It is almost inevitable that you occasionally have to reverse your car. Most people drive forward into a parking space and back out again. But once you know how to reverse into parking, you'll find that it's so much easier to pull right back out. This is a skill you can learn, and you will need to practice a lot in a quiet place. If you have practiced well and mastered the skill, you can always park anywhere.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Reverse parking the car
Step 1. Drive past the empty parking space
While doing this, turn on your turn signal so cars behind you know to drive around you. The clearing should be on your right. Your rear bumper must be past the line of the parking space you want to park in.
Make sure there are no pedestrians behind you before backing up
Step 2. Put the car in reverse
Turn your steering wheel all the way to the right before you accelerate. Gently press the accelerator pedal and let the car reverse. Because your steering wheel is turned to the right, the car will turn left when it's in reverse.
- Keep checking your mirrors for any pedestrians, and pay attention to the corners of the cars in the adjacent parking spaces.
- Continue backing to the left until the car is parallel to the parking space, with equal space on both sides. When you are parallel, brake and let the car come to a stop. Turn your steering wheel so that the wheels are straight.
Step 3. Back up into the parking space
Check your mirrors to make sure you have plenty of room on both sides. Do not back up if there are people behind you. Now slowly back up into the parking space.
Take it easy. Keep looking in your mirrors and drive out of the box again if you get too close to one of the cars next to you
Step 4. Park your car properly
Keep stabbing back and forth, back and forth, to get the car in the right place. You should have about the same amount of space on both sides. When the car is safely parked, turn off the engine.
Step 5. Get out of the car
Open your door slightly to see if you have enough space to get out. You may not be able to open the door all the way when you get out. Don't open the door too hard or you could damage the car next to you. When you're out, lock the car and you can go.
Step 6. Leave your parking spot
Start the car and put it in first gear or forward. Drive a little forward. Bend over to see if pedestrians or other cars are approaching. Keep driving out of the parking space until your rear bumper is past the cars next to you.
Indicate the direction, turn your steering wheel in the direction you want to drive, and accelerate
Method 2 of 3: Queue parking
Step 1. Find an empty parking space
Make sure the spot is big enough for your car. The spot must be at least 25% longer than your car. Check that there is no yellow stripe on the curb, and that it is not a disabled space.
Step 2. Indicate direction to the right
Then cars behind you know to drive around you. Stand next to the car in front of the empty space. You should be as close to this car as possible, no more than 1 foot away from it. Make sure the front of your car is as far away from the car next to you as the back of your car (you can't stand diagonally next to the other car).
Step 3. Put your car in reverse
Slowly back up until your head is parallel to the steering wheel of the car next to you. Brake and stop the car. Turn your handlebars clockwise as far as possible. Look as far as you can over your left shoulder and back up again. Keep backing up until you can see the front wheels of the car behind you in your right mirror.
Your car is now at a 45-degree angle in the parking space. Brake and let the car come to a stop
Step 4. Now turn your steering wheel all the way counterclockwise
Do this with your foot on the brake. If you can't turn your steering wheel any further, back up gently again. Look forwards and backwards so you don't hit the car in front of or behind you.
Step 5. Continue to the back until you are parked
If you hit the curb, or get too close to the car behind you, turn your steering wheel to the right and slowly drive forward again. Steer the car in the correct position.
Step 6. Get out of your car
Leave space in front of and behind your car so that you and others can still leave the parking spaces. If you are parked very far forward or back, you may find it harder to get out of your spot, so leave some space. If you've done it right, you'll be no further than 12 inches from the sidewalk.
Method 3 of 3: Leaving your parking space
Step 1. Start your car
Put your car in reverse and drive 25 to 30 cm backwards. Do this very slowly and look in your rear view mirror so you don't hit the car behind you. Apply the brake and stop the car. Turn on your turn signal to the left before driving.
Step 2. Turn your handlebars as far to the left as possible
Drive slowly forward. Your car is now driving to the left. Do this until the car is in the parking space at a 45-degree angle. Always check your side and rear view mirrors first. Apply the brake and stop the car.
Step 3. Turn your handlebars until your tires are straight
Drive gently forward, looking left and right to see if any cars are approaching. Drive forward until your rear bumper is past the car in front of you.
Step 4. Turn your handlebars back to the left
Accelerate and exit the parking space. Make sure you don't hit the cars parked to your right.
Tips
- Practice in a quiet place, such as in the driveway or in an empty parking lot. Place some pawns where there are supposedly cars. Then you only drive over a pawn if you make a mistake and you don't damage other cars.
- Always look in your mirrors several times.
- Don't forget to signal when entering or exiting a parking space.
Warnings
- Don't park backwards if you haven't practiced it in a quiet place first. You don't want to damage other cars.
- Always fasten your seat belt and never drive an uninsured car.