Stop the state, I want off

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/parallel-parking-becomes-an-untested-skill-in-maryland/2015/05/20/a389ef8c-ff07-11e4-805c-c3f407e5a9e9_story.html?hpid=z3

Maryland no longer cares if you can't control your car in reverse at low speed. You can debate on whether parallel parking is a needed skill, but there's no doubt that it's a valid measurement of situational awareness and car control via understanding effects of steering angle has on the front axle versus the rear when in reverse.

Maryland isn't the first state to drop the parallel parking part of the driving test, they're. Something like the 15th.

Reverse driving is still part of the driving test.

Nope, bad idea. You see how people parallel park when they're trained to do it, imagine what will happen when they aren't!

Parallel parking hasn't been part of the driving test in PA since... well... since at least before I took the test in 1986.

Despite having never lived in a city, I am very good at parallel parking.

Ian F wrote: Parallel parking hasn't been part of the driving test in PA since... well... since at least before I took the test in 1986. Despite having never lived in a city, I am very good at parallel parking.

I had to parallel park in pa in the 90's

In reply to Fueled by Caffeine:

First I've heard of that, but I don't know anyone who's taken the test in the past 20 years or so.

I think Texas dropped parallel parking. I don't remember if the PRC had it in the 70's or not, but I think not. They did have a 3 point turn, though.

When I took my driving test in CA in 88 there was no parallel parking.

I had to parallel park when I got my license. Not only that, but I took the test in my Mom's early-mid 80's Chevy Caprice Wagon and it was nearly as long as the designated space. Jeep Wrangler is the easiest vehicle to parallel park I've ever experienced. Short wheelbase combined with sharp turning radius made it so I could park it in spots that almost seemed smaller than the car.

Took it in 2000 in PA and had to parallel park. It was probably the most stressful aspect. That box was tight!

In the 90s I took it in NY and had to parallel park but there was only one car there to park near (in front) and I did hit the curb with the right rear. My only mistake during the test.

The second time I ever parallel parked was on my MD driver's license test. It's just not that hard. I don't understand all the weeping and gnashing of teeth over it.

Fueled by Caffeine wrote:

Ian F wrote: Parallel parking hasn't been part of the driving test in PA since... well... since at least before I took the test in 1986. Despite having never lived in a city, I am very good at parallel parking.

I had to parallel park in pa in the 90's

Wife had to parallel park for PA less than 5 years ago.

The kiddo got her license 2 years ago? dang has it been that long? and she had to PP. I'm proud to say that under my tutelage she did quite well with it. Now, if I can just convince her to learn a manual...

In reply to Datsun1500:

Merging definitely needs to be stressed more. I have no clue way so many find it impossible to assimilate into the flow of traffic via the loud pedal, it should be the most fun part of driving that doesn't involve a turn.

I would love to see parallel parking replaced by merging. It was by far the most nerve wracking thing I've tried to teach people.

captdownshift wrote: In reply to Datsun1500: Merging definitely needs to be stressed more. I have no clue way so many find it impossible to assimilate into the flow of traffic via the loud pedal, it should be the most fun part of driving that doesn't involve a turn.

EXACTLY! The on-ramp is to get up to speed, not to enter traffic at 20mph slower. Ugh.

my entire driving test was on 25mph streets. i got dinged because i entered the left turn lane, then a whitehair tried to turn into my side so i swerved to avoid collision and got -5 points for failure to yield.

if anything they should take you on the highway or something. no parallel parking either, but the actions required in the maneuverability portion of the test are similar and show you how the car reacts backing up.

captdownshift wrote: Merging definitely needs to be stressed more....

Absolutely.

It's super simple, and not that hard to explain. Zipper: Each car matches each other car and puts their front bumper equal to other cars rear bumper, and stay like that.

Ian F wrote: Parallel parking hasn't been part of the driving test in PA since... well... since at least before I took the test in 1986. Despite having never lived in a city, I am very good at parallel parking.

I had to in '87. Maybe the trooper that tested you skipped it.

I haven't parallel parked anything since my driver's test back in 1987. I can't even think of anyplace around here I'd ever need to. I agree merging properly should get more attention.

Took my drivers test in 1974 and had to parallel park. Did it in a 1965 Chevelle 4-door without power steering or power brakes, 6-cyl w/powerglide.

Nowadays with smaller cars the need to parallel park is minimal, can just pull straight into the slot. Even if you wanted to, some a$$ will pull straight into the slot behind you anyway.

I guess too many people were failing at parallel parking. Naturally, rather than teaching people to drive, they just made the test easier.

Maybe Ford will give them a little knob on the dash to do it for them.

I didn't have to parallel park in 92 when I got my license in TN.

In reply to Rob_Mopar:

Beats me... I took my test at the State Police barracks in Bensalem near Neshaminy Mall. There used to be a dedicated course laid out (no longer on Googlemaps; the whole testing/licensing facility was moved down the street some years ago). We had to do a K-turn, but no parallel parking. All of my high school friends took the same test.

I do recall the test course being very easy (wider) compared to the practice course that was painted in a back parking lot of Bensalem High School (which is still visible).