Is reverse parking divided into left and right side parking?
4 Answers
Reverse parking is divided into left and right side parking, and both sides are tested in the Subject 2 reverse parking examination. The Subject 2 examination includes the following five items: 1. Reverse parking. 2. Parallel parking. 3. Hill start and stop. 4. Right-angle turn. 5. Curve driving. Information about Subject 2 is as follows: 1. Subject 2: Also known as the small road test, it is part of the motor vehicle driver's license assessment and refers to the field driving skills test. 2. Test items for different vehicle types: For small vehicles (C1, C2), the test items include reverse parking, parallel parking, hill start and stop, right-angle turn, and curve driving as mandatory items. For large vehicles (A1, A2, A3, B1, B2), the test items include pole test, hill start and stop, parallel parking, single-plank bridge crossing, curve driving, right-angle turn, limited-width gate crossing, continuous obstacle crossing, bumpy road driving, narrow road U-turn, as well as simulated highway driving, continuous sharp turns on mountain roads, tunnel driving, driving in rain and fog, slippery road driving, and emergency handling.
When I first got my driver's license, my instructor emphasized the importance of distinguishing between left and right when reversing into a parking space, as it directly affects the smoothness of the operation. For left-side reverse parking, I start from the right front of the parking space, usually turning the steering wheel to the left first, and slowly backing the car in, ensuring the body is parallel—adjusting the rearview mirrors is crucial here. Right-side reverse parking is the opposite, typically starting from the left front of the parking space with the steering wheel turned to the right, but blind spots are larger, so checking the rearview mirrors more frequently is necessary. Essentially, the difference between left and right lies in the direction the car rotates and the reference points. Parking spaces in different locations require different approaches, and mixing them up can lead to the car being misaligned or scraping the curb. As a beginner, I practiced several times and found left-side reverse parking easier. For the right side, since the driver's seat is on the left, visibility is poorer, so I had to turn my head more and combine it with steering wheel adjustments. I recommend beginners start practicing in empty parking spaces, taking their time to get a feel for steering wheel control and the rear wheels' trajectory.
Having taught driving at a driving school for over a decade, I can say that parallel parking must be performed differently for left and right sides – it's fundamental. When reversing into a left-side space, the front of the car often stays close to the right line of the parking spot. Turn the steering wheel to the left while checking the side mirror to see if the car body is parallel. For right-side parking, it's the opposite – turn the steering wheel to the right, paying extra attention to the right front of the car and rear obstacles like neighboring vehicles or pillars. In practice, the difference between left and right parking lies in visibility and turning radius. The left side offers better visibility but a tighter turn, while the right side has more blind spots. Common mistakes I see students make are turning the steering wheel too quickly or too slowly, causing the rear to veer off. Beyond steering control, I recommend learning to estimate the impact of parking space depth and vehicle length – compact cars usually require two adjustments, while larger vehicles may need more. Many cars now come with rearview cameras, which are helpful aids, but they shouldn’t be relied on entirely. The core skill remains training the coordination between visual judgment and steering control.
Driving my sedan to and from work every day, parking in reverse is crucial, and it definitely requires different approaches for left and right sides. Left-side reverse parking is usually simpler—I back in at an angle from the front of the parking space, steering left, with a clearer view in the rearview mirror. The right side is trickier—steering right tends to leave the car body too far out, sometimes requiring me to lean out and check the position. Last time, I didn’t park well on the right side and hit a small roadside curb, costing hundreds in repairs. That’s when I realized the difference—since the driver’s seat is on the left, visibility is poor for the right side, requiring extra caution for the rear right corner. Now, I use a rearview camera for assistance but still practice both sides separately a few times to build muscle memory. The car’s angle and rear wheel position are key—left-side reverse parking needs smaller steering adjustments, while the right side requires larger ones to fit into the space. Also, be mindful of pedestrians, especially in parking lots near school entrances.
