How to Park 30 cm from the Curb Without Crossing the Line?
3 Answers
After receiving the instruction to park by the curb, the first thing to remember is to turn on the right turn signal, then release the accelerator and reduce speed according to the actual situation. Turn the vehicle slightly to the right, aligning the driver with the middle of the road, then make a slight adjustment to the right. When one-third of the front of the vehicle is over the edge line of the right lane, check the right rearview mirror and slowly brake to stop the vehicle when the body is about 30 cm away from the edge line.
I found that parallel parking within 30cm without crossing the line does require some skills. When I first learned to drive, my instructor taught me to align the raised dot in the middle of the windshield wiper with the curb line, which roughly positions the front of the car correctly. I remember being extremely nervous during my first practice, afraid of scraping the tires by crossing the line, but I ended up going too fast and still crossed it. Later, I realized that you must reduce the speed to a very low level, say below 10 km/h, letting the car approach slowly. At the same time, glance at the rearview mirror to check that the right wheel is about a fist's width from the curb—that's the visual reference for 30cm—and if it feels too far, make a slight left adjustment with a small steering angle. After practicing a few times, I can now basically stop steadily without scraping the wheels while leaving a safe space. The key is practice makes perfect—don’t rush, and try it a few more times in an empty parking lot until it becomes smooth.
As a frequent visitor to driving schools, I find this method effective: First, choose a safe spot and observe the roadside markings. Before approaching, I align the lower right corner of the steering wheel with the edge of the roadside, keeping my gaze straight, then move at a snail's pace. If the car feels too close, gently straighten the wheel, wait a moment, and readjust. The key is not to focus on the wheels but to observe the overall position of the car's front and rearview mirrors—keeping about half a hand's distance between the right rearview mirror and the curb line ensures 30 cm. During practice, use a distance-measuring app on your phone to verify and quickly calibrate your perception. Remember, speed control is crucial—going too fast can lead to loss of control. After repeated practice, you'll find it becomes as natural as riding a bike.
