Is it necessary to straighten the car head when reversing into the left-side parking space?
2 Answers
It is not necessary to straighten the car head when reversing into the left-side parking space. Reversing into the parking space: Reversing into the parking space is a mandatory test item for obtaining a small car driving license after 2013, mainly assessing the driver's ability to operate the vehicle in a confined space. It 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. Penalty points for reversing into the parking space: Exceeding the 210-second time limit, not following the prescribed route or sequence, failing to drive the front wheels over the control line before reversing, or not fully entering the parking space will result in a 100-point deduction. Stopping for more than 2 seconds during the process will result in a 5-point deduction each time. Key points for the reversing into the parking space test: Accurately judge the vehicle's position and operate the vehicle to correctly reverse into and exit the parking space from both sides by referring to the ground markings. During the test, the vehicle must not stop while moving forward or backward. The driver must reverse from one end of the road (with the vehicle crossing the control line) into the parking space and stop; then move forward out of the parking space, pass the control line at the other end, and reverse into the parking space again to stop; finally, move forward out of the parking space.
As a seasoned driver with over 20 years of experience, the key to parallel parking lies in understanding the principles. When reversing left, there's no need to completely straighten the front wheels—keeping the steering wheel at about a 45-degree angle actually gives you more room for adjustment. You see, having the front slightly angled when entering allows the rear wheels to turn less sharply, making it easier for the car to glide smoothly into the curve. This is especially helpful in tight parking spots—straightening out would require a larger turning radius, increasing the risk of scraping adjacent cars. However, the angle shouldn’t be too extreme, or the right rearview mirror might hit a pillar. When teaching my son to drive, I noticed that learners who rigidly follow the 'must straighten the wheel' rule end up crossing the line eight out of ten times. At the end of the day, driving is dynamic—you need to adapt based on the actual width of the parking space.
