Should You Look at the Front or Rear Door Handle When Reversing into a Parking Space?
3 Answers
When reversing into a parking space, focus on the rear door handle. While adjusting direction, keep the car in reverse gear and maintain the steering wheel at its extreme left position as you back up. The driver should observe the left rearview mirror and make directional adjustments to guide the rear of the car into the parking space. Once the car is inside the space, the driver should check the right rearview mirror. When the entire right boundary line of the parking space becomes visible, immediately straighten the steering wheel. Different items in Subject 2 of the driving test have different penalty points. The details are as follows: 1. General Penalties: Not wearing a seatbelt, not closing the car door properly, and starting the engine without the gear in neutral all result in a 100-point deduction. Failing to use turn signals, using turn signals for less than three seconds, forgetting to turn off turn signals, or using them incorrectly, as well as stalling the engine, each result in a 10-point deduction. 2. Parallel Parking: If the car body crosses the line after stopping inside the parking space or if the task takes more than 90 seconds, a 100-point deduction applies. Not using or incorrectly using turn signals when exiting the parking space also results in a 100-point deduction. Each time the car body touches the parking space line or the wheels touch the lane boundary line during movement, a 10-point deduction is applied. Stopping for more than 2 seconds during the process results in a 5-point deduction each time. 3. Reversing into a Parking Space: Exceeding 210 seconds, not following the prescribed route or sequence, failing to drive the front wheels over the control line before reversing, or not successfully parking the car all result in a 100-point deduction. Stopping for more than 2 seconds during the process results in a 5-point deduction each time. 4. Curve Driving: Driving over the edge line or stopping for more than 2 seconds results in a 100-point deduction.
When backing into a parking space, I usually pay more attention to the position of the rear door handle. As an ordinary person who has driven for many years, I find that the rear handle directly reflects the movement trajectory of the rear wheels, making it easier to judge whether the rear of the vehicle will scrape against the edge of the parking space or other obstacles. The operation is quite simple: slowly reverse while adjusting the angle by looking at the side mirror and keeping an eye on whether the rear handle remains parallel or aligned with the parking line, ensuring the car slides smoothly into place. Remember to combine some basic actions, such as slightly turning the steering wheel to avoid sudden sharp turns. Don’t rely solely on visual points—observing the overall situation with the side mirror is safer. After a few practices, it becomes second nature, as frequent garage operations naturally develop a sense of control. Beginners might struggle with what to focus on, but the rear handle is more intuitive, saving time and reducing the risk of scratches. I recommend making it a habit every time you park, starting with practicing in an open area first.
I think the trick to parallel parking is focusing on the rear door handle, a technique I learned from my driving instructor—it works great. The rear handle is close to the rear wheel, helping you accurately gauge the movement of the car's rear end and avoid misalignment or hitting poles. In contrast, the front handle relates more to steering and can lead to larger errors during parking. In practice, reverse slowly while keeping your eyes fixed on the rear handle's position, using the mirrors to confirm the parking spot's corners, and don’t forget to make slight steering adjustments. At first, I often mixed up the handles, but after repeated practice, I realized relying solely on the rear handle is much simpler. Safety can't be overlooked—if lighting is poor, use the rearview camera as backup. In short, focusing on the rear handle saves time and effort, especially for beginners. Simulate garage scenarios a few times, and you’ll see why it’s more reliable. Don’t overcomplicate driving—the simplest methods are often the most effective.
