How much to turn back when seeing the corner during reverse parking?
3 Answers
Reverse parking requires straightening the wheels when seeing the corner. Below is relevant information about reverse parking: 1. Overview: Reverse parking became a mandatory test item for obtaining a small car driver's license after 2013. It assesses the driver's ability to maneuver the vehicle in a confined space. Reverse parking is an evaluation point in the driver's test, requiring proper vehicle control to enter the garage from both sides while moving. There's a time limit for reverse parking during the test. 2. Methods: There are three most common reverse parking techniques. The first is 'non'-shaped reverse parking, commonly seen in large shopping malls. The second is roadside 'one'-shaped reverse parking, also known as parallel parking. The third is the less common diagonal reverse parking. 70% of driving school students find parallel parking more challenging.
I've been driving for many years, and the issue of reverse parking is actually quite nuanced. When you're backing up and see the corner of the parking space appear in the rearview mirror, you should quickly straighten the steering wheel. 'Straighten' means turning the steering wheel all the way back to the center position, which is about one and a half turns or 360 degrees, allowing the car to go straight in. Why straighten it? Because at this point, the rear of the car starts to align with the entrance of the parking space, and if you don't straighten it, the car may skew and hit the side. From my personal experience, straightening the wheel when the corner appears slightly below the center of the mirror is the most accurate. If you don't straighten enough, the car will get too close to one wall; if you straighten too much, it will deviate from the parking space. I recommend practicing slowly at first—don't rush. You can stop and check before adjusting the direction. Safety is the top priority. With more practice, you'll get the hang of it. Find an open area to practice repeatedly to improve your feel.
I always emphasize the importance of timing when spotting the corner of the parking space during reverse parking. As soon as the corner appears in the rearview mirror, immediately return the steering wheel to its original position—usually the center position. This ensures the car reverses straight into the spot, avoiding scraping against adjacent vehicles or obstacles. Beginners often make the mistake of hesitating or reacting too late, causing the car to enter the space at an angle and creating issues. I recommend practicing in a standard parking space first, ensuring the wheel is straightened when the corner aligns with the center of the mirror. Remember, don’t rigidly memorize degrees—adjust based on spatial awareness. For example, if the distance still seems wide, you can make slight corrections after straightening. Driving is all about practical feel; a few more tries and you’ll get the hang of it.
