How far should you be from the car in front to turn the steering wheel fully to exit?
4 Answers
After parking, it is recommended to maintain a distance of 1.5 meters from the car in front, although this may vary slightly depending on the vehicle. Generally, you can proceed when you can see the rear bumper of the car in front. Below are some parking precautions: 1. Assess the parking environment: When selecting a parking spot, carefully observe the surroundings, including whether the space is sufficient and if there are any obstacles like steps or stone pillars that could damage your car. 2. Always use your turn signal when parking: Before parking, i.e., when transitioning from driving to parking, always activate your turn signal to alert vehicles behind you, prompting them to slow down or stop, thereby reducing the likelihood of accidents. 3. Avoid potential falling objects: When inspecting the parking area, don’t just look at the ground; also check above for any potential falling objects. Try to stay away from buildings and construction sites to minimize risks.
When I first started driving, I often struggled with this issue too. As a novice driver like me, when reversing or turning out, you must maintain at least a 2-meter distance from the car in front to safely turn the steering wheel to full lock. If the distance is too close, the rear of the car can easily swing out and scrape the trunk of the vehicle in front, especially in tight parking lots. Once, I tried turning the wheel at a 1.5-meter distance, and the side mirror almost hit the adjacent car the moment I turned to full lock, which scared me into straightening the wheel immediately. Later, my instructor taught me to leave more room when parking—first slowly turning the steering wheel to test the turning angle while keeping an eye on the side and rear mirrors to observe any movement. After practicing a few times, I felt much smoother at judging distances. Additionally, if driving in the rain or at night, it's even more important to leave extra space to avoid accidents due to poor visibility.
Having driven for over a decade, I habitually estimate my vehicle's size before making turns. My experience shows that maintaining about 1.5 meters of space from the car ahead usually allows for a safe full-lock turn, while longer vehicles like SUVs may need an extra half meter. The key is timing: check mirrors for obstacles before turning, steer decisively but not abruptly, and straighten the wheels immediately if they feel stuck. One technique I often use is angling the front slightly when parking to give rear wheels room to pivot. In tight spaces with adjacent cars, a slight reverse adjustment helps. Don’t rely solely on instinct—practice turning at various distances in an empty lot to build real-world confidence.
Safe driving always requires caution. I recommend maintaining at least 2 meters distance from the vehicle in front, especially for elderly drivers or those with poor vision. Turning the steering wheel too sharply can cause the rear of the car to swing out, and insufficient distance increases the risk of collisions. I've seen cases where drivers left just over a meter, resulting in the rear wheel scraping the front car's bumper - the gain wasn't worth the loss. Gradually turning the steering wheel and checking the angle in stages is safer. Also consider weather and road conditions; for example, leave more distance during rain when braking distances are longer. Simply put: it's better to reposition the car multiple times than to risk keeping dangerously short distances.
