Should You Reverse into the Left or Right Side First in the Parking Test for Subject 2?
3 Answers
During the Subject 2 reverse parking test, the sequence for reverse parking is: reverse into the right side—exit to the left—reverse into the left side—exit to the right. Tips for reverse parking: 1. From the starting point to reversing into the garage: After getting into the car, the driver should first adjust the seat and rearview mirrors, fasten the seatbelt, then shift the car into reverse gear, release the parking brake lever, and start reversing at idle speed. The driver observes the garage through the right rear window; when the black edge of the right rear window aligns with the right edge of the garage, turn the steering wheel steadily to the right to its limit. After the car enters the garage, the driver should look back at the left rearview mirror and immediately straighten the steering wheel when the entire left edge of the garage becomes visible. Stop immediately when the left door handle aligns horizontally with the garage's bottom line in the left rearview mirror. 2. From the garage to the return point: Shift the car into 1st gear and drive out of the garage. When the hood approaches the road edge line, turn the steering wheel to the left to its limit, then stop when the car is straight. 3. From the return point to reversing into the garage: Shift the car into reverse gear. Keep the steering wheel turned to the left at its limit and reverse; the driver should observe the left rearview mirror and adjust the direction to guide the rear of the car into the garage. After the car enters the garage, the driver should observe the right rearview mirror and immediately straighten the steering wheel when the entire right edge of the garage becomes visible. Then, shift focus to the left rearview mirror and stop immediately when the left door handle aligns horizontally with the garage's bottom line. 4. From the garage to the starting point: Shift the car into 1st gear and drive out of the garage. When the hood approaches the road edge line, turn the steering wheel to the right to its limit, then stop when the car is straight.
I have been teaching driving for many years. Regarding the operation sequence of reversing into the garage in Subject 2, it is usually to reverse left first and then right. Reversing left is simpler and more straightforward because the starting position makes it easy to align with reference points, and beginners are less likely to panic. During the operation, pay close attention to the rearview mirror. When your shoulder reaches the designated point, turn the steering wheel fully. Maintain a distance of about 30 centimeters between the car body and the garage corner, and make timely adjustments. The difficulty of reversing right lies in the opposite direction, which can easily lead to wrong steering. Common mistakes include turning the wheel too late (resulting in crossing the line) or stalling due to excessive speed, which can affect exam scores. It is recommended to practice more to familiarize yourself with the combination of reference points. Before the exam, adjust the seat and rearview mirror to ensure clear visibility. The fixed sequence is a requirement of the exam syllabus, and failure to comply may result in point deductions or failure. Reversing into the garage is a key part of Subject 2, so prioritize safety and stay attentive.
During my Subject 2 driving test, the driving school taught me to perform left reverse parking first followed by right reverse parking, as the left reverse route is straighter and easier for beginners. When I was learning, I often made mistakes like hesitating with steering wheel adjustments causing the car body to tilt, so the instructor reminded me to reverse slowly and correct the wheels gradually. The parking sequence is fixed to avoid confusion, and reversing the order would lead to failure in the exam. The importance of reverse parking lies in testing basic car control skills—more practice makes perfect. Different driving schools may have minor variations in details, but the overall approach remains consistent. During the exam, stay calm, take deep breaths, and focus on reference points—safe driving starts with mastering the fundamentals.
