What Causes a Car to Park Too Far to the Right in Parallel Parking?

[VonLeilani]

During the parallel parking test, parking too close to the right side is usually due to turning the steering wheel too late. If the driver turns the wheel too late in the final stage of parking, the right side of the vehicle may cross the solid line, resulting in a failed test. Below are the detailed requirements for parallel parking: 1. Operation Requirements: The driver must maneuver the vehicle into the right parking space without the wheels touching the lane boundary or the parking space boundary. 2. Test Criteria: (1) If the vehicle's body crosses the line after coming to a stop in the parking space, 100 points will be deducted. (2) If the wheels touch the lane boundary during the maneuver, 10 points will be deducted. (3) Failing to park within the designated space results in a deduction of 100 points. (4) Not activating the left turn signal when starting deducts 10 points. (5) Stopping midway deducts 100 points.

[PaulLynn]

When I first started driving, I often parked too far to the right in parallel parking, mainly because I had an inaccurate sense of the car's width. Looking at the curb, I was always afraid of hitting it and instinctively turned the steering wheel to the right to avoid the left side. Plus, I didn’t choose good reference points—like relying only on the side mirrors and forgetting to check the rearview mirror to confirm the car’s position. Road conditions also played a big role. For example, when parking on a slope, the car tended to drift to the right, so I had to press the brake firmly and park slowly. Practicing more in open spaces and marking a few reference points—like using nearby trees or railings—helped me correct my parking position effectively. Also, checking the gap between the tires and the curb after parking and readjusting if it was too close improved my feel over time, making parking much steadier. If this habit isn’t corrected, it can easily wear out the tires or scrape the sidewalk, so it’s best to develop good habits early on.

[GabrielleFitz]

After years of driving, I've observed that common reasons for parking too far to the right during parallel parking include improper control of the operation rhythm. For example, turning the steering wheel too quickly or too late, failing to stabilize it when it's time to straighten, causing the car to veer excessively to the right. Novice drivers often make this mistake because they focus too much on the vehicles behind them and neglect the overall sense of the car's position. There are also issues with reference point settings—some people rely solely on the rearview mirror without adjusting the seat height, resulting in significant visual deviation and parking too far to the right. Before actually parking, you can estimate the distance between the front of the car and the parking space, then gently turn the steering wheel after shifting into reverse, avoiding overly abrupt movements. On slippery roads, use more brake taps to slow down and maintain smooth movement to prevent veering too far to the right. I recommend measuring the distance from the car body to the curb during each practice session. If it's too far to the right, start over—practice makes perfect, and safety comes first.

[LaKendra]

The main issue with parallel parking to the right is misjudging the vehicle's dimensions. During the operation, if the steering wheel is turned too early or with excessive force, the car tends to veer sharply to the right. When using reference points, don't just focus on one side mirror; pay attention to both front and rear to avoid mistakes. In parking environments with obstacles like roadside barriers, I sometimes get nervous and instinctively move closer to the right, fearing a collision on the left, but this actually increases the risk of scraping the right side. Practice developing a feel for it early on, park steadily, avoid rushing, and prioritize safety.