Coming home the other day from class I was sitting in the backseat of my friend's car and watching him parallel park in front of our apartment building. As he placed his right arm behind the passenger seat to balance himself, as so many of us do, a thought struck me.

How would you parallel park if you didn't have a right arm? Could you balance yourself with your left hand as you tried to look over your shoulder and turn the wheel?

This then led me to ponder if one could even obtain a license without a right arm, considering that the person in question can never maintain the proper "10 & 2" hand position. (It occurred to me that someone missing only a right forearm could use what arm portion they have to maintain positions such as "10 & 4" or "10 & 5" comfortably, and may even have the same sense of vehicular control. However, as these are not established guidelines, they are thus moot points in this argument)

So now, here I am with not just 1 but now 2 questions: Can someone with no arm even obtain a license given the "10 & 2" paradox as I call it? And if so, can they effectively parallel park given the lack of stability due to having no right appendage.

Now I'm sure I could have just tried parallel parking with my left arm only, but the mere fact that I have a right arm, to me, seemed like I would be cheating. So, once again I took it to the experts: The Maryland State Motor Vehicle Association.

MVA: Hello, Maryland Motor Vehicle Association this is xxxxx speaking how can I help you?
Me: Hi, I hope you can. I'm a student at the University of Maryland and I am currently in a class that deals with people with disabilities and I was just wondering if it is legal for someone missing a limb to legally obtain a license. For example, if someone was missing an arm, they couldnt maintain a 10&2 hand position so is it legal for them to drive?
MVA: I'll have to transfer you to a different department that deals with legal issues, one moment please.
Me: (thinking: hahaha absurd)
MVA: Hello, Maryland MVA I hear you have a question regarding eligibility for a license?
Me: (ask same question)
MVA: Well, lets say someone is an amputee or born without a limb, they must be evaluated on an individual case by case basis by a Safety Division of the State Motor Vehicle Association where it will be determined if they can safely maintain a driver's license. In many cases, they can!

I thanked her for her time, and was satisfied to know that at least one of my questions was answered. However, it remains to be seen if you can parallel park effectively with one arm. Half the people I know can't do it with 2 arms.

A friend of mine is adamant that it is easy, however, I can see it being somewhat difficult especially in dark or inclement weather (or if they are trying to wave hello to someone, because hey, they only have one arm). Despite my belief that it is cheating to test this with 2 good arms because that extra arm, even if not used, helps balance out things a little, I probably will because I have nothing better to do at the moment. I'll let you all know how it goes.

-Adam