How to Check if the Left Rear Wheel is on the Line During Parallel Parking?
4 Answers
After getting into the car, don't rush to fasten the seatbelt. First, sit down and adjust the seat and mirrors to your usual driving school practice positions. Before parallel parking, first assess whether the parking space can accommodate your vehicle. Drive forward until your car is roughly aligned with the front car in the parking space, maintaining a horizontal distance of about 1 meter between the two vehicles. You can then adjust the rearview mirror angle downward.
When I first started learning to drive, parallel parking made me particularly nervous, especially fearing that the left rear wheel would cross the line and result in point deductions. The instructor taught me to first adjust the position: the car body should be parallel to the car in front, with a distance of about one car door width. While reversing, pay attention to the left rearview mirror—you can see the rear wheel by looking down. If the edge of the tire just touches the line without crossing it, the line in the mirror will appear intact. If the line is crossed, you might feel a slight touch of the wheel or hear a subtle sound, but it's best not to rely on these sensations. Beginners are advised to get out and check in person to confirm; practicing with roadside stones as reference points can help you get the hang of it quickly. Always check both rearview mirrors after parking, as a slight angle can easily lead to crossing the line. Simulate different parking spaces multiple times, such as drawing chalk lines in an open area of the neighborhood, to develop spatial awareness. Safety always comes first—crossing the line not only results in fines but also increases the risk of scratches, so be patient and you’ll master it soon.
As a veteran driver with over 20 years of experience, I've seen countless cases of people crossing the line while parallel parking. The key to checking whether the left rear wheel crosses the line lies in position anticipation: From the start of reversing until the car body reaches a 45-degree angle, keep an eye on the left rearview mirror – there should be a fist-sized gap between the tire and the line as a safe distance. If the mirror shows the tire covering half of the line, you've already crossed it; at this point, simply straighten the steering wheel and make minor adjustments. From experience, vehicle length makes a big difference – compact cars are easier, while SUVs require earlier observation of ground markings. During practice, use fixed reference points, such as repeatedly checking wheel positions in empty parking spaces. Don't focus solely on the wheels – scan the overall view to reduce blind spots, and slower speed helps with precise control. Crossing the line often occurs due to being too close or turning too sharply, so start practicing from wider roadside spaces before gradually moving to tighter spots. Practice makes perfect – now I operate purely by intuition.
For parallel parking to judge if the left rear wheel is on the line, my method is step-by-step: First, ensure the car is parked at an arm's length distance beside the front car, with the steering wheel straightened. After starting to reverse, focus on the left rearview mirror—if the rear wheel is close to the edge of the line in the mirror but not over it, it means it's not on the line; once the wheel covers the line, adjust the wheel slightly by moving forward and backward. The seat position should be higher for better visibility, and the mirror should be clean to avoid misjudgment. Beginners often make the mistake of turning too sharply, so it's recommended to practice in an open area with marked lines, doing it ten times daily to get a feel for the angle. Safety tip: Being on the line can easily cause accidents or tickets, so it's more reliable to measure the distance by hand when getting out of the car for the first time. After practicing a few times, you'll remember the reference points, such as when the rear of the car aligns with a reference object, the wheel is in position.
