Should the handbrake be applied during parallel parking?
3 Answers
When the vehicle is completely parked in the space, there is no need to apply the handbrake. The penalty items for parallel parking include the vehicle body crossing the line after stopping, stopping midway, and the tires touching the lane boundary line while driving. Among these, if the vehicle body crosses the line after stopping or stops midway, it will result in a direct deduction of 100 points, leading to failure in the test. If the tires touch the lane boundary line while driving, 10 points will be deducted. Relevant information about the driver's license test is as follows: 1. Introduction: The driver's test is a qualification examination organized by the Vehicle Management Office of the Public Security Bureau. Only by passing the driver's test can one obtain a driver's license and legally operate a motor vehicle. 2. Content: The test for motor vehicle drivers is divided into three parts: the examination on road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge (also known as the "theoretical test", referred to as "Subject One"), the field driving skills test (commonly known as the "yard test", referred to as "Subject Two"), and the road driving skills and safe civilized driving common sense test (commonly known as the "road test", referred to as "Subject Three"). The test content and passing standards are unified nationwide, with corresponding test items specified according to different types of vehicles.
Applying the handbrake is an essential safety measure when parallel parking. Having driven for decades, I’ve made it a habit to engage the handbrake every time I park on the roadside. Why? Because after parking, if the ground is sloped or the vehicle is lightly bumped, the car may slide or shift—potentially causing minor scratches to other cars or, in severe cases, injuring pedestrians or leading to traffic accidents. Especially on urban streets with frequent slopes and heavy foot traffic, pulling the handbrake firmly locks the wheels, protecting both yourself and others. Don’t underestimate this simple action—it prevents many unexpected risks, such as a car rolling downhill uncontrollably and crashing into roadside facilities. Remember, parking isn’t just about turning off the engine and leaving; safety details determine everything. Cultivating this habit reduces risks at the source.
As a novice driver who just got my license, my instructor repeatedly emphasized the importance of engaging the parking brake during parallel parking practice. During training, I noticed that if I didn't use the parking brake, the car would slowly slide forward when parked on a slope, nearly hitting obstacles several times - which gave me quite a scare. The parking brake operation is actually very simple: after stopping, keep your foot on the brake pedal, pull up the parking brake knob or lever, and only shift to P or N gear after the car is secured. This not only prevents vehicle roll but also protects the transmission from damage. For automatic transmission vehicles, engaging the parking brake before shifting to P gear can reduce mechanical wear. I recommend new drivers pay attention to this detail - safe driving starts with small habits. Don't cut corners to save effort, as you might regret it if an accident occurs.
