What to do if the B2 reversing into the garage always hits the middle pole?

[MacColeman]

Hitting the middle pole is because you turn the steering wheel two full turns to the right too early, and the timing of turning the first turn back to the left is incorrect. The method for reversing into the garage is as follows: 1. Clutch: Press the clutch pedal with the front part of your foot, not the middle. Use your heel as a pivot to control the clutch. Generally, when the clutch is fully pressed, the position of your heel is not convenient as a pivot. In this case, you can move your entire foot back to find a suitable pivot. 2. Alignment: Observe the distance between the two rear corners of the car and the two rear poles of the garage. Turn the steering wheel toward the side that is farther away, usually turning half a turn, and quickly straighten the wheel once aligned. 3. Looking back: It's best to turn your head to the middle of the car. Ensure that each time you look back, your head is in the same position to accurately identify any errors. 4. Speed: This is crucial—the slower, the better. You should get the hang of it in about three days. Especially when turning the steering wheel, the clutch may move. Always be mindful of pressing the clutch.

[BraydenAnn]

Hitting the middle pole while reversing into the parking space is super common—I've seen it happen dozens of times when coaching friends. The main culprit? Turning the steering wheel too early! If you start straightening the wheel the moment the door handle passes the corner in the mirror, you’re guaranteed to clip the pole. Here’s a foolproof method: Focus on the side mirror closest to the middle pole—the instant the corner disappears from view, snap the wheel straight, then fine-tune once the tires enter the space. If your car keeps ending up crooked, intentionally park farther from the line to leave wiggle room. Golden rule: Better to turn half a second late than jump the gun, and always steer briskly, never sluggishly. When the lot’s empty, practice with water bottles as poles to study your tail swing—way more effective than rigidly memorizing reference points.

[RicardoRose]

Just dealt with this issue last week while teaching my cousin how to reverse park. Most people hit the center pole because they focus on the wrong reference point - staring at the pole while forgetting to monitor the wheel trajectory. You must fix your eyes on the rear wheel closest to the pole! Maintain a 30cm gap (about two finger widths in the side mirror) between the rear wheel and the corner of the parking space during reversing. If the gap narrows, counter-steer half a turn to adjust. Pro tip: When the rear barely fits into the space, immediately brake, shift to D gear, move forward half a meter, then retry - tested and proven effective. Practice the timing repeatedly with the training car to master it.

[Terrence]

I failed the B2 driving test three times because of hitting the middle pole. The core issue was the mismatch between speed and steering: turning the wheel too quickly while the car was moving too slowly, causing the rear to swing out and hit the pole. Try reversing with a bit of throttle to keep the car moving and steer more smoothly. When you see the middle pole in the rearview mirror, stop turning the wheel at three-quarters of its full range to leave some room for adjustment—it's safer than turning it all the way. Adjust the seat higher to get a better view of the right rear wheel for easier maneuvering. Wearing thin-soled shoes during practice helps you feel the clutch more precisely.