How is crossing the line defined in reverse parking?
3 Answers
Body crossing the line means the vehicle body is out of bounds. In reverse parking, crossing the line occurs when the front bumper or trunk obscures the control line. This situation commonly arises during reverse parking, often due to improper timing in steering when exiting the parking space, leading to the front bumper crossing the line. Body crossing the line results in a 100-point deduction, rendering the test unsuccessful. Other actions that incur a 100-point deduction include the vehicle body crossing the line, failing to park properly, stopping midway, not following the designated route or sequence, and exceeding the allotted time. The test is scored out of 100 points, with evaluation criteria set for failure, 20-point deduction, 10-point deduction, and 5-point deduction. Body crossing the line refers to the vehicle body not being correctly aligned, causing parts like the front, rear, or sides to cross the boundary line. The rules for the Category 2 driving test state that any mid-test stopping, rolling back, or not following voice prompts results in failure. Wheel or body crossing the line also leads to test failure. Many learners encounter line-crossing issues during Category 2 training, with 'crossing the line' being the most common reason for failure. The primary cause is incorrect timing in steering, or the steering speed not matching the vehicle's speed. Category 2 Deduction Standards: Not wearing a seatbelt: 100-point deduction. Starting the engine without the gear in neutral: 100-point deduction. Not using turn signals (including when starting, changing lanes, overtaking, turning, or parking); using turn signals for less than three seconds (easily overlooked!); forgetting to turn off or misusing turn signals: 10-point deduction. Stalling once: 10-point deduction. Reverse Parking: Not following the designated route sequence: 100-point deduction. Body crossing the line: 100-point deduction. Failing to park properly: 100-point deduction. Before reversing, not ensuring both front wheels pass the control line: 100-point deduction. Exceeding 210 seconds to complete: 100-point deduction. Stopping for over 2 seconds: 5-point deduction per occurrence. Slope Parking and Starting: After stopping, the front bumper not aligning with the pole line and exceeding 50cm forward or backward: 100-point deduction. After stopping, the front bumper not aligning with the pole line but not exceeding 50cm: 10-point deduction. Taking over 30 seconds to start after stopping: 100-point deduction. Wheels crossing the road edge line while moving: 100-point deduction. Rolling back over 30cm when starting: 100-point deduction. After stopping, the body being over 50cm from the road edge line: 100-point deduction. Not tightening the parking brake after stopping: 10-point deduction per occurrence. After stopping, the body being over 30cm but under 50cm from the road edge line: 10-point deduction per occurrence. Rolling back over 10cm but under 30cm when starting: 5-point deduction per occurrence. Parallel Parking: Body crossing the line after parking: 100-point deduction. Not using or misusing turn signals when parking: 10-point deduction. Exceeding 90 seconds to complete: 100-point deduction. Body touching the parking space boundary line while moving: 10-point deduction per occurrence. Wheels touching the lane boundary line while moving: 10-point deduction per occurrence. Stopping for over 2 seconds: 5-point deduction per occurrence. 90-Degree Turn: Wheels crossing the road edge line: 100-point deduction. Not using or misusing turn signals when turning, or not turning them off after turning: 10-point deduction. Stopping for over 2 seconds: 5-point deduction per occurrence. S-Curve Driving: Wheels crossing the road edge line: 100-point deduction. Stopping for over 2 seconds: 100-point deduction. Not using gear 2 or higher while moving: 5-point deduction.
When I first started learning to drive, I was most afraid of brushing the lines while reversing into a parking space, meaning the rear wheels would press against the white solid line at the edge of the parking spot. I remember the instructor always emphasized that going too slow and turning the wheel too early could cause the front of the car to brush the line, while going too fast before the rear wheels were aligned would result in crossing the line. In real driving, brushing the line not only leads to point deductions in exams but could also scrape adjacent cars or obstacles. Now, when reversing, I first come to a complete stop before shifting into reverse gear, making small adjustments to the steering wheel while keeping an eye on the rear wheel position in the side mirrors to ensure the tires maintain a safe distance from the line. Practicing enough to let muscle memory take over is crucial—for example, straightening the car more when pulling forward and gradually correcting the steering while reversing. Developing these observation habits has significantly reduced accident rates.
Last time when helping my friend practice reversing, he kept asking what 'sweeping the line' means. Simply put, it's when the car tires brush past the parking line position and enter the restricted area. Common causes include turning the steering wheel too sharply or not checking the rearview mirror properly, resulting in the wheels pressing against the line at an angle. When I reverse, I usually first check the garage width, adjust the seat angle, and control the steering wheel gently to avoid sharp turns. I start reversing slowly, leaning slightly to observe if the right rear wheel is aligned. If I notice any possibility of sweeping the line, I stop and start over. From a safety perspective, sweeping the line can easily scratch the paint or damage the chassis, so it's better to reverse a few more times than to rush. In practice, using a reversing radar can make it more accurate.
