How to Find 30 Centimeters Without Looking at the Wiper?

[XavierAnn]

Here are methods to park without looking at the wiper to find 30 centimeters: 1. Look at the front of the car: Align the right edge of the car with the one-third point of the car's front. This usually results in the car being about 30 centimeters away from the roadside edge after parking. 2. Look at the engine hood: From the driver's perspective, when one-third of the front of the car overlaps with the right lane edge line, you can park. 3. Look at the right door handle: Observe the right door handle through the right rearview mirror. When the roadside edge line aligns or just touches the handle, the distance is approximately 30 centimeters.

[EmersynLynn]

I think finding the 30 cm distance relies on experience and developing a feel, as it varies slightly between car models. A veteran driver once taught me to focus on the right door handle—when the end of the handle is about to touch the roadside line, that's roughly 30 cm. At this point, the rearview mirror should also show an even gap between the car body and the line, neither too wide nor too narrow. If you're unsure, you can ask someone to check while parked by the roadside and step out to measure the distance to reinforce your memory. Remember to sit upright with the seat properly adjusted each time, and make slight, gentle steering adjustments—avoid sudden turns, as jerky movements can easily lead to crossing the line.

[LaEsther]

As a frequent driving student, I've found that besides the wiper, you can also use the lower right corner of the windshield. Aligning that corner to overlap the edge line by about 10 centimeters works quite accurately, provided your seating position remains consistent. Additionally, checking the right rearview mirror is helpful—maintain about a finger's width gap between the car body and the edge line in the mirror. The central bulge on the dashboard can also serve as a reference point; keeping it aligned with the right edge of the line works too. Regardless of the method used, you must drive slowly to see accurately, and immediately check the rearview mirror after each adjustment—don't just focus on the front and forget about the rear.

[NaomiLee]

My driving instructor taught me the simplest method: aligning the right 1/3 of the car's hood with the lane line is the most stable. Specifically, from the driver's seat, divide the entire front hood horizontally into three equal parts, and use the right 1/3 position to follow the inside of the lane line. This method is easiest for beginners to pick up. Practice several times in an open space by drawing lines with chalk to get a sense of the proportion of the hood covering the lane line. Also, remember not to apply overly decorative films on the front windshield, as they may obstruct visibility and judgment. Pay extra attention to clearing fog during rainy days to avoid interference with observation.

[MacVivienne]

When my friend first started learning to drive, I taught her a practical trick: observe the shadows on the ground. When the car's shadow on the road is parallel to the solid line, align the front of the car's shadow to cover about half of the curb. However, be aware that the shadow direction changes at different times of the day, being most accurate in the morning and evening. Another simple but effective method is to frequently get out and check the rear position when parking—see how far the rear wheels are from the side line, then use that to gauge the front position. Practicing these methods for two weeks will help develop an instinct, which is more reliable than memorizing positions. Also, remember to adjust the seat higher for better visibility, especially for shorter female drivers.