Reversing into a parking space feels awkward at first, but it's one of the most useful skills you can learn. It's safer when you leave, because you drive out forwards with a clear view of pedestrians and traffic, and you'll use it every week in shopping centre car parks and at home. This guide covers why reverse parking is worth learning, how to do it step by step, and how to handle tight and angled spaces.
Why reverse into a parking space?
- Safer exits. When it's time to leave, you drive out forwards with a full view of the road, the car park and anyone walking past.
- Better control in tight spaces. Your rear wheels pivot the car, so reversing in lets you get into a narrow space more accurately than driving in forwards.
- Quicker getaways. In a busy car park, you avoid reversing out into traffic you can't fully see.
- It's a test skill. Your NSW driving test may include a reverse parking manoeuvre, so practising now pays off.
Before you start
- Choose your space and check it's empty and legal to park in.
- Signal so other drivers know what you're doing.
- Check your mirrors and blind spots, and look out for pedestrians, especially children, who can be hard to see behind a car.
- Use your reversing camera and sensors if you have them, but don't rely on them alone. Keep looking over your shoulder and in your mirrors.
Reversing into a 90-degree space step by step
- Position the car. Drive past the space and stop when your rear bumper is about one and a half spaces past it, leaving roughly a metre between your car and the parked cars.
- Select reverse and check all around. Look over both shoulders and in all mirrors.
- Reverse slowly and turn the wheel fully towards the space as your rear wheels line up with the near edge of the space.
- Watch your mirrors. Use the side mirror on the space side to check your distance from the parked car or line, and the other mirror to watch the front of your car swing out.
- Straighten up when the car is parallel to the space lines, then reverse straight back.
- Stop when your car is fully inside the space, centred between the lines and not hanging out at the front.
- Secure the car. Apply the park brake and select park in an automatic.
Angle parking
Many streets and car parks in Sydney use angle parking, usually marked at 45 or 60 degrees. In NSW, you must park at the angle shown by the signs or road markings. Unless a sign says otherwise, angle parking on a street means driving in forwards, so check the signs before you reverse in. To drive into an angled space, indicate, slow right down, check for pedestrians and turn in smoothly so the car finishes centred in the bay.
Tight spaces, slopes and other challenges
- Narrow spaces: go slower than you think you need to, and take a second attempt if you need to. Nobody minds a quick correction.
- Sloping driveways and car parks: use the brake to control your speed rather than the accelerator, and apply the park brake firmly when you stop.
- Multi-level car parks: watch for pillars, which are easy to clip with the rear corner of the car.
- Busy car parks: be patient with other drivers and pedestrians, and don't let pressure rush you.
Common mistakes
- Reversing too fast, which leaves no time to correct your position.
- Starting to turn too early or too late, so the car ends up crooked or too close to one side.
- Watching only the camera and missing a pedestrian or pole.
- Forgetting to check that the front of the car is clear as it swings out.
Frequently asked questions
Why is it better to reverse into a parking space?
You drive out forwards with a full view of the road, the car park and anyone walking past. Reversing in also gives you better control in tight spaces, because the rear wheels pivot the car.
Can you reverse into an angle parking space in NSW?
You must park at the angle shown by the signs or road markings. Unless a sign says otherwise, angle parking on a street means driving in forwards, so check the signs before you reverse in.
Can I rely on my reversing camera when parking?
Use your reversing camera and sensors if you have them, but don't rely on them alone. Keep looking over your shoulder and in your mirrors for pedestrians, poles and other vehicles.
Learn it properly with an instructor
Reverse parking clicks quickly once someone shows you the right reference points for your car. Our instructors each hold a NSW driving instructor licence and teach in dual-control cars, so you can practise in real car parks without stress.
If you're under 25, each hour with a licensed NSW driving instructor counts as 3 hours in your log book, for up to 10 hours of lessons. That's up to 20 bonus hours.
See our driving lesson prices or read our step-by-step guide to parallel parking.