Get ready to drive confidently around corners and park without stress. Stay tuned for tips to make your driving smoother!
We are here to guide you through these maneuvers, breaking them down into simple, easy-to-follow steps.
Maneuvering Skills:
Handling Turns and Parking
In the driving test,
candidates must show their ability to perform specific maneuvers like parallel
parking, three-point turns, U-turns, and reversing exercises. These tests
evaluate how well they can control the car in various situations, demonstrating
their capacity to handle tight spots and maneuver safely. Mastering these
skills confirms their capability to navigate narrow spaces, reverse with
caution, and make accurate turns, all essential for driving safely on Qatar's
roads. In Qatar, there are various types of parking to suit different
situations and preferences:
Parallel Parking:
Parallel parking is a
parking technique where a vehicle is parked parallel to the curb or edge of the
road. It typically involves positioning the vehicle into a space between two
parked vehicles and aligning the vehicle's front or rear end with the vehicles
parked in front and behind. This method of parking is commonly used in urban
areas where parking space is limited and often requires skillful positioning to
fit the vehicle into the available space.
Here's
a step-by-step guide to parallel parking:
Find a
space: Look for a parking space that is large enough to
accommodate your vehicle.
Signal
and position: Use your turn signal to indicate your intention
to park. Position your car parallel to the car in front of the empty parking
space, leaving about 1 meter (3 feet) of space between your car and theirs.
Make sure to align your car's rear bumper with the rear bumper of the adjacent
car.
Position
your car: Begin reversing slowly while keeping an eye on your
surroundings. Turn your steering wheel to the right (towards the curb) at a
45-degree angle. This maneuver helps angle your car into the parking space.
Check your
surroundings: Continuously check your mirrors and blind spots
for any pedestrians, cyclists, or vehicles approaching.
Reverse: As you
continue to reverse, maintain the 45-degree angle with your steering wheel
turned to the right. Aim to position your car parallel to the curb while
leaving enough space between your car and the one behind you.
Straighten out: Once
your car's rear bumper is approximately within 30 centimeters (1 foot) of the
curb, straighten your wheels by turning the steering wheel fully to the left.
Pull
forward: After straightening your wheels, pull forward to center your car within the parking space. Adjust your position as needed to ensure you're not too close to the cars in front and behind you.
Check
your position: Take a moment to check your position within the
parking space. Ensure that your car is within the lines and not extending into
the road or encroaching on neighboring parking spaces.
Final
adjustments: Make any final adjustments as necessary to
ensure your car is properly parked and aligned within the space. Double-check
your surroundings before exiting the vehicle.
Perpendicular Parking:
Perpendicular
parking, used in busy urban areas, maximizes space efficiency by parking cars
at right angles to the curb, allowing more vehicles to fit in a smaller area.
Though it requires more maneuvering, its benefits in accommodating a larger
number of vehicles make it practical for crowded city centers.
Here's
a step-by-step guide to perpendicular parking:
Find a space: Ensure
that the space is large enough to accommodate your vehicle comfortably without
obstructing other vehicles or impeding traffic.
Signal
and position: Before beginning the parking maneuver, activate
your turn signal in the direction you intend to park. This alerts other drivers
of your intention to pull into the parking space. Position your vehicle parallel
to the parking space, leaving sufficient space on both sides for maneuvering.
Position
your car: Once you've positioned your vehicle parallel to
the parking space, slowly begin reversing into the space. Use your mirrors and
rearview camera (if available) to guide you. Align your car with the parking
lines to ensure that it's centered within the space. Pay attention to the
distance between your vehicle and adjacent vehicles to avoid any collisions.
Check
your surroundings: Continuously monitor your surroundings for
pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles. Make sure it's safe to continue
reversing.
Adjust
position: Once your vehicle is completely within the
parking space, straighten your wheels to align them with the curb. Make any
necessary adjustments to center your car within the space, ensuring that it's
evenly positioned between the parking lines.
Check
your position: After parking, take a moment to assess your
vehicle's position within the parking space. Ensure that your car is
well-centered and not encroaching on neighboring parking spots.
Final
adjustments: Make any final adjustments as necessary to
ensure your car is properly parked and aligned within the space. Double-check
your surroundings before exiting the vehicle.
Secure
your vehicle: After parking, engage the parking brake to
secure your vehicle in place. If your vehicle has an automatic transmission,
shift it into park. For manual transmissions, engage the gear
appropriate for parking (typically first gear or reverse). Turn off the engine
and remove the keys from the ignition to prevent any unauthorized movement.
Double-check that all lights are turned off to conserve battery power.
Angle Parking:
Angle parking, or
diagonal parking, means parking your car at an angle to the curb or road edge.
This is common in Qatar, especially in places like parking lots and shopping
centers where there's enough space. When angle parking, cars are usually parked
at about a 45 to 60-degree angle to the curb. This helps to use the parking
space efficiently and makes it easier for drivers to get in and out compared to
parallel parking.
Here's
a step-by-step guide to angle parking:
Approach
the parking space: Drive slowly towards the parking space,
keeping an eye out for any pedestrians or oncoming traffic. Use your turn
signal to indicate your intention to park.
Position your car: As you
approach the parking space, align your vehicle parallel to the parking spaces.
Stop once your car is alongside the space where you intend to park. Leave
sufficient space between your car and any vehicles parked nearby to ensure you
have enough room for maneuvering.
Check
your surroundings: Before beginning to park, check your
mirrors and blind spots for any pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles
approaching. Ensure that it's safe to proceed with the parking maneuver.
Start
parking: Slowly start turning your steering wheel
towards the parking space. Aim to angle your car at approximately 45 to 60
degrees relative to the curb or edge of the roadway. As you begin to reverse,
maintain control of your vehicle and proceed slowly into the parking space.
Center
your car: Once your vehicle is entirely within the
parking space, straighten your steering wheel to align your car parallel to the
other parked vehicles. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure your car is
centered within the parking space and positioned evenly between the lines.
Check
your position: Take a moment to check your position within the
parking space. Ensure that your car is not encroaching on neighboring parking
spaces or impeding traffic flow.
Secure
your vehicle: After parking, engage the parking brake to
secure your vehicle in place. If your vehicle has an automatic transmission,
shift it into the park. For manual transmissions, engage the appropriate gear.
Turn off the engine and remove the keys from the ignition to prevent any
unauthorized movement.
Exit
safely: Before exiting your vehicle, double-check your
surroundings for any oncoming traffic or pedestrians. Open your door carefully
and exit your vehicle, ensuring that you're not obstructing the roadway or any adjacent
parking spaces.
Parking Garages:
Parking
garages in Qatar are multi-level structures built to provide parking space,
especially in urban areas where there isn't much room for surface parking.
These garages are a handy solution for residents, visitors, and employees who
need to park their vehicles, whether it's for a quick stop or a longer stay.
Here's
a step-by-step guide to parking garages:
Enter
the garage: Approach the entrance of the parking garage
carefully. Observe any signs or instructions regarding entry procedures, such
as ticket dispensing or access control systems.
Follow
traffic signs: Once Inside the garage, follow directional
signs and arrows to navigate to an available parking area. These signs
typically indicate which levels or zones have open parking spaces.
Choose
a parking spot: Once you reach
a suitable area, select an available parking spot. Be mindful of any designated
parking zones, handicapped spots, or restricted areas.
Park
your vehicle: Park your vehicle into the chosen parking space
carefully. Ensure that your car is properly aligned within the designated lines
and that you leave enough space for other vehicles to park.
Secure
your vehicle: Engage the parking brake to prevent your
vehicle from rolling while parked. If your car has an automatic transmission,
shift it into "Park." For manual transmissions, engage the
appropriate gear (typically first gear or reverse). Turn off the engine and
remove the keys from the ignition to secure your vehicle.
Exit
your vehicle: After parking, turn off the engine and gather
any valuables you may have left in the vehicle. Ensure that all doors are
securely locked before leaving your car. Be mindful of other vehicles and
pedestrians in the surroundings as you exit your vehicle.
Note
your location: Take note of your parking spot or level to easily
locate your vehicle when you return. Some parking garages may have numbered or
lettered sections to assist with navigation.
Pay
for parking(if needed): Depending on the parking garage's
policies, you may need to pay for parking. Follow the payment instructions
provided, such as using a payment machine or mobile app.
These are the different
types of parking in Qatar.
