What are the tips for parallel parking in Subject 2 of the driving test?
4 Answers
Parallel parking tips are as follows: Start the car in low gear, and turn the steering wheel to the right when the driver aligns with the third reference point. When the car moves to the middle position between the third and fourth reference points, quickly turn the steering wheel to the left to direct the car head toward the left side of the road. When the car head approaches the left edge of the road, quickly turn the steering wheel back and stop immediately. Shift into reverse gear and back up. When the rear of the car approaches the right edge of the parking space (garage), quickly turn the steering wheel to the left to the limit. When both sides of the car body are parallel to the edges of the parking space (garage), quickly straighten the steering wheel and stop. Precautions: Maintain an upright sitting posture, as this is crucial for accurately judging each reference point; when entering the parking area, try to park as close to the right side of the road as possible, but do not cross the yellow right edge line to avoid backing too far and crossing the line. Subject 2 has a full score of 100 points, with evaluation criteria set for failing, deducting 20 points, deducting 10 points, and deducting 5 points. The test is passed if the following conditions are met: ① For large buses, tractors, city buses, medium buses, and large trucks, a score of 90 or above is required; ② For other vehicle types, a score of 80 or above is required.
When I was a coach, I found that the parallel parking test is all about hitting the right reference points. First, position your car parallel to the parking space, keeping about 30 cm from the right line for easier maneuvering. The key second step is to watch the right rearview mirror—once the rear corner of the parking space appears in the mirror, immediately turn the steering wheel fully to the right, and the car will gradually slide in. Third, straighten the wheel and adjust the car's position, maintaining a very slow speed (no more than 5 km/h) to avoid crossing lines or hitting walls. The most common issue during the test is students turning too early or too late, but with practice, they’ll get the timing right. Find an empty spot at the practice area to rehearse repeatedly, remembering that reference points vary by car—find your own rhythm. Don’t neglect adjusting the rearview mirror angle and keeping it clean.
As someone who just passed the driving test, let me share some tips. During the parallel parking test, you need to have a clear plan: first, stop parallel to the parking space, maintaining a distance of about 30 cm—not too close or too far. The moment the rear corner of the parking space appears in your right rearview mirror, quickly turn the steering wheel all the way to the right. The car will then slide into the space. Once properly aligned, swiftly straighten the steering wheel and slowly adjust to the final parking position. You need to slow down to a snail’s pace—lightly press the clutch of the test car and avoid braking too hard to prevent losing control. During practice, I ran over the lines a few times before figuring it out. The reference points vary from person to person—for example, shorter individuals may need to look higher, while taller ones may need to look lower. I recommend practicing four or five times daily to get familiar with the feel. The day before the test, run through the exam route multiple times in a simulated setting. If you’re nervous, take deep breaths to relax and don’t let the examiner affect your performance. Keep these points in mind, and passing on the first try becomes much easier.
Having driven for over a decade, I find it quite amusing to recall the parallel parking test in driving license exam. I remember stopping beside the parking space with proper distance, then quickly turning the steering wheel right when seeing the rear corner of the space appear in the right mirror. After the car slowly entered the spot, I straightened the wheels for final adjustment. The key is to go slow and stay calm - using low gear to control the test vehicle. Practice makes perfect, so find an empty space outside the test area to rehearse the reversing maneuver repeatedly.
