What is the reference point for hill start?

[DelAlexander]

The reference points for hill start are as follows: Wheel position relative to the edge line: The right front and rear wheels of the vehicle should be within 30 centimeters from the edge line. Generally, there will be an arrow marked on the slope surface. You can align your vehicle with this arrow position when driving up, which requires gradual practice. Fixed-point parking: It is essential to ensure that the vehicle's front bumper is positioned at the center of the yellow parking line, with the bumper not exceeding or falling short of the line by more than 50 centimeters. The parking point varies depending on the driver's height and the adjusted seat position. During practice, you can ask the instructor to help locate the precise point. However, once identified, the seat must always be adjusted to this specific position; otherwise, the reference point will change.

[LeCamilla]

Actually, the reference points for starting on a slope vary by car model. The perspective difference between the old Santana in driving schools and private cars is huge. When teaching my kid to drive, I found a few practical positioning methods: when the lower right corner of the windshield aligns with the roadside line, the distance is about 30 cm; seeing the door handle and the line two fingers apart in the right mirror also works. The key is to sit straight and adjust the mirrors first. The raised point on the middle wiper pressing the line is the most stable, but this point drifts in the rain. When going uphill, stop when the tire hits the sensor line—don’t just look at the pole. Remembering two of these points is enough; too many can be confusing.

[VonJaxson]

As a driving coach, I often say, don't rigidly stick to reference points, go by feel. When 1/3 of the hood covers the yellow line, the right wheel is exactly 30 cm from the line. Aligning the left door pillar with the concrete seam also works well. But the distance between the door handle and the edge line in the rearview mirror is more accurate, especially with the weird angles of the mirrors at test sites. The most common method is aligning the wiper node at the center of the hood with the edge line, but differences in tire pressure can cause a discrepancy of a few centimeters. Actually, the most crucial thing is to check the lower edge of the left rearview mirror after stopping—if it's about a fist's distance above the ground sensing line, it's within the passing range. Each test site has different markings, so it's advisable to scout the location in advance and note the tire marks.

[DiJoy]

For manual transmission, remember three key points: Aligning the wiper's bump with the edge line is the basic method, while keeping the right door handle two fingers' width from the edge line is more precise. Align the highest point of the steering wheel with the center of the ramp arrow for a smooth ascent. For parking, cover the upper edge of the second yellow line with the lower edge of the left rearview mirror for the most stable position, though slight adjustments may be needed based on height. Automatic transmission is much simpler—just press the accelerator if the car has autohold, or follow the driving school's instructions for older models. The key is to try a few times to find the reference points that work best for you, and don't get flustered by the instructor's scolding.