practicing driving enough.

Jamie05rhs · Answer

I was taught to rest the wheels against the curb on purpose. It helps keep the vehicle from rolling away.

QuietRunner · Answer

it does takes practice use the mirror

Wise4myage · Answer

Its fine to hit the curbs, but practice makes perfect.

Bklynbadboy12 · Answer

Use your mirrors and remember you have to be 6 to 12 inches from the curbs

shortster · Answer

Ride the brake so that you tap the curb; which is what you want to do.

Jmmmfi4 · Answer

JUST RELAX TAKE YOUR TIME & YOU'LL BE FINE YOU GOT THIS

noohair · Answer

Let me know when you pass, good luck.

How do you not hit the curb when up/down hill parking?

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