What to Do If You Can't Reverse Park or Parallel Park?
3 Answers
Learn to connect the methods taught in driving school with real-life situations, i.e., forming a parking space with the rear of the front car, the front of the rear car, and the road edge line. Estimate the size of the parking space, observe the left and right rearview mirrors, and quickly straighten the wheels when you see the right headlight of the rear car. Quickly straighten the direction and make slight adjustments. Master the operation procedures of parallel parking to develop relatively stable technical skills.
When I first started learning to drive, I was also afraid of reverse parking and parallel parking, thinking they were too difficult. My suggestion is to find an open space, such as an empty lot behind the neighborhood or a parking lot on weekends when it's empty. Place a few cardboard boxes or water bottles as markers and slowly try to reverse in. Don't aim for perfection on the first try—start with simpler spaces. Adjust the rearview mirrors to get a clear view of the angles behind you. The key is to maintain a steady speed and not go too fast. If you make a mistake, don't get discouraged. Analyze the reason, such as turning the steering wheel too late or too early. Remember, practicing during the day with good lighting and clear visibility is better for beginners. Have a friend sit in the passenger seat to guide you and gradually build confidence. Improve a little each time, and over time, you'll naturally master it. The key is to practice more and not just read about techniques. Safety first—during the process, learn about your car's wheelbase and steering characteristics.
As an experienced driver, I think parallel parking is actually not difficult. The key is to follow the steps properly. When approaching the garage entrance, drive the car at a 45-degree angle, then slowly reverse while closely monitoring the rearview mirror and adjusting the steering wheel based on the distance. Avoid turning the wheel too sharply. Perpendicular parking is even simpler - find a space slightly longer than your car, align with the front vehicle, start reversing with full steering lock, then straighten the wheel when you see the rear bumper of the following car in your mirror. During practice, use physical markers like curbs or small obstacles. Get used to combining rear window and mirror views. Don't worry about getting the angle wrong - just try a few more times. In daily operations, control clutch or brake pressure properly to avoid sudden starts/stops. Avoid practicing during rush hours - find a quiet road and practice for half an hour daily. Consistent practice for ten days brings noticeable improvement and reduces scratch risks.
