Once correctly parked, your car is 5 to 8 inches from the curb, although in some states, 12 to 18 inches are allowed. You may live in a place where you never need to parallel park, so don't skip other important aspects of driver such as merging onto a highway.
- Drivers License Parallel Parking Dimensions
- Drivers Test Parallel Parking Dimensions
- Driver's Test Parallel Parking Requirements
- Road Test Parallel Parking Dimensions Michigan
- Ga Drivers Test Parallel Parking Dimensions
- Pa Drivers Test Parallel Parking Dimensions
One bummer about living here is I don't get to show off my madd parallel parking skillz. I took a private driver's ed course for the insurance discount when I was 15. The dude made me parallel park repeatedly until I could do it flawlessly (and quickly) because I guess in his mind sending perfect parkers out into the world was the lord's work. LEARN HOW TO PARALLEL PARK WITH CONES - watch the video. PASS YOUR ROAD TEST FIRST TIME CHECKLIST: SU.
So, when taking the CDL skills test, how do you know the layout of the course? That is exactly what we are going to cover in this article.
The CDL skills test consists of the following:
- Straight Line Backing
- Offset backing either Left or Right
- Parallel Parking either Drivers side or Conventional
- Alley Dock or 90 degree backing
You may not be tested on all these maneuvers, but instead you may be tested on just a few. In addition, Pre-Trip Inspections are also tested. Look for that article to come out soon.
We do have an in depth article on the CDL skills backing tests, with video explanations. To access that page go here
What follows is a layout of the cones and a description taken directly from one State’s CDL handbook. As always download a copy and compare to ensure you are following your State’s testing protocol. Most of the State’s do now have it pretty standardized so it shouldn’t vary greatly.
If you need to obtain a copy of your State CDL handbook we have you covered. Go here to obtain your FREE instantly downloadable copy.
CDL Straight Line Backing – Cone Dimensions
Official guidance from the CDL manual:
You may be asked to back your vehicle in a straight line between two rows of cones without touching or crossing over the exercise boundaries.
So the dimensions of this course are 100 feet long by 12 feet wide.
CDL Offset Backing – Cone Dimensions
From the CDL manual:
Offset Back Right – You may be asked to back into a space that is to the right rear of your vehicle. You will drive straight forward the outer boundary. From that position, you must back the vehicle into the opposite lane until the front of your vehicle has passed the first set of cones without striking boundary lines or cones.
Offset Back Left – You may be asked to back into a space that is to the left rear of your vehicle. You will drive straight forward the outer boundary. From that position, you must back the vehicle into the opposite lane until the front of your vehicle has passed the first set of cones without striking boundary lines or cones
Depending on the Class of CDL license you are testing for:
The length of the forward boundary for a Class A license is 140 feet from the rear set of cones. For a Class B license it is 90 feet.
In addition, the two lanes are 12 foot wide, with the lane being backed into 40 feet deep.
CDL Parallel Parking Dimensions
Drivers License Parallel Parking Dimensions
The CDL Manual advises:
Parallel Park (Driver’s Side) - You may be asked to park in a parallel parking space that is on your left. You are to drive past the entrance to the parallel parking space with your vehicle parallel to the parking area; and back into the space without crossing front, side or rear boundaries marked by cones. You are required to get your entire vehicle completely into the space.
Parallel Park (Conventional) - You may be asked to park in a parallel parking space that is on your right. You are to drive past the entrance to the parallel parking space with your vehicle parallel to the parking area; and back into the space without crossing front, side or rear boundaries marked by cones. You are required to get your entire vehicle completely into the space.
As you can see the dimensions of the box required to put the vehicle into are 12 foot wide by a length that is 15 feet longer than the vehicle (Applies to Class A and Class B).
CDL Alley Dock
Guidance from the CDL manual:
You may be asked to sight-side back your vehicle into an alley. You will drive past the alley and position your vehicle parallel to the outer boundary. From that position, back into the alley bringing the rear of your vehicle within three feet of the rear of the alley without touching boundary lines or cones. Your vehicle must be straight within the alley/lane when completed.
The ‘Dock’ space where you will end up is measured as 12 foot wide by 40 foot long. There is an additional spacing of 70 feet forward of this boundary to the outer boundary.
Summary
Knowing the placement of the cones will assist you in getting comfortable with the tasks required to complete your CDL skills testing. Don’t forget that we offer a further in depth article with videos that you can check out.
Want the best resource to pass your CDL exam? Go here:
Also don’t forget to be sure to pick up our FREE guides on:
6 Hacks for boosting pay as a new Truck Driver
Avoiding the 11 biggest mistakes before starting CDL School
And our Cheat sheet checklist of what to ask trucking company recruiters
Drivers Test Parallel Parking Dimensions
For parallel parking, set cones 25 feet apart and 7 feet away from the curb. Place one cone in front of the car and two behind. The most effective way to master parallel parking is to practice. Many behind-the-wheel driving tests use cones. To begin, set up the cones in a deserted lot or very quiet. Woman can't parallel park in a space the size of Nebraska. Minnesota DMV Eagan Road Test. Tightest parallel parking record beaten at new Mini launch. The best thing you can do to prepare is to practice your 90-degree back-up parking (using a nine-feet wide parking space) and parallel parking (using cones or dividers 25 feet apart). Practice it frequently leading up to the test until you're dead bored with it.
02-08-2011, 07:46 AM |
Yes. Parallel parking is part of the Minnesota drivers test (or at least it was not too long ago). I'd recommend you learn how to do it. It's a useful life skill, like learning how to use a spoon or open a jar. I taught my (50 year old) partner how to parallel park a couple years ago; she was from the suburbs and dreadfully afraid of parallel parking, but now she does it in town without even thinking about it. Here's an easy way to parallel park: - drive alongside the car in front of the space you wish to park in, until you are right across from the parked vehicle's drivers seat, - Put your car into reverse, slowly back up straight until your rear wheel is across from the next car's back bumper, - turn hard with your steering wheel (swinging the front wheels out into traffic) while looking into your rear view mirror at the the vehicle behind your parking spot, - When you see the curb side headlight of that vehicle in your (inside rear view) mirror, straighten your steering wheel, continuing to back up, - when your front fender passes by the bumper of the car in front of you, turn your wheel hard to swing the front of your car into the parking spot. You'll want to practice this move a few times on a low traffic street so as not to get distracted by other moving cars. After a few times over, making adjustments for your car and driving style, you'll have it down. Problem solved! |
Texas Drivers Test Parallel Parking
Driver's Test Parallel Parking Requirements
Road Test Parallel Parking Dimensions Michigan
Taking my drivers test tomorrow in Chaska!
Does anyone have any tips or tricks? I'm super nervous as this will be my first time taking the test. I also have a few questions for Minnesota drivers.
Do you have to take the knowledge test again?
How big were the spaces for parallel parking and 90 degree backs?
Do you have to do parallel parking and 90 degree backs in one smooth motion or are you allowed to correct yourself?
Is there anything else 'special' you have to do besides parallel parking, 90 degree backs, and 3 points?
Minnesota Parallel Parking Dimensions
Ga Drivers Test Parallel Parking Dimensions
edit: I'm not from out of state or previously licensed. I'm a Minnesota resident and turned 16 about a month ago. I passed the knowledge test first try about 9 months ago to get my permit.
Pa Drivers Test Parallel Parking Dimensions
2nd edit: Thanks to everyone for the advice! I passed! I guess I'll see you all on the roads :)