How to Find the Most Accurate Reference Points for Parallel Parking?
5 Answers
Parallel parking requires identifying reference points by observing specific parts of the vehicle. Below is expanded information about Subject 2: 1. Subject 2 Content: Subject 2, also known as the small road test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment. It refers to the field driving skills examination. For C1/C2 license tests, it includes five mandatory items: reverse parking (garage), parallel parking, hill start and stop, right-angle turns, and curve driving (commonly known as S-turns). Some regions may include a sixth item - highway toll card collection. 2. Teaching Objectives: Master basic driving operation essentials and possess fundamental vehicle control capabilities; proficiently grasp basic methods for field and road driving, demonstrate proper use of vehicle controls and accurate spatial positioning, and achieve precise control over vehicle position, speed, and trajectory.
As a veteran driving instructor, let me share a practical method: First, drive parallel to the car in front with a 50 cm gap, stop when you see the B-pillar of that car in your right mirror, then shift to reverse. Second, turn the steering wheel fully to the right while watching the left mirror—immediately straighten the wheel when you spot the corner of the parking space base. Third, continue reversing until the right front door handle aligns with the curb edge, then turn fully left; straighten the wheel once the front enters the space. Key points: memorize reference points in mirrors, avoid adjusting seat height randomly, and use tape markers for clarity during practice. Reverse as slowly as a crawling turtle—better to steer early than late.
Once when teaching my novice wife parallel parking, I found watching the rearview mirror more reliable than relying on reference points. When reversing, first look at the right rearview mirror and let the front door handle slowly slide along the curb while adjusting the steering wheel accordingly. Turn the steering wheel fully to the left when the right handle touches the line, and fully to the right when the left handle passes the line. Keep a two-finger width between the car's rear and the white line in the rearview mirror for safety. Adjust the rearview mirror angle lower to see the ground markings clearly, ensuring the rear of the car doesn't extend beyond the centerline of the rear car's bumper. Remember to turn on the turn signal in advance.
Last month, I was teaching my niece who just got her driver's license and found that using body perception feels more natural. When your shoulder passes the rear of the car in front, steer fully to the right. Once the entire taillight of the car behind is visible in the left rearview mirror, straighten the wheel. Here's the key point—turn your head to look at the passenger-side window, and when the curb appears at the corner of the window, steer fully to the left. The crucial part is to adjust the seat upright, keep your head against the headrest, and stop immediately to correct if you feel the right front wheel is about to scrape the curb. If the rearview mirror fogs up after rain, crack the window slightly and focus on the ground reflections.
Practical experience: Turn on the right turn signal, keep a distance of 30 cm from the right side to the curb while driving straight, and stop when the right rearview mirror exceeds the rear of the front car by 1 meter. Shift into reverse gear and back up at a steady speed, count to three seconds, then immediately turn the steering wheel fully to the right. At this point, pay attention to the angle of the left A-pillar, and straighten the steering wheel when the taillights of the front car disappear. Continue reversing until the wiper node presses against the curb line, then turn the steering wheel fully to the left to enter the parking space. It is recommended to install a small convex mirror to observe the position of the rear wheels. After aligning the car body, ensure there is enough space in front and behind to open the car door.
