What does it mean to cross the line when exiting parallel parking?
3 Answers
The front wheel crossing the line is due to turning the steering wheel to the right too early at the first point, while the rear wheel crossing the line is caused by turning the steering wheel back to the center too late after turning it to the left, resulting in the rear wheel touching the line on the far right. Below is an introduction to parallel parking: 1. Traditional parallel parking: Four poles were placed on the ground to symbolize the four corners of the parking space. Whether the vehicle successfully entered and parked without touching these poles was one of the criteria. 2. After the implementation of the new traffic regulations: Parallel parking no longer uses poles, and all parking space boundaries are marked with ground lines. For students learning to drive with a C1 license, the length of the parallel parking space is 1.5 times the length of the vehicle plus 1 meter. Drive the vehicle to a position parallel to the parking space, then reverse into the space without any pauses. As long as the vehicle is parked within the space without crossing the boundary lines, it is considered a pass.
When I first started learning to drive, I often ran over the lines during parallel parking, mainly due to lack of skill and nervousness. I reversed too quickly and turned the steering wheel abruptly, causing the rear of the car to sweep over the parking line. Additionally, the mirrors weren’t adjusted properly, making it hard to see the position of the rear wheels, so I had to adjust by luck, often ending up too close to the edge. Later, I realized that all beginners face this issue, and it improves with more practice. I found an open space to practice using cardboard boxes as lines, slowing down to almost a stop while reversing, and carefully observing the rearview mirror and backup camera to develop a sense of distance. Staying patient and steady is key. Running over lines not only leads to point deductions but can also cause wheel scratches or damage, affecting the car’s lifespan, so forming good habits early is crucial. Looking back now, running over the lines a few times was just part of the learning process—everyone goes through it. Practice makes perfect, and eventually, you’ll overcome this challenge.
I've encountered the issue of veering over the line while parallel parking many times over the years of driving. The root causes include excessive or insufficient steering that prevents proper alignment of the vehicle body, such as improper steering wheel control—either turning too early or delayed response. Additionally, large blind spots and incomplete coverage by side mirrors make it difficult to accurately estimate the position of the rear wheels relative to the curb, leading to crossing the line. I've also experienced situations where wet ground during rainy days caused the wheels to slip while reversing, deviating from the intended path and crossing the line. It's recommended to keep the reversing speed below 5 km/h, as slow as walking, and make timely minor adjustments to the direction without rushing to park perfectly. Crossing the line is not only a violation but can also scrape the curb, damage tires, and increase repair costs. For daily parking, choose wider spots and practice reference point methods for reversing, such as aligning the wheel angle with the height of the roadside curb. Accumulating experience bit by bit will help minimize mistakes.
