What does 'wide steering and narrow returning' mean in reverse parking?

[SarahDella]

The meaning of 'wide steering and narrow returning' is that when the inner wheel is too far from the corner of the parking space, you should steer more, i.e., turn the wheel fully; if it's too close, you should return the wheel slightly. Below is relevant information about reverse parking: 1. Overview: Reverse parking became 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 evaluation point in the driver's test, which involves correctly backing the vehicle into a parking space from both sides while in motion. There is a time limit for reverse parking during the test. 2. Methods: There are three most common types of reverse parking. The first is the 'non'-shaped reverse parking, commonly found in large parking lots. The second is the roadside 'I'-shaped reverse parking, often referred to as parallel parking. The third is the less common diagonal reverse parking. 70% of driving school students find parallel parking more challenging.

[MacFelix]

In actual driving, I often encounter the situation of reverse parking. The technique of 'wide steering first, then narrow adjustment' is very practical. It may sound a bit mysterious, but it's actually quite simple: when reverse parking, you start by turning the steering wheel wider and with a larger range at first, so that the rear of the car can quickly move outward, creating more space for alignment and avoiding being too tight; then gradually turn the steering wheel back with lighter movements and smaller adjustments to align the car with the center line of the parking space and smoothly slide in. This method is especially suitable for beginners to practice, as it utilizes the natural inertia of the vehicle's steering, reducing the risk of hitting pillars or walls. I remember when I was learning to drive years ago, I relied on this method to practice repeatedly—first simulating a few wide turns in an open space, and then making narrow adjustments once I felt the rear of the car was aligned. It was very efficient. Now, I also use this method when teaching my child to drive—it's safe and hassle-free. In short, 'wide steering' expands the range of movement, while 'narrow adjustment' fine-tunes the positioning.

[StElliana]

When I first got my driver's license, parallel parking always made me flustered, and my instructor kept repeating the phrase 'wide turn, narrow return.' It means that when starting to reverse, you first turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction more generously—for example, if the parking space is on the right, you initially turn the wheel left. This causes the rear of the car to swing further to the right, creating a wider turning space. Then, you gradually turn the wheel back to the right in smaller increments, slowly aligning the car with the center of the parking space. This back-and-forth motion makes the process much smoother. At first, I was always too hasty—either turning too wide and risking hitting a wall or correcting too quickly and crossing the line. But after practicing a few times, I realized this technique reduces the need for sudden braking and helps avoid scratches on the car body. Now, with more driving experience, I’ve come to appreciate it even more: this method isn’t just for parking—it works in any tight space, like residential areas or parking lots. The key is making a big initial move but smaller adjustments later, which helps beginners get the hang of it faster.

[DeNova]

The 'wide turn, narrow return' technique in reverse parking is a classic maneuvering method. Its essence lies in making larger steering wheel movements initially to expand the adjustment range, followed by smaller movements to align the vehicle perfectly. Here's the explanation: When reversing, first turn the steering wheel significantly (wide turn) to swing the rear of the car towards the wider direction, creating adjustment space; then make smaller counter-steering movements (narrow return) to achieve precise alignment with the parking space. This method leverages the rear-wheel steering characteristics of vehicles, effectively preventing misjudgments or collisions during reverse parking, making it ideal for practice. During demonstrations, I typically emphasize the rhythm of movements: start with bold actions for quick positioning, then finish with subtle adjustments for safe completion. You can practice this technique several times in an empty space to improve proficiency.