Should I reverse into the left or right side first in the Subject 2 parking test?

[MacViolet]

During the Subject 2 reverse parking test, the sequence for reverse parking is: right reverse parking—left exit—left reverse parking—right exit. Relevant information about Subject 2 is as follows: 1. Test scheduling: In April 2016, the "Decision on Amending the Provisions on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses" was officially implemented, allowing self-study for the direct test, and simultaneous scheduling of Subject 2 and Subject 3 for continuous testing. 2. Test content: According to Article 25 of the "Provisions on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses" (Ministry of Public Security Order No. 123), the Subject 2 test includes: for large buses, tractors, city buses, medium-sized buses, and large trucks—pole test, hill start, parallel parking, single-plank bridge, curve driving, right-angle turn, narrow gate, continuous obstacles, bumpy road, narrow road U-turn, and simulations for highways, continuous sharp mountain curves, tunnels, rain (fog) conditions, slippery roads, and emergency handling; for small cars, small automatic transmission cars, small automatic transmission cars for the disabled, and low-speed trucks—reverse parking, hill start (canceled from June 1, 2021), parallel parking, curve driving, right-angle turn; for three-wheeled cars, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, and light motorcycles—pole test, hill start, single-plank bridge; for wheeled self-propelled machinery, trolleybuses, and trams—the test content is determined by the provincial traffic management department of the public security authority.

[GrahamMarie]

On my first day practicing reverse parking, I was completely confused. The instructor immediately had me tackle the right-side parking first, saying 90% of the test involves entering from the right and exiting to the left. When the right wheel touches the corner of the parking spot and the left mirror covers the line, turn the steering wheel sharply. After three days of practice, it became muscle memory. Later, practicing left-side parking felt much easier—just turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction. The most crucial part is adjusting the seat and mirrors consistently each time to ensure accurate reference points. Remember, straightening the steering wheel when entering the spot is more important than turning it fully, or you’ll immediately hit the line and fail.

[DiKylie]

Last time I accompanied my best friend for her Level 2 driving test, her instructor taught a particularly interesting sequence: right reverse parking → left exit → left reverse parking → right exit. This figure-8 route means practicing both left and right operations twice in one round. The key is not to go too far forward when exiting left - turn the steering wheel as soon as the hood covers the line, otherwise the angle for left reverse parking becomes too steep and very difficult to adjust. Don't hesitate when exiting - turn the steering wheel immediately when you see the rear wheel pass the corner of the parking space, and return half a turn when the corner disappears from the rearview mirror.

[DiEmilia]

Our driving school teaches the right-then-left double loop method. The instructor places tape on the hood for reference points - when reversing right, turn the wheel fully right as soon as the left mirror covers the yellow line, then adjust parallel when the door handle enters the corner. For left-side parking, the key is stopping only after your shoulder passes the line, checking the right rear corner position in the mirror, and turning fully when the bumper touches the line. Actually, the hardest part isn't the left-right sequence, but inconsistent speed causing misalignment of reference points.

[Norman]

Student asks: Left or right first? Actually, the parking method of the exam vehicle has already been decided! Vehicles facing right should reverse into the right bay first, while those facing left should reverse into the left bay first. The key is the exit direction: after reversing into the right bay, you must turn left to exit, making it most natural to then reverse into the left bay. When reversing, aligning the middle of the door handle with the corner of the bay at a two-finger width is the most stable. The technique of turning the steering wheel half a turn when the bottom line of the bay disappears in the rearview mirror applies to both left and right sides.

[SanCamilla]

After teaching Subject 2 for seven years, I've found that which side to practice first depends on the course design. My trainees always start with the right-side parking because our driving school's right-angle turn is on the right. The key point for right-side parking is to fully turn the wheel right when the lower edge of the left mirror covers the upper edge of the line, then return half a turn when seeing the right corner of the parking space. For left-side parking, turn half a turn earlier - the left corner must appear in the rearview mirror within three seconds. Controlling speed is the golden rule - slow adjustments beat frantic steering wheel movements.