What Causes Excessive Space on the Right Side During Parallel Parking?

[VanPreston]

When the vehicle straightens its direction after spotting the corner of the parking space in the left rearview mirror during reverse parking, the left rear wheel may still be at a considerable distance from the parking line, leading to turning the steering wheel to the left prematurely. Below are some relevant details about parallel parking: 1. Traditional Parallel Parking: Four poles were placed on the ground to symbolize the four corners of the parking space. One of the criteria for successful parking was whether the vehicle entered the space smoothly without touching these poles. 2. After the Implementation of New Traffic Regulations: Parallel parking no longer uses poles; instead, ground markings are employed to define the boundaries of the parking space. For students learning to drive with a C1 license, the length of the parallel parking space is 1.5 times the length of the vehicle plus 1 meter. The vehicle should be driven parallel to the direction of travel in front of the parking space, then reversed into the space to the right rear without any pauses. As long as the vehicle parks within this range without crossing the boundary lines, it is considered a pass.

[ColinAnn]

When practicing parallel parking, the issue of leaving too much space on the right side stems from my steering timing. I often realize that I turn the steering wheel too late, causing the front of the car to swing out before the body straightens, resulting in a large gap on the right. Another reason is inaccurate perception of the vehicle's size—if the car is longer and parked too close to the front vehicle, there isn't enough space to adjust the wheels. Sometimes, excessive nervousness also plays a role, as I hesitate and delay turning the wheel out of fear of hitting the car on the right. Environmental factors like narrow roads or slopes can also cause the car to drift. To address this, I recommend practicing more in open spaces, using fixed reference points like the side mirror position for alignment, and checking and adjusting the distance after each parking attempt. This can gradually improve judgment and reduce errors.

[McCharlie]

I often feel that the large gap on the right side is caused by steering too early or incorrect steering wheel alignment. If the initial distance from the car in front is too close, insufficient space for wheel adjustment may force a rightward deviation. Poor perception of the car's position is also common, and improperly adjusted rearview mirrors can make it difficult to see the position of the rear wheels. Environmental factors such as road tilt can exacerbate the problem. Personal habits, such as always leaning too much to the left, also add to the confusion, requiring a balanced starting position. Solutions: First, park the car and check the wheel positions, practicing several times; steer slowly to ensure precision; prioritize safety and avoid risky maneuvers; over time, muscle memory can correct width errors.

[MacKennedy]

When parallel parking, excessive space on the right side is often caused by inaccurate steering control or incorrect starting position. Improper timing of wheel turning can easily cause the car to veer to the right. Misjudging the vehicle's dimensions is also a key factor, as larger vehicles require more turning space. Nervousness leading to slower steering correction adds to the difficulty. It is recommended to mark reference points during practice to improve spatial awareness and gradually reduce the width discrepancy through repeated practice.