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How-to guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
How to Parallel Park, Step by Step
Parallel parking is mostly about setup and a slow, steady reverse. Here are the five steps the Indiana BMV Driver's Manual teaches, how to turn your wheels on a hill, how to reverse safely, and the places where Indiana drivers may not park.
5 stepsin the BMV's parallel parking procedure
2 feetminimum gap from the car in front as you line up (BMV)
45 degreesthe angle to reverse into before straightening out (BMV)
15 feetminimum distance from a fire hydrant when parking (BMV)
The short answer
Signal, pull up parallel to the car in front of the space with at least two feet between you and your rear bumpers lined up, then reverse slowly. Turn sharply right when your front is even with the other car's front door, back in to a 45-degree angle, turn sharply left as your front clears its rear bumper, then straighten your wheels and pull forward.
How to parallel park in five steps
The BMV manual's procedure for parking in an empty space with vehicles parked in front of it and behind it:
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Signal | Signal your intention to park. |
| 2. Line up | Position your vehicle parallel with the vehicle parked in front of the empty space, at least two feet from it, with your rear bumper aligned with its rear bumper. |
| 3. Reverse and turn right | Reverse slowly until the front of your vehicle is even with the front door of the parked car. Turn the wheel sharply to the right and reverse slowly until your vehicle is at a 45-degree angle. |
| 4. Turn left | When the front of your vehicle passes the rear of the parked car, turn the steering wheel to the left sharply, then gradually, while backing into the space. |
| 5. Straighten | Straighten your wheels and pull forward in the space. |
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation (Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles), read November 3, 2026.
Parking on a hill
The BMV manual says which way to turn your wheels:
Facing downhill
Turn your vehicle's wheels toward the curb.
Facing uphill
Turn your vehicle's wheels away from the curb.
No curb
Turn your vehicle's wheels away from the street.
Pulling out
Use your turn signal when entering traffic from a parking space.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation, read November 3, 2026.
Reversing safely
The BMV manual says reversing is more difficult than driving forward because your field of vision is blocked by the vehicle itself, and it is harder to control your speed and direction.
To reverse, turn your body to the right to look through the back window, and never use only the rearview mirror. Go slowly, watching carefully in all directions, and never back into an intersection to turn around. When backing out of a parking place, look in both directions and double-check for cars and pedestrians.
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation, read November 3, 2026.
Where you cannot park
The BMV manual lists these common areas where parking is prohibited:
| Area | Rule |
|---|---|
| Highways | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| Intersections and crosswalks | Prohibited within intersections or on pedestrian crosswalks |
| Sidewalks and driveways | Prohibited on sidewalks or in front of any driveway |
| Fire hydrants and fire lanes | Prohibited within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or in fire lanes |
| Bridges and elevated structures | Prohibited on bridges or other elevated structures, such as on a highway or a tunnel |
| Yellow curbs | Prohibited adjacent to yellow curbs |
| Double parking | Prohibited beside another parked vehicle |
| Accessible parking | Spots reserved for those with disabilities are prohibited without a valid parking placard, and the diagonally striped area next to an accessible space is prohibited even with one |
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation, read November 3, 2026.
Keep your vehicle ready for the road
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 3, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Parallel parking FAQ
How far from the car in front should I start parallel parking?
The Indiana BMV Driver's Manual says to position your vehicle parallel with the vehicle parked in front of the empty space, keep at least two feet from it, and align your rear bumper with that vehicle's rear bumper.
When do I turn the steering wheel when parallel parking?
Reverse slowly until the front of your vehicle is even with the front door of the parked car, then turn the wheel sharply to the right and keep reversing slowly until your vehicle is at about a 45-degree angle. When the front of your vehicle passes the rear of the parked car, turn the wheel sharply to the left, then gradually, as you back into the space.
Which way do I turn my wheels when parking on a hill?
Facing downhill, turn your wheels toward the curb. Facing uphill, turn your wheels away from the curb. If there is no curb, turn your wheels away from the street, according to the BMV manual.
Should I use only my mirror when reversing?
No. The BMV manual says to turn your body to the right to look through the back window and never use only the rearview mirror for reversing. Go slowly and watch carefully in all directions.
Do I need to signal when leaving a parking space?
Yes. The BMV manual says to use your turn signal when entering traffic from a parking space and to look in both directions and double-check for cars and pedestrians when backing out.
How close to a fire hydrant can I park in Indiana?
Not within 15 feet. The BMV manual lists parking within 15 feet of a fire hydrant or in fire lanes among the common prohibited parking areas.
What does The Works at Michigan City Ford include?
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Book a routine checkup
Book The Works, which includes a brake inspection, tire rotation and pressure check, and battery test, at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Parking and reversing guidance is from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Driver's Manual, read November 3, 2026. Laws change; this page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation (parking and reversing: parallel parking, reversing, illegal parking areas, handicap accessible parking), Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, PDF modified July 7, 2026, read November 3, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 3, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 3, 2026