Will points be deducted for one side being wider than the other during the reverse parking test in Subject 2?
3 Answers
According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," having one side wider than the other during the reverse parking test in Subject 2 will not result in point deductions. During the reverse parking maneuver, the distance between the left and right sides is not a criterion for point deductions. As long as neither side of the vehicle crosses the boundary lines, no points will be deducted. Once the rear of the vehicle enters the parking space, avoid frequent steering adjustments. Maintain consistent speed when reversing into and exiting the parking space to better control the vehicle's direction. Point deduction items for the reverse parking test in Subject 2 include: not following the prescribed route or sequence (100 points deducted), the vehicle body crossing the boundary lines (100 points deducted), failing to fully enter the parking space (100 points deducted), and stopping midway (100 points deducted). Other point deduction items in the Subject 2 test include: not wearing a seatbelt (100 points deducted), not having the gear in neutral when starting the engine (100 points deducted), not using turn signals (including when starting, changing lanes, overtaking, turning, or parking by the roadside), using turn signals for less than three seconds, forgetting to turn off turn signals, or incorrect use of turn signals (10 points deducted each). Key points for the reverse parking test in Subject 2: Engage reverse gear, keep the steering wheel turned to the leftmost position, and reverse the vehicle; the driver should observe the left rearview mirror and adjust the direction to guide the rear of the vehicle into the parking space; once the vehicle is in the parking space, the driver should observe the right rearview mirror and straighten the steering wheel immediately upon seeing the entire right boundary line of the parking space; then, shift focus to the left rearview mirror and stop immediately when the left door handle aligns horizontally with the bottom line of the parking space. Point deduction items for other tests in Subject 2 are as follows: Parallel parking: After the vehicle stops in the parking space, if the body crosses the boundary lines (100 points deducted); exceeding the time limit for completing the task (100 points deducted); wheels touching the lane boundary lines while moving (10 points deducted); body touching the parking space boundary lines while moving (10 points deducted); not using or incorrectly using turn signals when exiting the parking space (10 points deducted); stopping midway (5 points deducted). Curve driving: Wheels touching the road edge lines (100 points deducted); stopping midway (100 points deducted). 90-degree turn: Wheels touching the road edge lines (100 points deducted); not using or incorrectly using turn signals during the turn, or not turning off turn signals after the turn (10 points deducted); stopping midway (5 points deducted). Slope parking and starting: After the vehicle stops, if the front bumper of the car or the front axle of the motorcycle is not aligned with the pole line and exceeds 50 cm (100 points deducted); after the vehicle stops, if the body is more than 50 cm away from the roadside line (100 points deducted); exceeding the time limit for starting (100 points deducted); after the vehicle stops, if the front bumper of the car or the front axle of the motorcycle is not aligned with the pole line but does not exceed 50 cm (10 points deducted); after the vehicle stops, if the body is more than 30 cm but not more than 50 cm away from the roadside line (10 points deducted); not tightening the parking brake after stopping (10 points deducted).
Recently, while taking the driving test for Subject 2, the instructor repeatedly emphasized that during reverse parking, the vehicle must be centered and parked parallel. Having one side too wide and the other too narrow will definitely result in point deductions during the exam. I encountered this issue during practice—the car was too far to the left, leaving a large gap on the right, and during the mock test, I was penalized 5 points for inaccurate vehicle positioning. The examiner checks that the vehicle must be symmetrically parked within the bay, with no wheels over the lines and no tilting of the body. It’s recommended that beginners pay extra attention to adjusting the rearview mirror angles, reverse slowly to align with the entrance first, and then adjust the steering wheel. Practicing reverse parking in an open area using water bottles as markers is highly effective. After developing this habit, my reverse parking became much more stable, helping me avoid exam mistakes and improving driving safety.
As a beginner learning to drive, the reverse parking in Subject 2 is the most headache-inducing part for me. I always worry about one side being too wide and the other too narrow, which would lead to point deductions. After asking a few friends who have passed the test, they all said this issue would definitely affect the score because the exam standards require the vehicle to be centered in the parking space without any deviation. Otherwise, even if you don't cross the line, you'll be penalized for incorrect positioning. My instructor mentioned that the maximum deduction for this would be around 10 points, possibly due to steering too late or improperly adjusted mirrors. He suggested practicing with a partner to help check the external distance and improve the sense of left-right balance. Staying relaxed during the exam is crucial—don't let this detail disrupt your rhythm. Watching short videos to learn techniques in daily practice can also help you master the essentials of reverse parking more quickly.
