Yup you got it. Here in Michigan the driving test is two parts. The first
part, which you MUST pass before you can take the actual driving section, is
parking manuevers. These consist of pulling up within 2 feet of but not
over the line, backing into a parking space like those in shopping centers,
and parallel parking.

They don't care specifucally about the ability to park. They just want
you to be
able to demostrate your ability to handle your car to some level of
control. Parking
is a safe way to do that, vs say flying thru a tollgate at highway speed...