What is the distance for reverse parking?

[DelAshley]

The optimal distance between the corner of the parking space and the vehicle body during reverse parking is 30cm. Additional information about reverse parking is as follows: Introduction: 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 one of the evaluation points in the driver's test, which involves correctly reversing the vehicle into the parking space from both sides while in motion. Parking Methods: There are three most common types of reverse parking. The first is the "non"-shaped reverse parking, commonly found in large shopping malls. The second is the roadside "one"-shaped reverse parking, also known as parallel parking. The third is the less common diagonal reverse parking.

[TravisMarie]

I remember I've been driving for almost twenty years, and there's really no fixed number for the distance needed to reverse into a parking space. It mainly depends on the size of your car and the width of the parking spot. My compact car is about 4.5 meters long, and I usually leave about 6 to 7 meters of space when reversing. This makes steering easier and allows for better position adjustments. If there are other cars blocking the sides of the parking space, I need to back up an extra half meter to avoid hitting them. The key is to take it slow—no sudden stops or starts—and use the rearview mirror to gauge the distance behind. By the way, different car models vary a lot: SUVs are taller and longer, requiring at least 7 meters or more for reversing; compact cars can manage with less but shouldn’t go below 5 meters. Through practice, I’ve found that doing a few trial runs in an empty parking lot is super helpful to get a feel for it, especially for beginners who often overlook spatial awareness. Bottom line: safety first. Leave enough space and don’t rush to save time—taking the trouble to park properly is much cheaper and less stressful than dealing with scratches and repairs.

[DiJocelyn]

As a new driver who just got my license, I'm still struggling with reverse parking. My instructor said the operating distance should ideally be 1 to 1.5 meters longer than your car's length. My compact sedan is about 4 meters long, and now I've developed the habit of starting to reverse from about 6 meters in front of the parking space, slowly backing up. Sometimes if the angle isn't aligned properly, I veer off and have to start over several times. I remember during practice at the driving school parking lot last time, I was so focused on checking the rearview mirror that I forgot about distance control, resulting in the rear wheel scraping against the curb - luckily the instructor stopped me in time. It's recommended to use the reversing camera more often as an aid; that thing really helps a lot. Another practical tip is to use ground markings: parking space lines are usually about 5 meters long, and aligning your car body with them makes entry easier. My current practice routine is doing two weekly sessions in empty community parking spots, always leaving ample margin for error - safety should never be compromised.

[ElliotLee]

Insufficient distance when reversing into a parking space can be dangerous. I've seen too many people hit walls or cars behind them because they were too close. The basic advice is to leave at least 1.5 meters of space beyond your car's length – I drive a 4.2-meter compact car and usually start reversing when I'm about 5 meters away from the parking spot. For safety, environmental factors are crucial: for example, in rainy conditions or at night with poor lighting, increase the distance to 7 meters to prevent accidents; if there's a children's play area near the parking space, be even more cautious and leave extra space. In practice, combine this with a reversing radar or camera, which provides real-time alerts when approaching obstacles. From my personal experience: develop the habit of glancing sideways a couple more times while reversing to ensure sufficient buffer space. Don't underestimate those extra few centimeters – even a small difference can easily lead to an accident. With more practice, you'll naturally get the hang of it, but always adhere to safety principles.