Before pulling into a perpendicular parking space, how much space should you have between you and the cars you will be parking next to?

• A. 3-4 feet
• B. 9-10 feet
• C. 7-8 feet
• D. 5-6 feet

Answer: (C)

When parking in a perpendicular stall, you need enough space between your car and the neighboring cars to maneuver in and to open doors without touching them. About seven to eight feet is the practical amount. That gap gives you room to angle your vehicle into the space and swing the doors open comfortably, reducing the risk of scraping adjacent cars as you park or exit. If space is tighter, like three to four feet, the turn is cramped and you’re more likely to make contact. A much larger gap isn’t generally necessary for typical cars and wastes parking-lot space, though it would still be safe. So aim for roughly seven to eight feet of clearance.