Driving Lessons on Reverse Bay Parking
Driving Instructors can tailor a driving course that will help you cope with all of the following. Your driving instructor can help you with this.
If you are asked to reverse into a parking bay, you can usually choose whether to reverse from the right or the left.
Reverse parking into a bay must be carried out at the test centre at the start or end of the test, when there is a car park at the test centre. So if your test centre does not have a car park, you will may not be asked to do this exercise.
However, it is possible that on your test route you could pass another test centre with a car park. It has been known that this has been used to do a bay park exercise. Please check with your own instructor whether this is likely to happen on your test.
The examiner on the driving test will expect you to do your bay parking:-
- Safely
- Smoothly
- Under control
- proper use of the accelerator, clutch, brakes and steering
- Without crossing the white bay marking.
The examiner will also be looking to see that you:-
- Are aware of other road users
- Keep looking all around throughout the manoeuvre
- You can choose whether to reverse from the right or the left. When practising you will be able to see which way suits you best
- Look at the layout markings and the size of the space available
- Use your mirrors and signal if necessary
- Check your position and keep your speed down
- Use effective all-round observation
- Look out for pedestrians
- Reverse and park as neatly as possible, with your wheels straight
- Make sure that your vehicle is neatly parked between the layout markings in the bay
When doing these manoeuvres take your time, reverse under full control, safely and steadily. Always use good, effective all-round observation and show consideration to other road users.
You should be aware that if any "shunting" (moving forwards then back again) is needed to correct your ultimate position between the lines, then it must be done BEFORE your car enters the bay. Beware: they're really picky on this one! I've seen people fail for having just half of one tyre over a bay line. Critics say that if the Examiner has to open the door & lean out to check the line, how the heck is an inexperienced driver supposed to be able to judge