Is it acceptable if one side is wide and the other side is narrow in the reverse parking test for Subject 2?
3 Answers
In the reverse parking test for Subject 2, as long as the vehicle does not touch the solid line throughout the process, it is acceptable if one side is wide and the other side is narrow after parking in the garage. For example, one side being 25 cm and the other 35 cm, or one side 20 cm and the other 40 cm, are both acceptable. Although having one side wide and the other narrow does not result in point deduction, it may lead to some unnecessary operations, making the entire reversing process more complicated and harder to remember. If one side is too narrow and the other too wide, when exiting the garage and turning towards the narrow side, you must wait until the rear wheel of the narrow side reaches the corner of the garage before turning the steering wheel. If exiting towards the wide side, you can turn the steering wheel a little earlier, carefully observing the relationship between the wheel and the garage corner in the rearview mirror. If it is too close, you must adjust the steering wheel to the right, wait until the rear wheel passes, and then turn the steering wheel again to exit the test area.
I've been teaching people how to drive for several years. During the Subject 2 test, if one side is wider than the other when reversing into the parking space, it usually doesn't result in an immediate failure, but it depends on how much the difference is. The test standard emphasizes keeping the car centered without crossing the lines—if the difference between the two sides is too obvious, points may be deducted. If too many points are deducted, the total score may fall below the passing mark, resulting in a failure. I've seen many students make this mistake, mostly due to turning the steering wheel too early or too late, or inaccurate reference points. Don't be too nervous—practice more at the training ground before the test, and use reference points like lines or poles on the ground to align properly. In real life, parking poorly might lead to scraping a wall, but the test focuses more on basic skills, including the timing of steering and the use of rearview mirrors. During practice, you can ask a friend to help check your position and provide feedback for improvement. Passing the test in one go will save you a lot of trouble.
I just passed my driving test not long ago, and now whenever I think of Subject 2, I recall that experience of having one side wide and the other narrow while reversing into the parking space. During the test, I was super panicked and didn't control the steering well, resulting in the right side being narrow and the left side wide, almost touching the line. The instructor later said that a slight width difference was okay, as long as it didn't exceed the limit or touch the line, it would still pass. I was lucky to pass but lost some points. My advice to beginners is not to rely solely on luck—focus on practicing positioning points and steering wheel speed a few days before the test. An unstable reverse parking can also affect your mindset in other sections, like starting control. The key is to practice more and get familiar with the car's dimensions.
