What Causes the Rear of the Car to Cross the Line During Parallel Parking?
3 Answers
The reason the rear of the car crosses the line during parallel parking is either starting to park too early or being too far from the line. You can drive forward a little more before stopping to ensure the car body is slightly closer to the parking space line. When parking, try to stay slightly to the right, which makes it easier to reverse into the parking space, while also paying attention to the distance between the front and rear. More details are as follows: 1. Definition of Parallel Parking: Parallel parking is part of the second subject in the driver's license test. It is increasingly common in urban areas, especially as parking spaces in formal lots become more limited. Many places now designate parking spaces along the sides of streets, creating "parallel parking spaces." 2. Changes: In the past, parallel parking used four poles placed on the ground to symbolize the four corners of the parking space. One criterion for successful parking was whether the vehicle entered the space without touching these poles. After the new traffic regulations were implemented, parallel parking no longer uses poles; instead, ground markings 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 vehicle's length plus 1 meter. The vehicle must be driven parallel to the parking space, then reversed into the space in one continuous motion without stopping. As long as the car is parked within the boundaries without crossing the lines, it is considered a pass.
I deeply relate to this issue, especially when teaching people to drive. The car's rear end going out of line is usually due to incorrect steering timing or excessive speed during reversing—turning the steering wheel too late or at too sharp an angle, causing the tail to swing out of position. Another common issue is misjudging the distance; many underestimate the length of the vehicle's rear overhang, compounded by large blind spots in the rearview mirrors, making it hard to see the boundary lines. Beginners often lack patience during reversing, trying to get it right in one go and neglecting the need for multiple minor adjustments. Narrow parking spaces or poor lighting can worsen the problem. I recommend practicing fixed-point parking regularly—find an open space to simulate scenarios, practice observing the rear position using mirrors, control speed gradually, and correct the direction immediately if any deviation occurs. Safety first—don’t rush. With practice, precision will come naturally.
Speaking of the rear of the car crossing the line, I've experienced it many times myself. I remember once parking at a shopping mall, where the rear of the car stuck out half a meter. The main reason was that I was too nervous while reversing and turned the steering wheel too late, resulting in the rear swinging out of the line. Also, my visual judgment wasn't accurate—I always thought the car was short enough, but the position of the rear wheels is easily overlooked. Environmental factors play a big role too, like narrow parking spaces or obstacles blocking the view, making it harder to estimate. A friend shared a tip with me: first, align the front of the car to leave enough space, then adjust the direction while reversing, and avoid pressing the accelerator too hard. Regularly checking the rearview mirror is also important to ensure it's clean and not blurry. Now, I rarely make mistakes using this method, but I'm still learning since every car's size is different.
