Why does the car cross the line when exiting from parallel parking?
3 Answers
It is usually caused by reversing into the parking space too late. When the entire vehicle enters the space, it can no longer be straightened, resulting in directly crossing the right boundary line. Below are relevant explanations about parallel parking: 1. Traditional parallel parking: Four poles were placed on the ground to symbolize the four corners of the parking space. Whether the vehicle successfully entered the space and whether it touched these four poles was one of the criteria. 2. After the implementation of new traffic regulations: Parallel parking no longer uses poles, but instead adopts ground markings as the boundaries of the parking space. For learners obtaining a C1 driver's license, the length of the parallel parking space is 1.5 times the vehicle length plus 1 meter. Drive the vehicle to a position parallel to the parking space, then reverse into the space to the right rear without any pauses. As long as the vehicle is parked within this range without crossing the boundary lines, it is considered a pass.
I've encountered the issue of running over the line while exiting a parallel parking spot several times, probably because I didn't time the steering correctly. Think about it - to exit, you first need to turn the wheel in the opposite direction to swing the front out, but many people rush and turn the wheel all the way immediately, causing the right rear wheel to scrape along and cross the curb. Another issue is spatial awareness - if you're too close, even a slight wrong wheel angle will cause contact. My suggestion is to check the side mirrors before exiting to ensure at least half a meter of space from adjacent vehicles, and turn the wheel gradually without rushing. Beginners often cross lines - practice more in empty spaces using cardboard boxes as boundary markers to get the feel.
The root cause of running over the line during parallel parking lies in inaccurate space estimation and overly aggressive steering. When exiting the parking space, the car needs to turn the wheels while stationary to adjust the front position first, then move forward or backward to correct the angle. If the front isn't pulled out sufficiently beforehand, rushing forward will cause the wheels to scrape the line. It's also related to vehicle dimensions—long-wheelbase cars with larger turning radii are more prone to this. Poorly adjusted rearview mirrors can also lead to misjudging distances. When I used to teach with training cars, I always emphasized that students must familiarize themselves with their vehicle's turning trajectory and frequently check the right rear wheel position by leaning out before exiting. Remember, don't turn the steering wheel to full lock in one go—adjust gradually while observing for safety.
