Which is more difficult, curve driving or reverse parking?
3 Answers
Reverse parking is more difficult than curve driving, but both can be mastered with practice. Introduction to Reverse Parking: Reverse parking has been a mandatory test item for obtaining a small car driver's license since 2013, mainly assessing the driver's ability to maneuver the vehicle in a confined space. It is one of the assessment points in the driver's test, requiring candidates to correctly reverse the vehicle into a parking space from both sides while in motion. Introduction to Subject 2: Subject 2, also known as the small road test, is part of the motor vehicle driver's license examination and refers to the field driving skills test. The C1/C2 car test includes five compulsory items: reverse parking, parallel parking, hill start, right-angle turn, and curve driving.
I think reversing into the parking space is more challenging. When I first started learning to drive, although curve driving involved more turns, the car was moving forward, and controlling the steering wheel felt more intuitive. Reversing into the parking space is completely different—you can't see behind you while sitting in the car, relying entirely on mirrors and instinct. I failed the test once because the car was crooked and crossed the line. The instructor said poor spatial awareness is common among beginners. As for curve driving, just adjust the speed properly—if you go too fast, you might lose control, especially in the rain when you need to anticipate early. Even after much practice, I'm still cautious about reversing, worried about scraping. I recommend beginners use more auxiliary tools or ask someone to guide them. Reversing accidents are more common in daily life, so more practice is needed to reduce fear.
After decades of driving, I find parallel parking surprisingly easier now. Navigating curves in congested urban areas is challenging, requiring constant swerving to avoid pedestrians and e-bikes—even slight carelessness may cause scratches. While I often failed at reverse parking in my youth, now I can align perfectly with my eyes closed. Extreme weather makes parking maneuvers more controllable; whereas curved icy roads pose high tire-slip risks. Recalling the driving test, precision errors plagued my parking attempts, while curves only demanded speed management for smoother execution. Difficulty varies by individual—parking poses initial challenges, but curves test adaptability more. With practice, the gap between the two narrows significantly.
