This document discusses using visual reference points to help with vehicle positioning while driving and parking. It provides examples of reference points for different vehicle locations, such as being centered in a lane, a certain distance from the curb or lane line, and how to properly position the vehicle when stopping or parking. Reference points make use of where certain vehicle features like headlights or mirrors line up with road markings to help the driver accurately judge vehicle placement. Mastering these reference points improves driving skills like lane positioning and parking between lines.

1. Where Am I ???
Using Reference Points for Driving and
Parking
Copyright: The Educated Driver
The illustrations used in this presentation are a guide to Vehicle
Reference Points (VRP), and they will differ slightly from vehicle to
vehicle. However, they are fairly reliable, and it is up to you, the vehicle
owner, to determine the PRECISE VRP of your vehicle.

2. Copyright: The Educated Driver
90% of our decision-making, while driving, is derived from what we see.
Unfortunately, we have been instructed for years to “keep your eyes on the road
ahead”, which is a vision-fault. Your eyes should be constantly moving, searching for,
and identifying, hazards and the driving environment.
One of the biggest neglects in vision training for new drivers , is identifying the
vehicle’s actual location, within a lane, next to a curb, or parking. We are going to
have a look at how using Visual Reference Points (VRP) can assist you in knowing
precisely where you are.

3. Copyright: The Educated Driver
Lane Positioning
For the past several decades, Highway Departments have been moving towards
a standard, 12-foot wide lane, to more easily accommodate larger SUV’s and
trucks. A new driver tends to feel “crowded” in a lane that generally has 3 feet
of space on either side of it, because they haven’t been taught how to reference
ahead using sight lines.
This position
(centered) in the
lane, is referred to
as LP1
(Lane Position 1)

4. Copyright: The Educated Driver
Lane & Curb Positioning
For positioning your vehicle in a lane, you have four basic VRP sightlines, two on the left
and two on the right. Each one is designed to put you within either 3-6 inches of the lane-
line or curb, or 3 feet from the lane-line.
To determine YOUR vehicle’s VRP, park in an open area next to a curb or
visible line to your left, within 3-6 inches if the line. Exit the vehicle to
be sure of your position. Then, sitting in a normal driving position, and
without moving your head, look towards the curb and notice where the
curb or line intersects with your vehicle. It should be right about where
your left headlight, or hood seam, is. This can help you to be centered
in a parking space.
Repeat this for parking 3 feet from the line, and you should notice that
the point of intersection is just above the left wheel. This VRP will help
you to maintain center-of-lane (lane position 1) while driving.

5. Copyright: The Educated Driver
The Circles show the corresponding locations in the drawing, as well as in the photos.
2003 Mitsubishi
Galant: VRP is above
the left headlight.
4 inches from line.
2003 Mitsubishi
Galant: VRP is above
the left wheel-well.
3 feet from line.
Lane & Curb Positioning

6. Copyright: The Educated Driver
Since you sit on the left side of the vehicle, right-side VRP’s are a bit
more tricky, due to the more extreme angle of the sight-lines.
As you did for the left side VRP, park in an open area next to a curb
or visible line to your right, within 3-6 inches if the line. Exit the
vehicle to be sure of your position. Then, sitting in a normal driving
position, and without moving your head, look towards the curb and
notice where the curb or line intersects with your vehicle. It should
be right about where the center of your hood is. This can help you to
be centered in a parking space.
Repeat this for parking 3 feet from the line, and you should notice
that the point of intersection is just above the right headlight. This
VRP will help you to maintain center-of-lane (lane position 1) while
driving.
Lane & Curb Positioning

7. Copyright: The Educated Driver
Lane & Curb Positioning
2003 Mitsubishi
Galant: VRP is above
the center of hood.
3 inches from line.
2003 Mitsubishi
Galant: VRP is above
the right headlight.
3 feet from line.

8. Copyright: The Educated Driver
Positioning for Parking
While sitting normally in the driver’s
seat, a quick glance at your side-view
mirrors can give you a good idea of
when to stop, while pulling into a
parking spot.
Notice how the front separator line of
the parking spaces, or curb, or even the
line of “bump-stops” at the end of a
parking space, can be seen lining up just
beneath the mirrors (or the door hinge-
post if there is no mirror on that side).
This will place you about 3-6 inches from
the stop. This also works for stop lines at
intersections.

9. Copyright: The Educated Driver
Positioning for Stopping
Speaking of stop lines, all 50
states require you to stop with
your entire vehicle BEHIND, not
ON, the stop line. This VRP with
the mirrors can help you to
comply with the law.
Sometimes, you can’t see the
stop line, then what? At
intersections, you will note that
the YELLOW line stops AT the
white stop line. This can be used
as a visual reference in those
cases. Also, a STOP line before a
crosswalk means stop at the
line, NOT at the crosswalk.

10. Copyright: The Educated Driver
Positioning for Parking
Both angled and perpendicular (straight-
in) parking, require a slightly different
VRP, by using the empty space itself.
For angled parking, keep a distance of
roughly 5 feet AWAY from the parking
space ends, and for perpendicular
parking, about 6-8 feet away.
Drive straight ahead until you can see at
least ¾ of the way INTO the parking
space; then keep looking at the END of
the parking space as you turn into it (we
call this looking through the space) for
your visual pathway.

11. Copyright: The Educated Driver
Using Reference Points for Driving and
Parking
Of course, none of these VRP tips will work if you
can’t even sit properly when driving. “Taking in
the scene with a gangsta lean” or any improper
position while seated, will not allow you to “see”
the driving environment, and use the visual
references shown here.
Drive like a driver who is educated about his or
her skill!