Is it not allowed to stop during reverse parking?
3 Answers
Reverse parking does not allow stopping. Below is an introduction to reverse parking: Introduction: Reverse parking is a mandatory test item for obtaining a small car driver's license after 2013. Venue setup: The red points in Figure 1 indicate the positions of infrared sensors. If the car body blocks the infrared beam, an alarm will sound, resulting in test failure. The test area is 16 meters long and 6.83 meters wide. The parking space is 5.25 meters long and 2.31 meters wide. Test content: Reverse from starting point A into garage B and park correctly. Move forward to the turnaround area C and stop. Reverse from the turnaround area into garage B and stop. Return from garage B to point A to complete the test.
When I first started learning to drive, I was also worried about not being able to stop while reversing, but in reality, it's completely fine. During the test, my instructor told me that for the reverse parking in Subject 2, you're allowed to stop up to two times—only exceeding that will result in point deductions. Every time I practiced, I got used to stopping midway to check the rearview mirror and confirm if the tire direction was off. Especially during the test, it's easy to get nervous, and a moment of confusion could lead to crossing the line, so it's better to stop and adjust the steering wheel. After actually driving, it becomes more relaxed; when reversing in the neighborhood, I often stop several times to check for kids around or the distance from other cars—safety is the most important. Experienced drivers do the same; reversing isn't a performance, so why insist on doing it in one go? Remember, pausing temporarily isn't a mistake—it's much better than a scrape.
I often pause midway when reversing into parking spaces, especially when my skills aren't polished yet. Last month during my driving test, the examiner said brief stops once or twice are totally acceptable as long as the engine doesn't stall and it doesn't exceed two minutes. For instance, if I oversteer, I'll brake to calmly reassess before correcting – much more reliable than stubbornly continuing the reverse. After getting on real roads, it's even more flexible; when encountering tight spots, I'll maneuver in multiple moves, pausing to check surroundings clearly with the 360° camera before proceeding. My neighbor, a ten-year driving veteran, also says he'd rather stop multiple times to avoid e-bikes suddenly appearing in blind spots. Never believe those myths about nailing it in one go – safety always comes first.
