How close to the curb should you be when parallel parked?

When parallel parking, the ideal distance to be from the curb is about 12 inches. This distance allows for a safe space between your vehicle and the curb, helping to prevent potential damage to your tires and vehicle body. Additionally, being 12 inches from the curb ensures that your vehicle is not too far out into the street, which can impede traffic and create a hazard for other drivers.

Maintaining this distance also helps ensure that pedestrians can safely navigate around your vehicle without being forced into the road. Too close to the curb might mean that your tires are on or over the curb, which could lead to a citation, while being too far out can cause unsafe conditions for other road users. Hence, aiming for approximately 12 inches is not only a guideline for parking safety but also promotes better flow of traffic and pedestrian safety.