What does 'sweeping the line' mean in Subject 2?
3 Answers
Body out of line means sweeping the line. In the Subject 2 exam, if the vehicle body crosses the line, 100 points will be deducted, and the test will be deemed as a failure. In addition to the body crossing the line, other actions that will result in a 100-point deduction include failing to park properly in reverse, stopping midway, not following the prescribed route or sequence, and exceeding the allotted time. The full score for Subject 2 is 100 points, with evaluation criteria set for failure, 20-point deduction, 10-point deduction, and 5-point deduction. The test is considered passed under the following conditions: ① For applicants applying for large buses, tractors, city buses, medium buses, or large trucks, a score of 90 or above is required. ② For other vehicle types, a score of 80 or above is required. If you fail the Subject 2 test, you can retake it once on the spot. If you choose not to retake or fail the retake, the test will be terminated, and the applicant must reschedule the test after ten days. Within the validity period of the driving skill test permit, the number of Subject 2 and Subject 3 road driving skill test appointments must not exceed five. If the fifth test appointment still results in failure, the scores of other previously passed subjects will be invalidated.
I just passed the second driving test a while ago, and I almost failed because of 'sweeping the line.' Simply put, 'sweeping the line' means that during the test, when reversing or parking, the car touches the white boundary lines on the ground. These lines mark the test area, and if you touch them, the monitoring system immediately deducts points or directly fails you—it's very strict. I practiced many times but still got nervous and turned the steering wheel too early, causing the rear wheel to touch the line, which resulted in an instant failure. The instructor said this is mainly due to controlling the speed too fast or misjudging the reference points. He reminded everyone to operate slowly, pay more attention to the position in the rearview mirror, and adjust the distance in advance—unlike me, who realized it was too late at the last moment. He also suggested that beginners simulate test scenarios during practice, trying multiple times with those lines to get familiar and avoid mistakes.
I've been teaching driving for many years and often emphasize the meaning of 'sweeping the line' in Subject 2 to my students. Simply put, during maneuvers like reversing into a parking space or parallel parking, if your tires or car body accidentally touch the marked lines on the ground, it's called sweeping the line. The exam rules are very strict; even slightly grazing the edge of the line will be detected by the sensors, resulting in point deductions or even an immediate fail. Students usually make mistakes because they're in a hurry or haven't memorized the reference points well. I always remind them to stay calm: check your position before moving, proceed slowly, don't rush to turn the steering wheel, and frequently glance at the rearview mirrors. Remember, the more you practice, the less nervous you'll be. You can even use tape to mark lines on the ground for simulated practice during training. Developing good habits makes it easier to pass the test on the first try.
