What is the distance between the car body and the sideline during parallel parking?

[LucasFitz]

During parallel parking, the distance between the car body and the sideline should be 30 centimeters. Below is a detailed introduction to the contents of the Subject 2 driving test: 1. Pile Test: Accurately judge the spatial position of the vehicle body and control the vehicle to complete reversing or moving forward through spatial obstacles at low speed. 2. Reverse Parking: Accurately judge the reversing trajectory of the vehicle and control the vehicle to complete reverse parking. 3. Parallel Parking: While in motion, correctly maneuver the vehicle into a parking space (or garage) on the right side of the road. 4. Curve Driving: While in motion, operate the steering device to control the vehicle driving along a curve. 5. Right-angle Turn: While in motion, correctly operate the steering device and accurately judge the difference between the inner and outer wheels.

[McRyan]

I've been driving for almost 30 years, and I've found that keeping the distance between the car body and the roadside line between 15 to 30 centimeters is the most reliable when parallel parking. Too close, and the wheels hitting the curb can easily cause damage; too far, like more than 20 centimeters, takes up space, affects others' passage, and might even get you a ticket. I usually get out and take a quick look after parking, using the length of my key as a rough measure—it's about 5 centimeters long, so three or four keys' width is about right. Be extra careful when parking on a slope; leave a bit more distance to prevent the car from rolling. Different cars have different sizes—small cars can park closer, while larger SUVs should leave about 30 centimeters for safety. When I first started driving, I used the side mirrors to estimate, making sure the gap between the tire and the curb was about the width of a palm (15 centimeters). With practice, you'll get a feel for it. The key is not to rush—take your time adjusting the position to ensure safety for yourself and others.

[LeJohn]

I'm a new driver who just got my license. During driving lessons, the instructor strictly required that the car body should be within 30 cm from the roadside line during parallel parking to avoid obstructing traffic and make it easier to open the door and exit. However, I find it somewhat unrealistic when parking on my own; on wider streets, I tend to park closer to the curb, about 10 cm away, to prevent hitting pedestrians passing by. During practice, I used a water bottle as a reference—the bottle is 15 cm tall, placed beside the car to gauge the gap. Parking in residential areas is more flexible; my target is 15-20 cm, checking through the side mirror to ensure the gap between the tire and the curb is about a fist's width (10 cm). Now that I drive my own small car more frequently, I consistently maintain a distance of around 15 cm. When driving larger vehicles like vans, I need to adjust the steering wheel earlier. Remember, every car is different—try a few times to find the right distance.

[DeHaven]

As a mom driving my kids to school, I always keep the parking distance from the curb around 15 centimeters. The reason is simple: too close (less than 10 cm) risks wheel damage; too far (over 20 cm) makes door openings hazardous for pedestrians or electric scooters. I often use my phone as a reference—its length is about 15 cm—and after parking, I place it by the curb to check the gap. On rainy days, leaving 20 cm is wiser to prevent mud splashes. Occasionally, mall attendants check this distance, recommending 15–25 cm. Simply put, 15 cm strikes the perfect balance—safe and worry-free. A decade of driving has made this standard second nature.

[AdamRose]

When commuting in a bustling city, I usually keep my parallel parking distance from the roadside curb at around 15 cm. Too close, and bicycles might scrape the car on narrow roads; too far wastes space and blocks traffic. For my compact car, maintaining a 10-15 cm gap between the tires and the curb is ideal. I use the side mirrors to gauge the gap width—about the length of a smartphone (15 cm). On slopes, I adjust to prevent slipping. Mobile apps like GPS measuring tools help estimate the 10-15 cm range. If there are roadside obstacles, I park slightly farther, around 20 cm, for safety. The key is parking steadily without crossing the line—it becomes effortless with practice.

[MatteoMarie]

Having driven a compact car for several years, maintaining a distance of 15 to 25 centimeters between the car body and the roadside line during parallel parking is reasonable. A 15 cm gap is suitable for flat areas to avoid rim damage; while 25 cm reduces risks in rainy conditions or crowded spaces. I use the side mirror to check the gap size—if a hand (about 10 cm wide) fits, it's safe. The rearview camera screen shows a thumb-width distance (approx. 15 cm), which is convenient but shouldn't be fully relied upon. When adjusting, turn the steering wheel slowly to approach the curb, stopping at a moderate 15-20 cm distance for the best balance.