How to Accurately Find the 30 cm Distance in Parallel Parking?
3 Answers
When approaching the parking space, try to keep the distance within 30 cm. If too close, you may run over the inner line of the parking space; if too far, you won't be able to enter the space. Before ascending the slope, align the center of the steering wheel with the center of the slope. While going up the slope, focus on the right front door handle, especially as the car nears the top of the slope. After hearing the instruction, turn on the right turn signal, observe, slow down, and determine the stopping point. Then, turn the steering wheel to the right, ensuring the steering angle is not too large.
With over 20 years of driving experience, I'm very familiar with finding the 30 cm distance for parallel parking. A common method is to look at the right rearview mirror—when the curb or the upper edge of the sidewalk aligns with the lower edge of the mirror, it's usually around 30 cm, which is both safe and convenient for opening the door. Another trick is to adjust your seating position and glance from an angle where the door line is parallel to the roadside. If the car body and the roadside appear balanced, that's the right position. Take your time—when reversing, steer slowly and avoid sudden sharp turns to prevent scraping. For beginners, practice in an open area multiple times, starting with simple scenarios like flat, dry roads before tackling slopes or narrow streets. Be extra cautious in low-visibility conditions like rain or nighttime, paying attention to lighting positions, and step out to check if necessary to ensure precision. Remember, 30 cm is the ideal distance to prevent wheel damage from rubbing the curb—too close and the tires will scrape the curb, too far and the car won't be properly aligned. With a few days of practice, it'll become second nature.
I just got my driver's license and had some trouble finding the 30 cm mark for parallel parking. I used reference points inside the car, like the seatbelt anchor or the angle of the door handle. When aiming at the ground, if it's parallel to the curb, it feels easier to estimate about 30 cm. My instructor taught me to first adjust the seat height, sit firmly without moving my body, then slowly reverse while glancing at the position of the curb line in the side mirror. When that line aligns with the mirror's edge, stop. During practice, I noticed that beginners often make mistakes like steering too nervously or relying solely on instinct without checking the actual line, resulting in wheels hitting the curb and damaging the car. On rainy days, I slow down and turn on the headlights to better illuminate the road and avoid misjudgment. Safety first—watching more online parking tutorials and combining them with practical repetition helps develop the feel for it.
