How to reverse park, step by step

Why back in?

When you back in, you reverse into a space you’ve already checked is empty. When you leave, you drive forward with a clear view of the aisle, instead of backing out blind between other cars. Saskatchewan’s driver’s handbook recommends backing into ordinary 90-degree stalls for exactly that reason, unless signs say not to.

Reversing basics

• Before you start, make sure the way behind is clear, especially of children and cyclists.
• Move slowly. Reverse gear can be faster than it feels.
• Hold the wheel firmly, turn sideways in your seat, and look over your shoulder in the direction you’re moving: your right shoulder when backing straight or to the right, your left when backing to the left. Check the other side too.
• When you turn while reversing, the front of the car swings out. Make sure it won’t hit anything.

The Handbook allows you to unbuckle your seatbelt if you need to turn to see while reversing, as long as you buckle up before moving forward.

Backing into a spot on your right, step by step

1. Check your mirrors and signal right.
2. Drive slowly past the space and stop when your car is a little past it. Angling the car slightly to the left can make the turn easier.
3. Look all around: mirrors, both shoulders and behind you.
4. Reverse slowly, wheels straight, looking over your right shoulder.
5. Turn the wheel to the right when your back bumper lines up with the edge of the space next to yours.
6. Straighten the wheel gradually as the car comes into line with the space, and keep reversing slowly until you’re in.
7. Stop, shift into park and set the parking brake.

Ontario’s Handbook doesn’t give a step-by-step for parking lots; this follows the method taught in British Columbia’s driver guide.

Fixing a crooked park

If you end up at an angle or too close to one side, stop, pull forward a little while straightening the wheel, then reverse again. Small corrections are normal. What matters is doing them slowly, with the same checks every time.

Angle parking

Angled stalls are designed to be driven into forward and backed out of. Backing out of an angled stall is the risky part, so shoulder check both sides and behind before and while you move. On streets, Ontario’s Handbook says to park parallel to the curb unless signs call for angle parking.

Pulling out of a space

• If you backed in, drive straight out first, then turn.
• If you parked nose-in, back out slowly, looking both ways and behind, and yield to people and cars in the aisle.
• Leaving a spot on the street, signal, check your mirrors and blind spot just before you move, and pull out only when it’s safe.

Parking lot safety

• Walk around your car before you back out. Small children are easy to miss from the driver’s seat.
• Back up slowly with your windows down, so you can hear as well as see.
• Don’t rely on a backup camera. Snow, dirt or sun glare can hide what’s behind you, so use your mirrors and look over your shoulder.

Where you can’t reverse

• On the road or shoulder of a divided highway with a speed limit over 80 km/h. Missed your exit? Take the next one.
• Back across a stop line you’ve passed. The Handbook says to stay put.

Is reverse parking on the G2 road test?

Backing into a parking stall isn’t on Ontario’s list of G2 skills, which includes parallel parking and three-point turns. But the Handbook says road tests check reversing, and DriveTest tells test-takers to practise parking, reversing and three-point turns. So reversing well is worth the practice either way. The parallel parking guide and the three-point turn guide cover the test manoeuvres.