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Original poster

Did I have enough space to reverse

258 replies

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 12:43

Big white van was parked where the green dots are. I was parked where the red dots were.

I was trying to reverse but I couldn't. Van driver moved a little but then said I had enough room to get out. I honestly don't know if I'm just a bad driver or I needed that much space. He ended up moving and I got out.

Did I have enough space to reverse
OP posts:
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Northerngirl821 · 31/01/2026 12:59

It’s the steering that matters, not the size of the car. In a car with front wheel steering you can manoeuvre better driving out of the space than reversing out, which means you need less space to turn.

If you reverse out then you have to get nearly the full length of the car out of the space before you can start to turn.

cardibach · 31/01/2026 12:58

StasisMom · 31/01/2026 12:55

Because then you’re going forwards, not having to look behind you check mirrors etc. It is easier, honestly.

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Whether it’s easier or not is down to personal preference really. But it doesn’t change the length of the car or the swing it needs so doesn’t affect the space needed.
From that picture there’s acres of space. At worst you might have to reverse and then move forward and reverse again, but it doesn’t look like that would be necessary.

Wonderbug81 · 31/01/2026 12:58

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 12:43

Big white van was parked where the green dots are. I was parked where the red dots were.

I was trying to reverse but I couldn't. Van driver moved a little but then said I had enough room to get out. I honestly don't know if I'm just a bad driver or I needed that much space. He ended up moving and I got out.

Was any of the van parked off the edge of the green dots e.g. onto the road itself? The dots as you have them look quite narrow for a large van. If so I can see that might affect you getting out.

AlcoholicAntibiotic · 31/01/2026 12:58

NoWordForFluffy · 31/01/2026 12:54

Which space were you actually in, as you've marked 3?

Was the van just on the path or part on the road?

I was wondering that.

If you need to take up 3 spaces you’re definitely a poor parker.

GreySkyCloud · 31/01/2026 12:57

There is a lot of space to reverse in that image, even if the van was slightly on the road.

If you had reversing camera's then even better as you can really 'see' the amount of space behind you and use less moves to get out.

As PP said though, much better to reverse in where possible as driving out you can see everything and incoming traffic.

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 31/01/2026 12:56

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 12:48

Why reverse park... It doesn't change the shape of the car.

It's better for the car too , if you start and go into first gear.
When I did visits , I always reversed in , had to put bags on the back seat sometimes . Much safer to make a quick exit if need be

CremeEggsForBreakfast · 31/01/2026 12:56

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 12:49

No it was a huge van parked on the pavement

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If it was parked on the pavement and not obstructing the road then how was it preventing you from reversing?

INeedAnotherName · 31/01/2026 12:55

Plenty of room. Might have to do a three point turn but that's normal.

Could you have pulled out the other way and turned around further up? I've done that before rather than struggle.

Valentinny · 31/01/2026 12:55

Yes, to be honest plenty of space.

StasisMom · 31/01/2026 12:55

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 12:48

Why reverse park... It doesn't change the shape of the car.

Because then you’re going forwards, not having to look behind you check mirrors etc. It is easier, honestly.

Ilovemyshed · 31/01/2026 12:55

A two lane road? Absolutely loads of space unless you were driving a bus. May I suggest some more driving lessons could be helpful OP. Also, much easier to reverse in and drive out of a space.

Tableforjoan · 31/01/2026 12:55

He was on the pavement? Then yes is a you problem.

NoWordForFluffy · 31/01/2026 12:54

Which space were you actually in, as you've marked 3?

Was the van just on the path or part on the road?

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 31/01/2026 12:53

Reverse in is optimum but what if you need to open your boot to get things out ? You need that space . ( And to get things back , before someone says "oh empty the boot and move back" you'd have this in reverse )

Reversing out under pressure is worse . If you have unlimited time and no-one watching you can edge of of a tiny space .

CoolFineDoneWicked · 31/01/2026 12:53

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 12:49

No it was a huge van parked on the pavement

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So you would have gone up on the pavement if he wasn't there? You need to get better at maneouvring if so.

Roundtoedshoes · 31/01/2026 12:53

You reverse park as you don’t know what will be opposite when you go to leave. What if the van driver had not been there? Of course it makes a difference to park facing outwards for exit!

McSpoot · 31/01/2026 12:51

Looks like more than enough space.

HolesInTheAlbertHall · 31/01/2026 12:51

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 12:48

Why reverse park... It doesn't change the shape of the car.

Because then you don't get stuck if something does park close to you.

The fact you don't see the benefit of reverse parking makes me think you are a poor parker. And from that picture there is lots of space.

TheCurious0range · 31/01/2026 12:51

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 12:48

Why reverse park... It doesn't change the shape of the car.

So you can see clearly when pulling out onto a road with traffic as opposed to reversing out. When you reverse into a parking space there's nothing else in it or about to be.

Yes that's loads of space to get out of there.

Gizlotsmum · 31/01/2026 12:51

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 12:48

Why reverse park... It doesn't change the shape of the car.

It doesn’t but it does give better visibility and more manoeuvrable

holjam · 31/01/2026 12:51

I would have said yes loads of space to reverse out

DollopOfFun · 31/01/2026 12:50

It's far easier to reverse park into spaces like that. But yes, it does look like you would have had ample space to reverse out of?

Hiptothisjive · 31/01/2026 12:50

Plenty of space. Reversing can be easier to exit a space from if space is tight.

BudgetBuster · 31/01/2026 12:50

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 12:48

Why reverse park... It doesn't change the shape of the car.

Because it means you aren't reversing out of the space, potentially into oncoming traffic.

There is absolutely loads of room to reverse in what you've described. Unless you have a big van of your own?

Original poster
YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 12:50

Whaleandsnail6 · 31/01/2026 12:49

I just feel like I'm more confident driving out of spaces forwards rather than reversing.

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Yeah but then you have to reverse in....and that causes issues as well. I have no issues reversing out as disability to clear from where I'm sitting and I have reversing sensors. I find it easier just to swing in..

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