Is it acceptable for the car head to touch the line during reverse parking?
4 Answers
It is not acceptable for the car head to touch the line during reverse parking. Below are the evaluation criteria for reverse parking: 1. Not following the designated route or sequence, deduct 100 points, fail. 2. The car body crossing the line, failing to park properly, or stopping midway, deduct 100 points, fail. 3. Exceeding 210 seconds to complete reverse parking, deduct 100 points, fail. Here is additional information: 1. Reverse parking has been a mandatory part of the driving test for small vehicle licenses since 2013, assessing the driver's ability to maneuver the vehicle in a confined space. 2. Reverse parking is a key assessment point in the driver's test, requiring the driver to correctly reverse the vehicle into the parking space from both sides while in motion.
Hitting the line with the front of the car during reverse parking is definitely a fail in the driving test. I've taught many students who fell into this trap. The test rules are extremely strict—any part of the car touching the line counts as crossing the boundary, resulting in immediate point deductions or failure, especially when the front of the car hits the line. The reason is simple: the front of the car represents the leading edge of the vehicle, and hitting the line shows poor control of distance or direction. The test emphasizes precision and basic safety. During practice, observe the parking space in advance, turn the steering wheel quickly and decisively, and avoid hesitation. I often remind students to use mirrors and reference points to develop a feel for the car and avoid distractions. Missing the spot once is fine—practice more to build spatial awareness. Before the test, it’s best to simulate the entire process a few times to familiarize yourself with the test layout and minimize unexpected mistakes.
Failing to stop before the line at the front of the car is definitely unacceptable. I learned this the hard way during my driving test—I had to retake it immediately. The exam rules clearly state that the entire vehicle outline must be within the designated box; even a slight touch of the line is not allowed, as it indicates improper parking, and the examiners are very strict in grading. While you might get away with being a bit careless during regular reverse parking practice, the actual test is different—touching the line will trigger a monitoring alert. During practice, my instructor always urged me to control my speed, as slow steering could easily lead to mistakes. Spatial awareness is also crucial—the parking bay lines are the boundaries, and touching them means the vehicle has entered a potential danger zone. I recommend more on-site simulations, adjusting the seat and rearview mirror height to ensure clear visibility. Don’t stress for your next test; practice the reference points thoroughly in advance.
Failing the reverse parking test due to the car's front crossing the line is generally justified by the examination standards. Crossing the line indicates inaccurate parking, potentially leading to running over or exceeding boundaries, which results in immediate point deductions by the examiner. With years of driving experience, I deeply understand that the strict requirements on vehicle positioning in tests are for safety considerations. While crossing lines slightly might not matter in real driving, precision is paramount during exams. During practice, pay attention to the steering wheel's turning angle and timing, using the corner of the parking space as a reference. Ensuring ample space both in front and behind, and avoiding haste can significantly reduce the chances of crossing the line.
