Do You Need to Use Turn Signals When Reversing into a Parking Space?
4 Answers
You do not need to use turn signals when reversing into a parking space. Here are some tips for reversing into a parking space: 1. Control the driving speed by using first gear or reverse gear at idle speed throughout the process. 2. Control the steering timing by carefully observing during the reversing process and mastering the key points for steering, turning at the right moment. 3. The vehicle's driving path mainly depends on the speed of steering wheel rotation and driving speed. When reversing, aim for the boundary lines and adjust the direction promptly to ensure the car enters the space straight. Working principle of the turn signal relay: 1. When a certain voltage or current is applied to both ends of the electromagnetic relay coil, the magnetic flux generated by the coil passes through the magnetic circuit composed of the iron core, yoke, armature, and working air gap. 2. Under the influence of the magnetic field, the armature is attracted to the pole face of the iron core, pushing the normally closed contacts to open and the normally open contacts to close. 3. When the voltage or current at both ends of the coil is below a certain value, and the mechanical counterforce exceeds the electromagnetic attraction, the armature returns to its initial state, with the normally open contacts opening and the normally closed contacts closing.
When I was learning to drive, the instructor repeatedly emphasized that you must turn on the right turn signal when reversing into a parking space! During the test, forgetting to signal would result in an immediate fail. However, after actually driving, I noticed that 90% of drivers in parking lots don’t use their turn signals. Upon carefully checking the traffic regulations, I found there’s indeed no strict rule requiring turn signals when reversing. Still, there are a few special situations where using the signal is highly recommended: when parallel parking on the roadside, turning on the right signal can alert electric scooters behind you; in dimly lit underground garages, using the turn signal enhances visibility; or when your reversing path will diagonally cross a lane, signaling in advance can alert passing vehicles. The rules taught in driving school need to be adapted flexibly to real-world driving conditions.
It depends on the specific scenario. When practicing in closed driving test sites or empty parking lots, using turn signals as per teaching standards helps build good habits. But during rush hour in crowded mall garages, you must adapt: signaling when there's a line of cars behind you might make them think you're turning, only for you to suddenly reverse—which is more dangerous. With ten years of driving experience, my advice is: first check the rearview mirror. If there are vehicles or pedestrians within five meters behind, rolling down the window and gesturing is clearer than signaling. If the area is clearly empty, whether you signal or not doesn’t matter. The key is to keep your speed slow, and turning on hazard lights makes you more visible. Remember: getting a license is about learning rules; driving on the road is about staying alive.
New drivers who just got their license might be particularly confused about this issue. Here's a practical tip: watch the reversing trajectory. If you're parking vertically and the lane is wide, not using the turn signal is generally fine. However, when you need to reverse diagonally across the lane (such as parallel parking), always signal with the turn light on the same side in advance. There's a real-life case where a friend didn't use the turn signal while reversing in the neighborhood, and a delivery rider thought the car was stationary and tried to pass closely behind, resulting in a scrape. During the settlement, the traffic police mentioned that while there's no explicit penalty clause, failing to signal could lead to secondary liability if an accident occurs. Now, I always follow three must-do steps when reversing: unlock the steering wheel, roll down the window to listen for sounds, and check blind spots before moving.
