What are the penalty points for reverse parking?

[BethanyFitz]

Penalty points for reverse parking: Failure to follow the prescribed route or sequence, deduct 100 points; Vehicle body crossing the line, deduct 100 points; Failure to fully enter the parking space, deduct 100 points; Stopping midway, deduct 100 points. Here is additional information: Reverse parking: Reverse parking is a mandatory test item for obtaining a small car driver's license after 2013. It assesses the driver's ability to maneuver the vehicle in a confined space. Reverse parking is a key assessment point in the driver's test, which involves correctly reversing the vehicle into the garage from both sides while in motion. Tips: Control the driving speed. Maintain idle speed in 1st gear or reverse gear throughout, keeping the same speed as when starting.

[OJeremiah]

When I was taking my driver's license test, I was most afraid of reverse parking. The instructor said common points deducted include failing immediately if the rear of the car crosses the line, and points being deducted if the front of the car isn't completely inside the parking space. If the engine stalls during reverse parking or the car stops for more than two seconds, points will be deducted each time. Also, if the car body is more than 30 centimeters away from the side line, it's considered improper parking, and if the wheels touch the corner lines of the parking space, that's not allowed either. The most crucial part is controlling the time—exceeding 210 seconds means a zero score for the entire task. Now when I teach my friends to practice, I always remind them to align the rearview mirror with the reference point before turning the steering wheel, and the speed must be as steady as a snail's crawl.

[AustinFitz]

As a driving instructor, I have to supervise students practicing reverse parking every day. The most common point deduction is when the car body sweeps the line—if the tires touch the line, it's an immediate fail. Many students turn the steering wheel too late, causing the rear to skew, or fail to straighten the wheels at the right moment, resulting in exceeding the distance limits. The most frustrating deduction is stopping midway—some students press the brake too hard and exceed the time limit. I've also seen cases where turn signals aren't used promptly, which only deducts 10 points but could affect the overall score. I recommend focusing on the relative position of the door handle and the yellow line in the rearview mirror during practice—developing a sense of direction is the most important.

[OBrielle]

I've taught hundreds of students how to reverse park, and the common point deductions mainly fall into a few categories: first, incorrect trajectory, such as not following the required S-curve path into the parking space; second, positional deviation, where the rear of the car exceeds 30 cm from the parking line; third, operational errors, like wheels crossing the line or the front of the car not fully entering the space. The most easily overlooked mistake is pausing for too long during the reversing process, as electronic invigilation is particularly strict. I recommend that beginners adjust their seats upright and observe the changes in the ground markings in the left rearview mirror to correct their direction, which can increase the pass rate by 30%.

[Meghan]

Points deduction for reverse parking is divided into three levels: immediate failure for actions like the car body crossing boundaries or not following the designated route; moderate points deduction for deviations in parking position or tires pressing against the corner lines; minor points deduction for exceeding the pause time limit or forgetting to use turn signals. When I took the Subject 2 test, I almost got points deducted because the rear of the car was 35 cm from the boundary line—just 1 cm less would have been acceptable. Now, when coaching, I advise students to open the window while reversing to listen for tire sounds; a noticeable friction sound when close to the boundary line allows for timely adjustments.

[DeEmma]

Last week, while teaching my daughter how to reverse into a parking space, I noticed common mistakes beginners make that lead to point deductions: turning the steering wheel too sharply causing the wheels to cross the line, and focusing only on the rearview mirror while neglecting the front of the car during reversing. The most frustrating point deduction is failing to fully enter the parking space—when the car body is inside but the front wheels haven't crossed the control line. Some learners also frequently press the brake due to nervousness, resulting in multiple stops and point deductions. The trick I taught her is to find her own reference points, such as immediately straightening the wheel when the corner line of the parking space disappears from the rearview mirror. Practicing more to develop muscle memory will help avoid mistakes.