What does 'touching the line' mean in Subject 2?
3 Answers
Touching the line refers to the vehicle body crossing the designated line. In the Subject 2 driving test, crossing the line results in a 100-point deduction, making the test unsuccessful. In addition to crossing the line, other actions that 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 Subject 2 test is scored out of 100 points, with criteria for failure, 20-point deductions, 10-point deductions, and 5-point deductions. The test is considered passed under the following conditions: ① For applicants of large passenger vehicles, trailers, city buses, medium-sized buses, and large trucks, a score of 90 or above is required; ② For other vehicle types, a score of 80 or above is required. Candidates who fail the Subject 2 test are allowed one immediate retest. If they choose not to retest or fail the retest, the test session ends, and the applicant must reschedule the test after ten days. Within the validity period of the driving skill test permit, candidates can schedule the Subject 2 and Subject 3 road driving skill tests up to five times. If the fifth attempt is still unsuccessful, any previously passed test subjects will be invalidated.
When I first started learning to drive, I always heard the instructor reminding me not to 'sweep the line,' which means during the test, if your wheels touch the marked lines or go out of bounds. The second subject includes tasks like reversing into a parking space and parallel parking, with the area covered in lines, such as the white lines at the edges of the garage. Once the tires cross the boundary, the sensor alarms, and you directly lose points or fail the test. During my first practice, due to nervousness, I turned the steering wheel too late, and the wheels swept the line. The sound startled me, causing me to start over. Later, I realized that sweeping the line often happens during right-angle turns or when stopping at a designated spot on a slope. Beginners, flustered and unable to control the distance, might have the tires graze the edge, leading to trouble. To avoid this, drive slowly, frequently check the rearview mirror to judge the distance between the car body and the lines, and practice more to get familiar. Simulating the test in an empty space beforehand can greatly reduce the chance of errors. Anyway, remember, sweeping the line is the enemy of the driving test. Paying attention to every detail is the only way to pass.
Having experienced the subject two driving test twice, I have a deep impression of 'sweeping the line.' Sweeping the line refers to the wheels touching the ground marking lines during the test, such as the garage lines in reverse parking or the boundary lines in parallel parking. Even if the tire slightly touches the line, the system will judge it as a violation and failure. The reasons are mostly due to inaccurate judgment by beginners or moving too fast, such as steering too sharply causing the car to drift and touch the line. During my test, I made a mistake in a parallel parking task because I didn’t clearly see the rearview mirror, and the wheel brushed against the marking line, resulting in immediate disqualification. To avoid sweeping the line, repeated practice is essential—finding accurate reference points like garage corners or body markers and operating at low speeds is safer. Remind everyone that in other subject two tasks like hill starting, you should also pay attention to the wheel position to avoid crossing the line. Developing good habits will greatly reduce the pressure during the test.
