How to Find the 30cm Mark for Slope Starting in Subject 2?
3 Answers
Here are the methods to locate the 30cm mark for slope starting in Subject 2: 1. Observe the position of the engine hood. After hearing the voice prompt, drive forward to the right. When the right front corner of the engine hood aligns with the roadside line at the 1/3 point, the distance between the car body and the roadside line is exactly 30cm. 2. Look at the raised part of the wiper. From the driver's seat, when the raised part of the wiper aligns with the right side line, the distance is approximately 30cm. 3. Check the right front door handle. Observe the right front door handle in the right rearview mirror. If the right front door handle is tangent to the right side line, the distance is just right; if it's too far, slight adjustments are needed; if it's too close, there's a risk of crossing the line. Deduction points for 30cm include: 1. After the vehicle stops, if the body is more than 50cm away from the roadside line, 100 points will be deducted. 2. When parking, if the right front wheel is more than 30cm away from the side line (but less than 50cm), 10 points will be deducted. 3. If the vehicle crosses the solid edge line of the road while moving, 100 points will be deducted.
I've been teaching Subject 2 for many years, and finding the 30 cm for the hill start relies on fixed reference points to be accurate. During the exam, there's often a mark or a pole on the slope. After adjusting and fixing your sitting position, look at the distance of the edge line in the right rearview mirror—leaving a small gap is roughly 30 cm. Alternatively, align the right corner of the hood with the curb stone and stop when aligned. When practicing, don’t keep changing positions. First, use a tape measure to get a feel for the distance and get used to its length. Remember, 30 cm is about the length from your fist to your wrist—don’t just guess. Slow down before ascending the slope and control the clutch steadily to avoid rolling back or stalling, which can damage the car. Practice a few times to build muscle memory, and the key is to stay relaxed and not get nervous during the exam. This distance setting is for safety—too close risks scraping, and too far will cost points.
As a novice who just passed the second driving test, I found the 30 cm distance really tricky. During my first practice on hill starts, I kept crossing the line and got scolded by the instructor. Later, I figured out that using the rearview mirror to check the gap between the car body and the sideline—keeping it about a finger's width—worked perfectly. During practice, I recorded my position with my phone and realized that once the clutch control was steady, adjustments became much easier. A friend also taught me to align the raised part of the wiper with the sideline, which was super helpful. During the test, don’t panic—slowly approach the slope to find the right spot. After passing, remember the sense of distance; it’s useful for everyday uphill parking. Thirty centimeters isn’t long, but for beginners, it feels like a chasm. Making mistakes is how you improve faster.
