2. 2
Why Reference Points Are Needed
How wide is a car?
5 – 6 feet wide.
How wide is a lane?
9 – 14 feet wide.
Generally a lane is
twice as wide as a
car!
3. 3
Vehicle Blind Areas
The body of the car blocks
the driver's view of the
roadway
One car length to the front
Two car lengths to the rear
One car width to the left
Two car widths to the right
4. 4
The Optical Illusion
Drivers cannot see the actual position of the vehicle
on the roadway.
Blind Area creates an optical illusion that makes
the vehicle seem larger than it really is.
Reference Points Help Drivers Overcome This Problem
5. 5
Reference Points Defined
A Reference Point is a place
on the vehicle that relates to
some part of the roadway
Used for precision vehicle
placement
Reference: Mottola, F. R. (1997). “Empower Yourself with Zone Control Driving”
6. 6
Advantages of Reference
Points
Helps to overcome the optical illusion caused
by the body of the vehicle blocking the
drivers view of the operating space.
Allows for accurate lane position adjustments.
Allows drivers to confidently maneuver in
confined places.
The reference points for one vehicle can be
applied to any vehicle.
7. 7
Right Side Limit
3-6 inches away from a line or curb
Used when positioning vehicle on the right edge of the lane,
Lane position 3, and parking
Standard Reference Point: Center of the hood.
The curb, pavement line, or edge of the road appears to line
up with the center of the hood.
8. 8
Where are the right side tires in relationship to
the curb?
A. In the grass
B. A foot to the left of the curb
C. Just to the left of the curb
11. 11
Front Limit
The curb, pavement
line, or edge of the road
appears to line up under
the side mirror or with the
corner post.
Standard Reference Point:
Corner post or side mirror.
12. 12
Front Limit
The curb line it appears to line up with the outside rear view mirror
or corner post.
How it is used?
• Precision legal stop: When you are at intersections
• Safety Stop to get a clear line-of-sight
• When you are perpendicular parking
13. 13
Where is the front bumper in relationship to the
white line?
A. Well beyond the line, penetrating the traffic lane
B. Just over the line
C. Just before the line
19. 19
Rear Limit
The curb, pavement
line, or edge of the road
appears to line up one foot
behind the door post or the
middle of the rear side
window
Standard Reference Point:
1 foot behind the door post or the middle of the rear side
window.
Used when backing to
stop before a line,
curb, sidewalk or wall.
21. 21
Review Standard Reference
Points
Center of the Hood
Right Side Limit
Corner Post or Side Mirror
Front Limit
Rear Corner Post or Blind spot, directly above the center of
the rear tire
Pivot Point for Backing Turns
Editor's Notes
Revised 7-07
When do we use reference points?
Reference points help you know where you are in the void area.
Where should you practice your reference points?
Practice in the parking lot. Where is your reference point on the left side?
How would you know you are in lane position 1?
What should you use if you do NOT have a hood ornament?
Are reference points same on different cars or people with different heights?
When would you move to each of these lane positions- Make it easy for students to know these
Airplane steward What is lane position 6- How often do you check it? Why?