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Reversing In & Driving Out of a Parking Space
January 27, 2023 at 4:26 PM
What steps to take when reversing into a parking space
Reversing into a parking space is not the easiest thing to learn but by far the safest parking option. When approaching a suitable carpark to reverse into, the first thing we should do is check our rear vision mirror, so we are aware of what’s behind us. We will do this well before we come to our stop. Once stopped, we indicate to the right and select reverse. We do a 360-degree check to make sure we are well aware of what is all around us. While we are doing this, we slowly start reversing, turning our steering wheel to the right. We keep checking all around us 360 degrees. We must keep an eye on the front of our car to make sure the front is not going to hit anything while we are turning the wheel. If our car had a reversing camera, we could use that too. Once we start to get into the parking space, we can check our outer left and right side mirrors to make sure we are centred in our parking space. We can do this by looking at the distance from the cars if possible by guiding ourselves by the painted white lines. If there is another car behind us, we may be able to use the cars reversing beeper to judge our distance from the other car, otherwise, we have to judge it by looking behind us. Once we have stopped, we put the car in park and pull the handbrake up.
What steps to take when coming forwards out of a parking space
When coming forwards out of the parking space, we release the handbrake and put the car in drive. We do a 360-degree check all around us to make sure we are aware of what is happening. We slowly inch forward and focus mostly on the front to make sure it is safe to keep moving forward. As we move forward we start moving the steering wheel towards the right. We keep moving very slowly, so we have plenty of time to keep checking to make sure it is safe. Once we straighten up, we can pick up some speed if it is safe to do so and check our rear vision mirror, so we know what’s behind us.
FAQs
1) Why is reversing into a bay safer than driving in nose-first?
Backing in lets you drive out with a clear view of pedestrians, cyclists, and traffic. It reduces blind spots on exit, shortens the time you spend reversing in live lanes, and keeps your car’s front overhang away from hazards while you line up the bay.
2) What’s the correct sequence to reverse into a parking space?
Mirror check → stop and indicate right → select reverse → 360° check → roll back slowly → steer towards the bay while protecting your front corners → use side mirrors/lines to centre → straighten wheels → stop, park, handbrake. Keep scanning throughout and stop if anyone enters your path.
3) Should I rely on the reversing camera or sensors?
Use them as aids only. Maintain direct observation: rear window, side mirrors, and frequent shoulder checks. Cameras can distort distance; sensors may miss low or narrow objects. If in doubt, pause and re-check.
4) How do I judge clearance from adjacent cars and the rear boundary?
Use the bay lines in your mirrors to keep equal spacing, glance along the door handles/side panels to stay parallel, and stop early if unsure. Don’t use another car’s reverse beeper as your main guide — verify visually.
5) What common mistakes should I avoid when reversing into a bay?
Turning too late/too wide, swinging the front into an obstacle, rushing, staring only at the camera, and failing to re-check for pedestrians and trolleys. Keep speed at walking pace and make small steering corrections.
6) How do I drive out of the bay safely?
Handbrake off → select drive → 360° check → creep forward protecting your front corners, then steer into your exit line. Pause if sightlines are blocked by SUVs/vans; ease forward incrementally until you can see, then proceed when it’s unmistakably safe.
7) Any tips for tight or angled bays?
Start a touch wider before you swing in, aim for a single clean arc, and reset if the angle’s off: pull forward to open the turn, then try again — cleaner is safer than forcing it.
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