Where should the wheels be positioned during a hill start?
3 Answers
During a hill start, the wheels should be positioned on the solid yellow line. When viewed from above, at least half of the wheel's surface area should be on the solid yellow line in front of you. If less than half of the area is on the line while the wheel is still within the white dashed line, 10 points will be deducted. If less than 1/4 of the area is on the line, the wheel will definitely have exceeded the white dashed line, requiring you to reverse downhill and restart the test from the beginning. Below are the precautions for the Subject 2 driving test: 1. Fasten your seatbelt: Buckle up immediately after getting into the car. Make sure not to fasten it backward or to the passenger seat, as the system will directly deem the test failed. Do not unfasten the seatbelt during the entire test. 2. Adjust the seat and mirrors: After getting into the car, adjust the seat and mirrors, fasten the seatbelt, turn on the left turn signal, shift into first gear, and release the handbrake. These six steps are essential. Ensure all preparations are complete before starting. 3. No stopping during the test: There is no time limit for reversing into the parking space, but note that stopping during the process is not allowed. If the wheels remain stationary for 3 seconds, the system will deem it as stopping midway. Therefore, controlling the speed is crucial. 4. Hill start time limit is 30 seconds: The time limit for a hill start is 30 seconds, with the system providing a voice prompt every 10 seconds. Exceeding 30 seconds will result in an automatic failure.
When learning to drive, my instructor taught me that the key to starting on a slope is to control the wheels to that friction point. After stopping on the slope, I press the brake and pull the handbrake, then shift into first gear, and slowly release the clutch pedal. I feel the engine sound deepen and the car vibrate slightly, which means the wheels are just touching the friction point—they're about to turn but not yet moving. At this moment, quickly release the handbrake and gently press the accelerator, and the car will start smoothly. If the clutch is released too quickly, the wheels may slip or roll backward, which almost made me hit the car behind a few times. Practice finding this point on flat ground more often to get familiar with the feeling. The steeper the slope, the slower you need to operate the wheel position to avoid stalling. Remember, getting the wheels to the right point can save a lot of trouble—safety first.
As a seasoned driver, starting on a slope feels as natural as breathing to me. When stopping on a slope, I engage the handbrake to prevent the car from rolling back, then slowly release the clutch pedal. Once the wheels reach the friction point—when the car slightly vibrates—I release the handbrake and press the accelerator, and the car surges forward instantly. On steep slopes, improper wheel positioning can lead to rollback accidents. For example, on wet and slippery roads during rainy days, it’s even more crucial to precisely control the timing of wheel engagement. In daily driving, I always use this technique to ensure a smooth start. Beginners can practice on gentle slopes first; once they master the wheel contact point, even steep slopes won’t be intimidating.
