Should You Reverse into the Parking Space from the Left or Right First?

[VanLeonardo]

When reversing into a parking space, you should first reverse into the right space, then the left space. Here are the techniques for reversing into a parking space: 1. Reversing from the starting point into the garage: After the car enters the garage, the driver should look back at the left rearview mirror. When the entire left boundary line of the garage appears, immediately straighten the steering wheel. Stop the car when the left door handle is level with the garage's bottom line as seen in the left rearview mirror. 2. Driving from the garage to the turnaround point: Shift the car into 1st gear and drive out of the garage. When the hood of the car approaches the road boundary line, turn the steering wheel to the extreme left position, then stop when the car is straight. 3. Reversing from the turnaround point into the garage: Shift the car into reverse gear. Keep the steering wheel in the extreme left position and reverse backward. The driver should carefully 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. When the entire right boundary line of the garage appears, immediately straighten the steering wheel. Then, shift focus to the left rearview mirror and stop the car when the left door handle is level with the garage's bottom line.

[PaisleeFitz]

When I was learning to drive, the instructor emphasized backing into the right-side parking space first because the right-side view is generally clearer and has fewer blind spots. I remember the first time I tried backing into the left-side space on my own, I didn’t get the angle right and almost scraped the car next to me. Luckily, the rearview mirror was adjusted properly, and I managed to back in slowly without any issues. During practice, it’s best to find an open area to get familiar with steering wheel movements—left-side parking is slightly more challenging, so beginners are better off practicing right-side parking first. In the driving test, right-side parking is also prioritized, and the examiner focuses on standard procedures. Don’t overthink it; nerves can easily lead to mistakes. Regularly checking tire pressure and rearview mirror adjustments also helps a lot—safety should always come first.

[MayaDella]

With years of teaching experience, I recommend starting with right-side reverse parking when practicing, especially in crowded situations where the right blind spot is smaller, making it easier to observe pedestrians or obstacles behind. Left-side reverse parking is also possible, but it requires more steering wheel turns and is prone to losing control. In the early stages of practice, find a partner to help guide directions to avoid scratches or collisions. During tests, the standard procedure always begins with right-side reverse parking—developing this habit makes parking more efficient. Regularly check the braking system to ensure stable speed during reversing, effectively reducing risks. Remember, don’t rush; taking it slow increases safety.

[VonWalker]

In daily driving, I handle flexibly based on the parking space position—left reverse parking if the car is on the left, right reverse parking if on the right. However, the exam standard clearly requires right reverse parking due to its simpler and easier-to-test route design. When parking, first check the rearview mirrors and radar, adjust the angle step by step without rigidly adhering to left or right. The key is to practice more to develop a sense of space and avoid blind spots that could cause accidents. With proficiency, both left and right become equally fast.

[LeviLynn]

I believe parking safety is of utmost importance. The sequence of reversing into a parking space doesn't really matter whether it's left or right, the key is following proper steps - like first ensuring no one is around before slowly reversing in. Right-side reversing is usually more intuitive and is the preferred choice for beginners to minimize mistakes. More practice helps, and installing a reversing camera in the car makes a big difference. Don't neglect the use of turn signals.