
When starting to reverse, observe when the lower edge of the left rearview mirror touches the stop line, then turn the steering wheel fully to the left/right and slowly reverse. During the reversing process, observe the distance between the car body and the parking space corner in the rearview mirror, which should be about 30cm (approximately two finger widths). At this point, you can turn the steering wheel back one full turn. Similarly, observe the relationship between the car body and the parking space lines in the rearview mirror. When they are about to become parallel, straighten the steering wheel. After the car body is parallel, continue reversing until the lower edge of the left rearview mirror aligns with the parking space entrance line, then press the brake and clutch to stop.

I'm the perfect person to talk about this three-dashed-line reverse parking method—I practiced it for a full two weeks at driving school before my Subject 2 exam. Remember, first align the distance, keeping the car about 1.5 meters from the side line for the most stability. Slowly release the clutch to control speed, and when the left rearview mirror just covers the end of the first dashed line on the ground (or the third line in some test centers), turn the steering wheel hard right. The key is to watch the right rearview mirror—when you see the corner of the parking space, the car should be about 30 cm away from it, then don’t adjust. If it’s too close, quickly turn the wheel back halfway to correct. Once the right parking line in the mirror is almost parallel, immediately straighten the wheel to the left. Finally, use the left rearview mirror to align parallel and brake at the stopping point. The key is to go slow and steady, with decisive steering wheel movements. Practice a few more times to find that golden moment to turn the wheel hard.

I taught my young neighbor the three-dashed-line method for reverse parking, and he picked it up quickly. Adjusting the seat and mirrors properly before starting is essential—make sure you can see the rear door handle in the mirrors. Start slowly, and when the left mirror frame completely covers the first or third dashed line (varies by test site), immediately turn the steering wheel all the way to the right without hesitation. Focus on the right mirror to gauge the distance between the car body and the corner of the parking space—if it’s less than 30 cm, turn the wheel half a turn left to adjust. Once the car body aligns with the parking line, quickly straighten the wheel. Don’t relax after entering the space—use the left mirror to adjust the car’s position and stop when your shoulder reaches the pole. Have someone watch the distance during practice, and after a few tries, you’ll master the timing for full turns—it’s actually much simpler than using the door handle as a reference.

My coach taught me the three-dashed line method, which is super practical. Start with the car body 1.5 meters away from the side line and control the speed! When the lower edge of the left rearview mirror touches the outer edge of the first dashed line (some people watch the third one), turn the steering wheel all the way to the right. Keep your eyes on the right rearview mirror, focusing on the gap between the rear of the car and the corner of the parking space. If you notice the gap is too narrow, immediately turn the steering wheel back half a turn to correct it. When the car body is about to be parallel, straighten the steering wheel in advance. After entering the parking space, continue to adjust the car angle by looking at the left rearview mirror. The stopping position is determined by aligning your shoulder with the pole. Actually, each driving school has slight adjustments to the reference points, but the key is to practice more to find the feel.


