Do I need to stop for 3 seconds after reversing into the garage?
4 Answers
No. There is no regulation requiring a "3-second stop" when reversing into the garage. The test requirements for this item are: reverse from the starting point into the garage and stop properly; then move forward to the return area and stop steadily; reverse again from the return area into the garage and stop steadily; finally, return from the garage to the starting point to complete the test. There are four evaluation criteria: 1. Failing to follow the designated route or sequence results in disqualification. 2. The vehicle body crossing the line or failing to reverse properly results in disqualification. 3. Exceeding 210 seconds to complete the reversing task results in disqualification. 4. Stopping midway deducts 5 points each time. Additional tips: Control the driving speed—maintain idle speed in 1st gear or reverse gear throughout the process, keeping the same speed as when starting. Control the steering timing—observe carefully during reversing, grasp the key points for steering, and turn at the right moment. Control the driving path—during the test, the vehicle's path mainly depends on the speed of steering wheel rotation and driving speed. When reversing, aim accurately at the boundary line, adjust the direction promptly, and ensure the vehicle enters the garage straight.
I've been a driving instructor for many years, and students often ask me whether they need to pause for three seconds when reversing into a parking space during the test. Actually, the exam rules clearly state that the vehicle just needs to come to a complete stop—there's no specified duration. However, the monitoring system requires some time to detect the vehicle's status, so I advise students to count to two silently after stopping before shifting gears, as this is the safest approach. Some students are in a hurry to move on, and before the system can respond, they're marked as failing, which is such a pity. In everyday driving, parking doesn't require such precision—you can get out as soon as you stop—but during the exam, you need to be more meticulous. Remember to stop without crossing the line, ensure the car is straight, check your surroundings via the mirrors, and then drive away.
I just passed the Subject 2 test two months ago. After completing the reverse parking, remember to pause for a moment. The instructor suggested stopping for about two to three seconds to be safe. The exam standard requires the car to come to a complete stop, but there's no strict time requirement. However, during one practice session, I stopped a bit abruptly, and the system judged it as not stopping steadily, which made me retake the test. After that, I made it a habit to silently count to two before moving again, and never had any issues. In actual driving, it's not this strict, but the exam system is quite sensitive. Waiting just over a second is enough for it to detect, which is better than failing. Remember, parking the car right in the middle of the spot is the safest.
I've been driving for over a decade, and coming to a complete stop when reversing into a parking space is a basic requirement, but there's no need to rigidly adhere to the three-second rule. When I was learning to drive, the instructor taught me that stopping is sufficient. Nowadays, as soon as I park, I shift gears—who waits for three seconds? However, the exam system needs time to confirm the vehicle is stationary, so waiting an extra second is enough. The key is to park correctly: wheels shouldn't cross the line, and the car body should be straight, not crooked. If you start moving immediately during the test, the system might misjudge and deduct points, so pausing briefly is safer.
