How to Control the 30 cm Distance in Subject 2 Parallel Parking?

[ElizaRose]

When students are operating the vehicle to pull over, they can maintain a 30 cm distance by stopping when the right one-third of the engine hood aligns with the sideline. When the front door handle in the right rearview mirror aligns with the road sideline, the distance between the vehicle body and the sideline is approximately 30 cm. While driving, when the raised part of the windshield wiper aligns with the right sideline, the distance between the vehicle body and the sideline is 30 cm.

[FelicityRose]

After teaching driving for so many years, I've concluded that the key to controlling the 30cm distance in parallel parking lies in observation points. First, adjust the rearview mirror to see the rear wheel and sideline. When starting, align the right one-third of the car's front with the right sideline - this gives approximately 30cm distance. If it feels off, slightly adjust the steering wheel by no more than 45 degrees and straighten immediately. Check the right rearview mirror to maintain a two-finger width between the car body and sideline. Don't fixate on one spot; scan between the car front, mirrors, and sideline to find balance. Practice locating reference points, like aligning the wiper protrusion with the inner edge of the sideline. Remember this distance is crucial for subsequent steering into the space - too close risks crossing the line, too far makes parking impossible.

[MaverickLynn]

As someone who just passed the Subject 2 test, here's my genuine advice: Maintaining 30cm relies entirely on finding fixed reference points. My instructor taught me to align the right-side bulge on the hood with the inner edge of the curb, which generally keeps it within 30cm. If the test route has arrow markers, even better—just center the steering wheel on the arrow. During practice, I repeatedly tested this—driving slowly is crucial to allow time for adjustments. Check the left rearview mirror; when the gap to the sideline is about three fingers' width, you're in a safe position. Exam nerves can lead to crossing the line, so I recommend doing a few mock tests beforehand. The key is practicing until it becomes muscle memory. Now, I can position the car correctly by feel without reference points, though I struggled with inconsistent distances at first.

[VanAliyah]

This 30 cm distance is actually a reasonable design based on the vehicle's dimensions. Being too close risks scraping the curb, while being too far makes the turning angle insufficient when parking. I usually align the highest point of the steering wheel with the dashed center line or road markings for positioning. When the door handle and the edge line are about a palm's width apart in the right rearview mirror, that's the correct distance. Before starting, always sit upright to find the right position—shorter individuals may want to use a seat cushion. Remember, adjusting the rearview mirrors is crucial; you should be able to see the ground edge lines in the mirrors to make accurate judgments. Before parking, take one last glance at the distance, and if there's any deviation, correct it by turning the wheel half a turn and immediately straightening it.