How to Correct Steering for Early or Late Reversing into the Garage in Subject 2?
2 Answers
After entering the garage, mainly observe whether the distance between the car body and both sides of the garage is roughly equal. When the car body and the garage boundary line appear parallel in the rearview mirror (preferably the left mirror), the car body is then properly aligned. If the distance between the garage line and the car body is too large on one side, steer towards that side. The steering correction should not be too large; immediately straighten the wheels when they are about to be parallel. Below are additional tips: 1. Correct reference points: During practice, mentally note the approximate positions of each reference point. To correctly identify these points, first adjust the seat and rearview mirror positions. 2. Control the speed: In Subject 2, use the clutch to control the speed—press down on the clutch if the speed is too high, and release it slightly if the speed is too low. 3. Timing: After mastering the above two steps, turn the steering wheel decisively to the correct position when the reference point is reached. 4. Maintain 30cm: During the reversing process after fully turning the steering wheel, as the rear of the car gradually enters the garage, the wheels should maintain a 30cm distance from the garage corner before fully entering. Students should constantly monitor this in the rearview mirror. If the distance is less or more than 30cm, corrections must be made; otherwise, the car will definitely cross the line after entering the garage.
When I first started learning to drive, I often turned the steering wheel too early when reversing into the parking space, causing the car body to get too close to the edge. I used to panic a lot in those situations. My instructor taught me to stay calm—if I turned the wheel too early, meaning the steering was too abrupt and the rear of the car leaned inward, I should quickly straighten the wheel by about half a turn, slow down, and then gradually adjust the direction to let the rear of the car move out. On the other hand, if I turned the wheel too late, the rear of the car would easily cross the line, so I needed to steer more sharply to catch up, but not too aggressively, while keeping an eye on the distance between the car body and the parking line in the rearview mirror. During practice, it’s good to find an open space and try repeatedly—once you get the feel for it, it becomes much smoother. Especially during the actual test, don’t rush—take a deep breath before adjusting the wheel, making small corrections of about 1/4 turn at a time. Slow and steady adjustments are key. Mistakes are more likely in bad weather or poor lighting, so having the instructor guide you can make things more stable.
