Does reversing into a parking space and crossing the line refer to the car body or the wheels?
2 Answers
Reversing into a parking space and crossing the line refers to the car body, including the wheels. Below are some precautions for reversing into a parking space: 1. Reverse from the left side: When reversing, try to choose the left side as it makes it easier for the driver to observe. During the reversing process, first look behind, then pay attention to the side mirrors. 2. Observe the situation behind the car: Before reversing, check the situation behind the car, estimate the reversing path, and determine whether the front of the car will hit any obstacles. Especially when the steering wheel is turned significantly, the turning radius of the front wheels is larger than that of the rear wheels, and the front of the car swings outward more during reversing. At this time, be sure to avoid scraping the front of the car.
When I first started learning to drive, I was also confused about this issue. Back then, during reverse parking, I always thought it was fine as long as my wheels didn’t cross the line, but the examiner failed me for crossing the line. Later, I realized that crossing the line refers to the entire vehicle body, including parts like the bumper or side mirrors—if any of these go beyond the solid line of the parking space, it’s a violation. Of course, the wheels crossing the line is also unacceptable because the wheels are part of the vehicle body. Simply put, the parking space markings are meant for the entire vehicle, not just the wheels. This rule is mainly for safety, to prevent the car from extending beyond the lines and potentially scratching others or obstructing traffic. When practicing reverse parking, remember to move slowly and frequently check the vehicle’s position using the mirrors—don’t just focus on the wheels. Once you get the hang of it, you can avoid such mistakes. Nowadays, I always make sure the entire vehicle is completely within the lines before I feel at ease.
