What does it mean to sweep the line in reverse parking?

[OGage]

Body sweeping the line means the vehicle body crosses the line, which results in a deduction of 100 points, making the test unsuccessful. Other actions that also result in a 100-point deduction include the vehicle body crossing the line, not entering the parking space, stopping midway, not following the prescribed route or sequence, and exceeding the specified time. The total score for both subjects is 100 points, with evaluation criteria set for failure, 20-point deduction, 10-point deduction, and 5-point deduction. The rules for the Subject 2 test of the motor vehicle driver's license application state that any of the following will result in failure: stopping or rolling back midway during the test, not following the voice prompts, or the wheels or vehicle body crossing the line. Many learners encounter the issue of crossing the line during Subject 2 training, and the most common mistake leading to failure is "crossing the line." The main reason for crossing the line is the learner's failure to master the correct timing for steering. Besides missing the right moment to steer, another reason could be the steering speed not keeping up with the vehicle speed. Subject 2 Deduction Standards: Not wearing a seatbelt: 100-point deduction. Starting the engine without the gear in neutral: 100-point deduction. Not using the turn signal (including when starting, changing lanes, overtaking, turning, or parking); turning on the turn signal for less than three seconds (note this is easily overlooked!); forgetting to turn off the turn signal or using it incorrectly: 10-point deduction. Stalling once: 10-point deduction. Reverse Parking: Not following the prescribed route sequence: 100-point deduction. Vehicle body crossing the line: 100-point deduction. Not completing the parking: 100-point deduction. Before reversing, if the two front wheels' contact points do not exceed the control line: 100-point deduction. Exceeding the 210-second time limit for the task: 100-point deduction. Stopping for more than 2 seconds midway: 5-point deduction each time. Slope Fixed-Point Parking and Starting: After the vehicle stops, if the front bumper is not aligned with the pole line and exceeds 50 cm forward or backward: 100-point deduction. After the vehicle stops, if the front bumper is not aligned with the pole line but does not exceed 50 cm forward or backward: 10-point deduction. After the vehicle stops, if the starting time exceeds 30 seconds: 100-point deduction. Wheels crossing the road edge line while driving: 100-point deduction. Rolling back more than 30 cm when starting: 100-point deduction. After the vehicle stops, if the vehicle body is more than 50 cm from the road edge line: 100-point deduction. After parking, if the parking brake is not tightened: 10-point deduction per occurrence. After the vehicle stops, if the vehicle body is more than 30 cm but less than 50 cm from the road edge line: 10-point deduction per occurrence. Rolling back more than 10 cm but less than 30 cm when starting: 5-point deduction per occurrence. Parallel Parking: After the vehicle enters the parking space and stops, if the vehicle body crosses the line: 100-point deduction. Not using or incorrectly using the turn signal when parking: 10-point deduction. Exceeding the 90-second time limit for the task: 100-point deduction. Vehicle body touching the parking space boundary line while driving: 10-point deduction per occurrence. Wheels touching the lane edge line while driving: 10-point deduction per occurrence. Stopping for more than 2 seconds midway: 5-point deduction per occurrence. Right-Angle Turn: Wheels crossing the road edge line: 100-point deduction. Not using or incorrectly using the turn signal during the turn, or not turning off the turn signal after the turn: 10-point deduction. Stopping for more than 2 seconds midway: 5-point deduction per occurrence. Curve Driving: Wheels crossing the road edge line: 100-point deduction. Stopping for more than 2 seconds midway: 100-point deduction. Driving without the gear in second or higher: 5-point deduction.

[VonChristopher]

That day when I was reversing into the parking space, the rear of my car scraped against the white line on the ground. The examiner called it 'sweeping the line,' meaning your wheels or car body touched the boundary line of the parking space while reversing, failing to park properly. I failed my first test because of this, being so nervous that I turned the steering wheel a bit too early, causing the rear wheel to scrape the line. Actually, there are many reasons for this, like incorrect rearview mirror angles or the car body being too close to the line. Beginners are most prone to this mistake; practicing more and finding reference points to control the speed can help avoid it. Now I've learned my lesson—before reversing, I adjust the rearview mirror to clearly see the line positions and slowly reverse in, which feels much safer. Otherwise, not only do you lose points, but you might also scratch the car paint, which feels totally not worth it.

[LePaul]

Having driven for many years, I've seen plenty of cases of vehicles sweeping the lines during reverse parking—simply put, it's when the car brushes against or runs over the ground markings while backing into a spot. This often happens due to improper steering angle adjustment during reversing or excessive speed making it hard to control. To minimize line-sweeping, I recommend paying close attention to the rearview mirrors and backup camera, ensuring tire positioning before turning the wheel. Sometimes, longer vehicle bodies or smaller turning radii can also cause issues; for instance, larger vehicles I've driven are more prone to sweeping lines than compact cars, requiring pre-calculation of distances. Remember, sweeping lines during driving tests results in point deductions, and in real-world driving, brushing against poles or other cars is even more troublesome—so taking it slow and double-checking are key.