Parallel parking! Are they serious?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by tumblin dice, Apr 30, 2014.

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  1. tumblin dice

    tumblin dice Light Load Member

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    I am studying for my Florida CDL permit. In browsing through the handbook it says in section 13.2.5 - You may be asked to park in a parallel parking space that is on your right. I attended a driver training school albeit many years ago and I don't recall ever being instructed on parallel parking on the driver's side much less the passenger's side. We learned to back a 100' alley and a 90 degree dock. In the years that I drove I never encountered a situation in which I ever needed to parallel park. I can't imagine parallel parking a rig on my blindside without an experienced spotter. Are they for real? Do they teach these skills in schools now?
     
    tumblin dice, Apr 30, 2014
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  2. KF7WTV

    KF7WTV Medium Load Member

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    My school taught it (2012) but I've found it to be as useless a skill as they come. Don't think I could do it now, without either a skilled spotter, or about an hour on my own...
     
    KF7WTV, May 1, 2014
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  3. Y2K

    Y2K Road Train Member

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    I've had to do it to get a parking spot in the Pilot at Tumwater,WA.
     
    Y2K, May 1, 2014
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  4. Blacktop Junkie

    Blacktop Junkie Light Load Member

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    Yeah try going to a truck stop or rest area late at night. You'll be double parking so much you'll think you're in New York City.
     
    Blacktop Junkie, May 1, 2014
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  5. Schism

    Schism Light Load Member

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    State of NH requires straight back...offset left or right ...and either 90 degree alley back or parallel driver/pass.
    State Trooper does the yard skills and road tests and has the option of selecting the 3rd manuever himself
    or letting the potential driver hang himself with his own choice.

    Additionally ....State Of nh requires the entire tractor trailer in the parallel park . Some states it's just the trailer.
     
    Schism, May 1, 2014
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  6. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    I was just about to say that there are quite a few rest areas that have parallel parking...Texas and Nebraska come to mind right now. Parallel parking is not difficult to do.
     
    TripleSix, May 1, 2014
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  7. not4hire

    not4hire Road Train Member

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    I parallel park my rig quite often.
     
    not4hire, May 1, 2014
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  8. ‘Olhand

    ‘Olhand Cantankerous Crusty

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    Don't know what's on test--never took one---BUT learn how--bet I do it 3-5x a week...kinda like blindsidin--there r times you're not gonna have any other Choice--so learn it practice it--so when ya gotta do it--it ain't no big deal
    Just my $.02
     
    ‘Olhand, May 1, 2014
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  9. tumblin dice

    tumblin dice Light Load Member

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    Well I can see parallel parking if you have a straight shot in...no problem but backing in from your blind side? I don't know...especially at night!
     
    tumblin dice, May 1, 2014
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  10. tow614

    tow614 Road Train Member

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    My school taught it in 2002 and tennessee does it on exam... I do it a couple times a week... no big deal..

    your bio says you have been a trucker for 5 years... why are you taking an exam now
     
    tow614, May 1, 2014
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