Is it allowed to cross the dashed line during parallel parking?
3 Answers
Parallel parking is not allowed to cross the dashed line. Here are some introductions about parallel parking: 1. Operation requirements: The driver must park the vehicle into the right parking space (garage) through a forward and backward movement without touching or scraping the parking space poles, and without the wheels pressing or touching the lane boundary line or the parking space boundary line. 2. Introduction: Parallel parking is one of the contents of the subject two of the driver's license test. Parallel parking is becoming more and more common in cities, especially when the parking spaces in regular parking lots are increasingly tight. Many places have turned the original streets into parking spaces, becoming "parallel parking spaces".
Parallel parking is something I often encounter while driving, and riding the dashed line is not a good idea. Dashed lines are usually lane boundaries or parking area markers, and riding them may block the path of other vehicles. If a car comes from behind, the driver might not see you and could easily scrape your rear bumper. Safety is the top priority, especially in rainy weather when visibility is poor or at night without proper lighting—riding the line poses even higher risks. I recommend slowing down before parking, aligning your position using the rearview mirror, and leaving about one meter of space in front and behind while slowly reversing. If you do ride the line, beginners shouldn’t panic—just find an open space to practice a few more times until you get the hang of it. Remember to keep the wheels straight and aligned, and don’t cut corners. Additionally, the size of the vehicle affects the likelihood of riding the line—smaller cars are more agile, but larger vehicles require more careful angle adjustments to avoid trouble.
Speaking of side parking and touching the dotted line, I once barely touched it and got a ticket from the traffic police—50 yuan gone, really not worth it. From a traffic rules perspective, touching the dotted line is considered illegal parking in many places, ranging from a warning to point deductions, and disrupting driving order and safety is a big no-no. When I was learning to drive, my coach sternly reminded me not to touch any lines—solid lines are absolutely off-limits, and even dotted lines should be avoided. When parking, first gauge the distance from the curb, don’t get too close, turn slowly, and straighten the wheels in one go to avoid minor adjustments. Nowadays, with limited urban parking spaces and high pressure, touching the line can easily annoy others or lead to scratched paint. I think developing good habits saves trouble, and regularly checking lights and brakes is also important to prevent sudden stops and line violations. In short, driving by the rules benefits everyone—stay calm and don’t rush.
