How to judge keeping 30cm to the left when making a right-angle turn?
4 Answers
During practice, you exit from the garage and then reverse back in. When exiting the garage, observe the left rearview mirror. When reversing into the garage, watch the left rearview mirror. When the lower edge of the mirror covers the yellow line, turn the steering wheel fully to the right, then observe the right rearview mirror. When the wheel is 30cm away from the garage corner, turn the steering wheel fully to the right, then straighten the wheels when the car body is aligned.
When I first got my driver's license, I always struggled with judging the 30 cm distance for right turns. Now I've finally figured it out. The key is to align with a reference point first: stay about 30 cm to the right during the straight section. I often check the right rearview mirror—when the gap between the car body and the roadside line is about a fist width (around 10 cm), it's roughly correct. When turning, slowly steer the wheel halfway while keeping an eye on the front window to ensure the car doesn’t cross the line or get too close to the curb. Honestly, it’s all about practice—I had to do several laps at the driving school before getting the hang of it. Using roadside grass as a marker works best. The trick is not to rush: slow down before turning, as going too fast can easily throw you off. Safety comes first—maintaining this distance helps avoid potholes and pedestrians. Once you get used to it, it feels super easy.
When it comes to making a right turn while keeping 30 cm to the left, as a seasoned taxi driver, I've long had my own practical method. The simplest way is to visually align the road edge with the lower left corner of the car's front: while driving parallel, keep the edge line about two fingers' width in the lower left window. When turning, shift your gaze forward to focus on the curb, maintaining a distance of roughly one foot. During daily driving, don't just stare at the dashboard—use the rearview mirror to make minor steering adjustments and start preparing about 30 meters in advance for a smooth maneuver. This habit helps prevent scrapes, especially when turning in narrow lanes, and also leaves space for other vehicles. Remember to practice in an open area first; find a quiet street and repeat the maneuver several times. You'll quickly develop muscle memory, making it effortless and safe.
When teaching beginners, I would say that positioning 30 centimeters to the left for a right turn requires focusing on the reference point. Generally, it is recommended to adjust the rearview mirror while driving straight, ensuring the curb appears at the lower edge of the mirror with a gap of about 10 centimeters. When turning, look at a point 50 meters ahead and turn the steering wheel smoothly at a half-turn angle, avoiding sudden movements that could affect the distance. In practice, keep the speed below 20 mph and activate the turn signal in advance for precise control. Practice makes perfect—a few sessions in a parking lot’s marked area will make you proficient.
