Will parallel parking 30 centimeters away result in a penalty?

[OJaxon]

Parallel parking 30 centimeters away does not result in a penalty. According to Article 93 of the 'Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China', violations of laws and regulations regarding the parking or temporary stopping of motor vehicles can be pointed out, with an oral warning issued and the driver instructed to leave immediately. Below are precautions for parking: No parking in areas with no-parking signs: No-parking signs indicate that within the specified range, all vehicles are prohibited from parking temporarily or for extended periods. No parking within yellow grid lines: Yellow grid lines indicate that parking is prohibited in this area for any reason. These are commonly found at intersections, entrances, and exits. Yellow solid lines: Roads with yellow solid lines prohibit parking. The length of the yellow solid line indicates the size of the no-parking area. No parking near bus stops: Parking is prohibited in areas such as bus stops, gas stations, emergency stations, fire hydrants, etc.

[PatrickDella]

I'm an experienced driving instructor who has taught countless students parallel parking, and this issue is very common. In the driving test, parallel parking requires the car to be within 30 cm from the curb for a perfect score; if you park exactly at 30 cm, you usually won't lose points and it's considered acceptable. The key is to park straight and steady—you'll only lose points if the deviation exceeds 30 cm, such as when the wheels cross the line or are too far away. During practice, pay attention to the reversing angle and rearview mirror adjustments, and use ground markings to align the position. Also, when driving normally, don’t just focus on this number—developing the habit of observing your surroundings is more important to avoid side-swipe accidents. I recommend that beginners practice a few times with a professional instructor to quickly grasp the essentials.

[LukeLee]

I just passed my driving test not long ago, so my memory is still fresh. During the parallel parking test, the instructor mentioned that 30 centimeters is the standard distance—parking within 30 centimeters usually doesn’t result in point deductions. The 30-centimeter mark itself is the threshold, and it’s generally considered a pass. However, larger deviations, like 35 centimeters or more, will lead to minor point deductions. I was initially worried, but through repeated practice simulations, I learned to slow down before parking and align the car with the curb using the side mirror. Now, after driving for half a year on the road, I feel that maintaining 30 centimeters isn’t too difficult—confidence is key. During the test, staying calm and taking it slow makes success easier.

[VeraAnn]

Having driven for 20 years, parallel parking is a piece of cake. In the test rules, 30 centimeters is the passing line—no points deducted within 30 cm; parking exactly at 30 cm counts as meeting the standard. In real driving, don’t obsess over the centimeters; skill matters more. With enough practice, you’ll park well naturally and won’t lose points.