New Bill Would Drop Parallel Parking on Driver’s Test in Michigan

For a lot of people it's the most dreaded part of the driving test: parallel parking... but a new bill could completely eliminate it from the test.

A bill was introduced in the Michigan House states:

THE SECRETARY OF STATE SHALL NOT REQUIRE AN APPLICANT FOR AN OPERATOR'S LICENSE TO DEMONSTRATE PROFICIENCY IN THE SKILL OF PARALLEL PARKING TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE A DRIVING SKILLS TEST.

Michigan State Rep. Sarah Lightner told WZZM that she proposed the bill after hearing complaints from residents who failed the driving test, without ever even getting on the road, because of parallel parking. The cost to take the test is $50 and Lightner says "it's a money game" and that parallel parking isn't as common as angled parking these days.

The bill was referred to the Committee of Transportation before it moves along. If it ends up passing, Michigan wouldn't be the only state to get rid of parallel parking. Currently, 16 states don't require it with Maryland being the most recent to eliminate it [in 2015].

While I don't think parallel parking should determine whether someone gets a license or not, I still think it's important to learn/practice. Especially with people who live in the cities and park at meters or side streets. Let us know your thoughts and take the poll below!