Did I have enough space to reverse

[YourJadeSquid]

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.

This with bells on. Your car is steered from the front. If you drive out you can begin your turn as you exit the space. If you reverse out you can’t begin turning until you have exited the space at least partly reducing the room you have to manoeuvre and complete the turn

Looking at the image you posted can’t see how you feasibly struggled to get out either way. There’s ample room

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.

I was always taught to reverse park, but I notice that younger colleagues always drive straight in. Saying that, they all drive new cars with the parking beeping and/or cameras. I've had them in hire cars and can't bear them. Does anyone know if young people can sit their test in a car with the beeps? (What's the real name??).

Reversing in is generally easier as the turning wheels are on the outside of the manoeuvre an so you get more “pivot” into the space. Safer to reverse into a smaller confined space you can confirm is clear, rather than reverse out which might be into the path of a person, car etc. not so great if you need to access the boot, that’s true.

Which rule is this?

Drive straight off with barely turning

It's not law to reverse park.

Yes, plenty of space

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.

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

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

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

I could reverse out of that space

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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