Which line should be aligned for reverse parking?
4 Answers
Between the second and third lines. Here are detailed explanations about the three lines in reverse parking: 1. Green line: In the reversing camera display, if objects haven't entered the green zone, it indicates there's still ample space for reversing, allowing confident reversing. 2. Yellow line: When objects enter the yellow zone during reversing, it means you should slow down as the distance between the vehicle and objects is about one meter. 3. Red line: The red line is closest to the rear of the vehicle. When objects enter the red zone, you must stop immediately as the distance between objects and the rear bumper is only 30cm at this point.
I just got the hang of parallel parking. The key is to watch the left rearview mirror and the position of the ground yellow lines. Usually, you start reversing once the front of the car passes the corner of the parking space. When the bottom of the left rearview mirror aligns with the dashed line at the entrance, quickly turn the steering wheel all the way to the right. Straighten the car body before returning the steering wheel, and be careful not to let the wheels cross the line. If the car body is crooked, don’t panic—just make small adjustments with the steering wheel. It took me over a month of practice at the driving school to master this rhythm. I recommend finding open spaces to practice and get a feel for the distance.
When taking the second driving test, the instructor always emphasized that the key to alignment lies in the timing of reversing. The standard procedure is to start reversing after the hood covers the third line, then turn the steering wheel sharply when the left rearview mirror aligns with the dotted line. Poorly adjusted mirrors can easily lead to mistakes, and seat height affects judgment. Being short, I had to use a seat cushion, otherwise I couldn't see that line at all. You also need to pay attention to the color contrast of the markings in the test area—once during practice, the faint lines almost made me hit a pole.
The reference lines for reverse parking are mainly the yellow dashed lines on the ground, and it's generally best to operate between the second and third lines. The safest time to turn the steering wheel is when the outer edge of the left rearview mirror aligns with the corner line of the parking space, with the wheel about 30 centimeters away from the corner. The most common mistake beginners make is missing that exact point—if the speed is slightly too fast, they won't have time to react. Remember what the student with the highest pass rate in our driving school said: memorizing the rhyme 'Mirror on line, wheel half-arm's length, slow and steady, don't touch the edge' works like a charm.
