Page 6 | Did I have enough space to reverse

YourJadeSquid · 2026-01-31T12:43:52+00:00

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.

B1anche · 31/01/2026 14:21

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 14:19

Visibility of what? Hitting pedestrians or cars? Sorry just trying to imagine it.

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Seriously? How long have you been driving? I can't be the only one who finds it frightening that you are asking this question

WrigglyDonCat · 31/01/2026 14:20

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 12:48

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

It does change how a car moves though - it makes a difference if you are leading with the non-steering wheels. When you do you are able to be more precise and get into tighter spaces.

Why do you think we reverse parallel park into small spaces? Because you can't get into them forwards... Also why do forklifts steer with the rear wheels? Because it makes a difference when you need to be very accurate positioning the forks at the front.

Original poster

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 14:20

Oriunda · 31/01/2026 14:19

I always reverse park. My DH just can’t do it and drives in; when I need to get the car out of garage and he was the last person using the car, it always takes me much longer to get out, since I have to reverse out almost fully from the tight garage before I then perform multiple manoeuvres in a narrow underground space.

Learning to reverse park should be an essential skill.

I can do it, just don't. Maybe I should, but I tend to be ok

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Original poster

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 14:20

Oriunda · 31/01/2026 14:19

I always reverse park. My DH just can’t do it and drives in; when I need to get the car out of garage and he was the last person using the car, it always takes me much longer to get out, since I have to reverse out almost fully from the tight garage before I then perform multiple manoeuvres in a narrow underground space.

Learning to reverse park should be an essential skill.

I think people drive too close to reverse park, so I just swing in. I parallel park on the right side of the road outside my house.

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Oriunda · 31/01/2026 14:19

I always reverse park. My DH just can’t do it and drives in; when I need to get the car out of garage and he was the last person using the car, it always takes me much longer to get out, since I have to reverse out almost fully from the tight garage before I then perform multiple manoeuvres in a narrow underground space.

Learning to reverse park should be an essential skill.

Original poster

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 14:19

AlbieJiggered · 31/01/2026 14:18

I agree. Reversing into a space is much easier because you have more control of the steering. Reversing out in a long car is trickier because you don't have good visibility as you pull out.

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Visibility of what? Hitting pedestrians or cars? Sorry just trying to imagine it.

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Original poster

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 14:18

Justlovedogs · 31/01/2026 14:14

This situation is a daily occurrence in my work car park. Whether you drive or reverse in, it takes a bit of back and forth to get in or out, but it's doable.
@YourJadeSquid your example looks doable to me, but it might have taken a bit of time and patience. These parking scenarios are why I love parking sensors

Yeah I think I just cbf and the van was parked in a bad spot and I had to get out quickly.

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marshmallowfluffster · 31/01/2026 14:18

helpfulperson · 31/01/2026 14:06

That is a horrendous car park. I'm surprised people can get out of their cars having parked them. I'd be walking a fair distance before I faffed around trying to get parked in there.

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To add to the joy, it’s the hospital. And there isn’t enough spaces so it’s park or.. don’t

AlbieJiggered · 31/01/2026 14:18

TheMorgenmuffel · 31/01/2026 14:09

it is far safer to reverse into a space and drive out forwards.

When you reverse in, you can see all around you. People can see you reversing into a space and are happier to wait.

When you reverse out, you have to stick yourself out a bit before you can see the road. It is more risky than going out forwards where you can see what's going on straight away.

It's a bit concerning that any driver would not understand that tbh, it's basic road safety and awareness. Even if someone chooses not to / is not competent to do so - they should still understand that it is safer and why.

I agree. Reversing into a space is much easier because you have more control of the steering. Reversing out in a long car is trickier because you don't have good visibility as you pull out.

Justlovedogs · 31/01/2026 14:14

This situation is a daily occurrence in my work car park. Whether you drive or reverse in, it takes a bit of back and forth to get in or out, but it's doable.
@YourJadeSquid your example looks doable to me, but it might have taken a bit of time and patience. These parking scenarios are why I love parking sensors

FlorenceBlack · 31/01/2026 14:11

The other thing with reverse parking is that you can see the cars parked either side of you and judge how big the gap is. If you go in forwards it might look like a ‘good’ space, maybe there’s only one car immediately next to you and no one parked behind you, but then you come back two hours later and you’ve got a car each side and one behind you and now that good space isn’t as driver-friendly and you know you’re going to struggle to reverse out. Even worse if one of the other cars is big and/or has tinted windows so you can’t see if there’s oncoming traffic or pedestrians.

rebeccachoc · 31/01/2026 14:11

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 14:04

Which way would you go and which car would you be and who would you do it

I hope you take this is the genuine way it is meant. Us telling you won't help you, you need to learn to make these decisions for yourself at the time. Can I suggest getting an hour with a driving instructor and just say you want to build your confidence on parking? I'm sure 99% will say yes.

MrsMurphyIWish · 31/01/2026 14:10

Plenty of space. And I drive an 08 plate, no parking sensors and fucked power steering.

TheMorgenmuffel · 31/01/2026 14:09

it is far safer to reverse into a space and drive out forwards.

When you reverse in, you can see all around you. People can see you reversing into a space and are happier to wait.

When you reverse out, you have to stick yourself out a bit before you can see the road. It is more risky than going out forwards where you can see what's going on straight away.

It's a bit concerning that any driver would not understand that tbh, it's basic road safety and awareness. Even if someone chooses not to / is not competent to do so - they should still understand that it is safer and why.

OneFootAfterTheOther · 31/01/2026 14:09

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 12:48

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

Because the turntable wheels of a car are not in the middle. So if you are able to reverse in you can always get out.

AnSolas · 31/01/2026 14:07

Ewock · 31/01/2026 13:55

Lots of room to reverse, you had 2 lanes. Reversing in means pulling out is easier as you have better visibility and you can start the turn sooner so needing less space. Its also better safety wise. My dh work carpark have put in place that all cars have to reverse in, due to accidents that happened. Not sure how they enforce it but everyone follows it. I find reverse parking much easier than going in forward.

Went for a group interview once and the guy who walked in behind me was asked to repark properly ....

itsthetea · 31/01/2026 14:07

Get yourself a toy car and practise moving it around

for the driving test you keep on your side of the road, drive past the bay you want to go into and then reverse turning

it’s often easier to go a bit wider and so turn less sharply

yiu need to get to a quiet car and practise

helpfulperson · 31/01/2026 14:06

marshmallowfluffster · 31/01/2026 13:31

It looks ok but I guess it’s deceiving sometimes as
this is the one I could not get into a space, reversing or not the other week. My dad has HGV driving experience and gave up so I took it as I wasn’t being pathetic!

That is a horrendous car park. I'm surprised people can get out of their cars having parked them. I'd be walking a fair distance before I faffed around trying to get parked in there.

Ewock · 31/01/2026 14:06

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 13:59

It's not law to reverse park.

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Yeah I never said it was. I said my dhs work enforce it, if people dont like it they can't park in that car park, as its private property they can decide on the rules.
As a pp said it does say in the highway code about reversing in. I was taught to reverse park but that was 30 years ago. For me its easier and much safer.

gallivantsaregood · 31/01/2026 14:05

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 13:59

It's not law to reverse park.

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Not law, but makes a lot of sense and is safer.

Original poster

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 14:04

Which way would you go and which car would you be and who would you do it

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AgnesMcDoo · 31/01/2026 14:04

I could reverse out of that space

itsthetea · 31/01/2026 14:03

Reverse parking into a bay is certainly part of the driving test

if you would fail the driving test you should not be driving

Jellybunny56 · 31/01/2026 14:02

Yes plenty of space to reverse out, you basically had 2 lanes of space to reverse out

NemesisInferior · 31/01/2026 14:02

YourJadeSquid · 31/01/2026 12:48

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

It changes which end of the car is swinging out though and how much visability you have.

If you had what basically looks like the width of an normal 2 way road, that should be plenty space.