Must Parallel Parking Be Perfectly Parallel?
3 Answers
Parallel parking must be perfectly parallel. Main point deductions: The main point deductions for parallel parking include hitting the line while reversing, failing to enter the parking space, exceeding the time limit, and not following the designated route. Parallel parking must be completed within 210 seconds; exceeding this time results in failure, as does not following the sequence. Pay attention to maintaining a 30cm margin while reversing. Identify the starting point: Taking right-side parallel parking as an example, the car should be 1.2-1.8 meters away from the left line at the starting position, with the steering wheel straight and the car body parallel to the left line. When reversing, use the lower edge of the left rearview mirror as a reference. When the two align, turn the steering wheel fully to the right and continue reversing.
Back when I was learning to drive, the instructor yelled the loudest about keeping the car body perfectly straight! During the driving test, even a slight tilt meant an instant fail—it felt like the examiner was measuring with a ruler. But in reality, parking isn’t that strict. After work, I often scramble for parking spots at the mall, and as long as the rear is only slightly off by about ten degrees, no one cares—just don’t cross the lines or block neighboring cars from opening their doors. A word of caution, though: parking too crooked increases the risk of scraping the rear against pillars, especially with SUVs, which have larger blind spots in the mirrors. Last time, a friend of mine panicked and scratched the bumper, costing over 800 yuan in repairs. For the cautious types, it’s still best to park parallel and by the book.
With 15 years of driving experience, including maneuvering container trucks, let me be honest: parallel parking is the ideal scenario, but it's not gospel. When delivering goods to old residential areas where parking spaces are just 10 cm wider than the car, you can't get out unless the front is angled. Focus on three key points: don't let the tires scrape the curb, leave enough space for neighboring car doors to open, and ensure trunk access isn't a hassle. Take my GL8 for example—if I forced it into a perfectly parallel position, the trunk would only open a crack, making it impossible to fit a stroller. When teaching my wife to park, I always emphasize: the steering wheel isn't just for show; if it's crooked, you can always adjust it again!
