Parallel parking

I did manage to learn it during class, and even pass it in the CA test.

But, I've never used it since.

And after over 2 years, I doubt I could run through the exact process.
I seem to remember it was to pull about 4-5 feet in front of the cone and then crank the wheel all the way to the left and back until you just see your landing gear in the right mirror, then all the way right and back in.
And that left you with a straight trailer perfectly in the slot with your tractor at about a 90 degree angle (ready to unhook and pull out).

Probably most useful in some rest stops where you are parked all lined up.
But then, since you'll likely be parking on the left side, you'ld have to reverse the process.
And you couldn't leave your tractor at a 90 in that situation.

 

I can parallel park w/ my eyes closed using my toy truck, but I'm getting 1 out of 2 times in the real truck. I took my test last week and took a 20 pt for the bad parking job. I will take the test again this Wednesday.

In NY, we are not allowed to stop, goal, or any pull-ups; Just idle back w/out using brakes and/or clutch, and hope you get it in perfect.

Here's what my instructor says to do:

1- Turn the wheel 3/4 to the left.
2- Start backing, let it get your angle. (This only takes 1 sec or so)
3- Immediately turn to the right, then a little to the left, same as when you do straight backing.
4- Straight back, w/ your tractor perfectly lined up w/ the trailer until you get about 2 feet from the curb.
5- As soon as your back trailer tire is where you want it to be on the curb, steer HARD and fast to the right.
6- When you see the bottom corner of your trailer start to meet the grass or curb in your mirror, hard steer to the left.
7- Keep steering to the left until tractor and trailer are parallel to the curb
8- Straighten out the tractor.

Left, right, straight back, Hard RIGHT, Hard LEFT, straighten out.

Note: I can do this perfect each time w/ the instructor in the truck, but alone, different result.

Goodluck on your re-test. I hope I get mine as well. I was too nervous and messed up.

 

Seems like a thousand years ago now. I took your advice, but really, you have to get out there. Turns out there was nothing to be scared of. I learned that I actually enjoyed the challenging parts of the job. And ALWAYS, I found help from other experienced drivers who said, so many times, "We were all new at one time." It's great being on the road, meeting the best class of people ever. Screw the 1%. The 47% is my crowd anyway.