Why should the left reverse parking be initiated earlier than the right?
2 Answers
Left reverse parking should be initiated earlier than the right because the driver's position is on the left side of the vehicle, making the pivot point for left reverse parking closer to the driver. Generally, you can turn the steering wheel fully 10cm earlier for left reverse parking compared to the right. Alternatively, you can turn when the lower edge of the left rearview mirror aligns with the stop line, observe the narrowing distance between the rear wheel and the corner of the parking space in the mirror, and return one full turn of the steering wheel when the distance reaches 30cm. Below are the evaluation criteria for reverse parking: 1. Failure to follow the prescribed route or sequence results in disqualification. 2. The vehicle body touching the line or failing to park properly results in disqualification. 3. Exceeding 210 seconds without completing reverse parking results in disqualification. 4. Stopping midway deducts 5 points each time.
I've been driving for over a decade, and when reversing into a left parking space, you really need to turn the steering wheel in advance, mainly due to the vehicle's steering mechanism. When you reverse and turn the steering wheel to the left, the rear wheels turn to the right, causing the rear of the car to swing to the right, and the body gradually approaches the left parking space. Because the rear wheels are the dominant point when reversing, turning the wheel too late will cause the body to deviate too much, making it easy to scrape against nearby pillars or vehicles. In contrast, reversing into a right parking space by turning the wheel to the right feels more natural, as the rear swings to the left to align with the space, with less delay. A common mistake beginners make is poor timing, such as hesitating too much during driving school practice, leading to crossing lines or collisions. It's best to practice in an empty space to simulate the scenario, paying attention to the rearview mirrors and the car's position, which helps develop good habits, improve safety, and reduce garage accident rates.
