You're driving down a busy street and finally spot an open space between two cars. Your heart skips a beat — parallel parking. For many drivers, this is the most nerve-wracking part of city driving.

The good news? With the right steps and a little practice, parallel parking can become just another easy maneuver, no sweat or panicked steering required.

Pick the Right Spot

Step one is finding a space that actually fits your car. Look for a spot that's at least one and a half times your car's length — more space is always better if you can get it. A space that's too small will have you cranking the wheel back and forth endlessly and stressing out everyone behind you.

Set Up for Success

Pull up alongside the car in front of the empty space. Your rear bumper should line up with their rear bumper, and you should leave about two feet between the two cars. This distance gives you room to swing your back end in without clipping mirrors. Make sure your wheels are straight before you start.

Angle In Slowly

This is the part that intimidates most people, but it's all about taking it step by step.

1. Turn your steering wheel all the way toward the curb.

2. Start backing up slowly, letting your car move into the space at an angle.

3. Keep going until your car forms about a 45-degree angle with the curb — your rear tire should be near the curb, and your front bumper should have just passed the back bumper of the car ahead.

Going slow here is key. If you overshoot the angle, it's harder to correct later.

Straighten and Slide In

Once you hit that 45-degree angle, straighten your steering wheel and continue reversing. This will pull your car deeper into the space without swinging the front end too far. Watch your mirrors carefully to make sure you don't get too close to the car behind you.

Finish with a Turn

When your front bumper clears the car ahead, turn the steering wheel sharply away from the curb and reverse a little more. This tucks the front of your car neatly into the space. Stop when you're parallel with the curb and centered between the two cars.

Fine-Tune Your Position

Even experienced drivers sometimes end up too far from the curb or too close to one car. That's okay — just pull forward slowly while turning the wheel slightly toward the curb, then back up straight. A couple of small adjustments can make your parking job look perfect.

Stay Calm Under Pressure

Parallel parking is stressful mostly because there are usually cars waiting behind you. The trick is not to rush. Focus on your mirrors, breathe, and remember that most drivers have been in the exact same situation. Rushing often leads to crooked parking or scraped wheels.

Practice Until It Feels Natural

Find an empty street or parking lot with plenty of space and set up cones to mimic parked cars. Practice pulling into and out of spaces again and again. The more you repeat it, the more your brain and hands will remember the motions. Soon, you'll be able to parallel park smoothly without overthinking every step.

Extra Tips for Success

1. Always use your turn signal to let other drivers know what you're doing.

2. Adjust your mirrors slightly downward when practicing so you can see the curb better.

3. Don't be afraid to pull out and start over if your angle feels wrong — that's better than scraping your rims.

4. If parking on a hill, turn your wheels toward the curb when finished and set the parking brake.

Parallel parking isn't about impressing anyone — it's about getting your car safely into a tight space. When you break it down into steps, keep calm, and give yourself time to practice, it becomes second nature. The next time you spot that perfect space downtown, you might even feel a little excited to show off your new skill.