Manoeuvres - Reverse (Parallell) Park

The Reverse Park Manoeuvre

Reverse parking is a convenient way of parking into a space usually only big
enough for 1-2 cars and where driving forward would not always be ideal

Throughout the manoeuvre keep watch for other road users such as cars, mopeds or motor bikes, pedal cycles and any other hazards that could cause danger

Be careful of pedestrians around you as you park
into the space

Your examiner will expect you to WAIT while activity is close-and
only re-start when the way is CLEAR

If another car should approach from the
front as you are in the middle of your manoeuvre - stop - and make eye contact with the
driver ahead to establish their intentions. Never flash your headlights at them, or try to beckon them past in any other way

Sometimes
other cars will sit and wait for you. If they do, carry on and complete the
exercise, making sure to check all around for other road users

The examiner
will be looking to see that you:

• have control of your vehicle
• take effective
  observations and
• remain accurate throughout

1. Drive along side your chosen car
to to reverse behind. Try not to park too close, 1 metre is fine, and be careful
not to stop too far away from the vehicle (this will only give you more work!)
stop , handbrake on

2. Select reverse gear and find the 'bite'-make all round
observations and mirror checks, and over your right shoulder - if the way is clear look
out over your LEFT shoulder out the back window and release the handbrake-start
reversing back STRAIGHT until the back of your car is in line with the back of
your chosen vehicle-then turn once to the left. Your car will now be slowly
coming into the space behind. Keep clutch control throughout the manoeuvre by
holding the clutch at the bite & just below

3. When the wheel arch of YOUR
car is about to touch the kerbside-turn full lock to the right-you will now be
coming into the space directly behind the chosen vehicle and SHOULD be approx 1
foot away from the kerb. Handbrake on into neutral

4. You are now in a position
to move away safely from the side of the road with the wheel already in position
for turning out

Remember- the examiner is not looking for perfection-but will be
looking for you to maintain a slow steady pace throughout the manoeuvre,
checking all around you & making sure you are reasonably close to the kerb

If you 'go wrong' somewhere, you can 'shunt forward' and start again. The
examiner shouldn't mind this, but remember its a test-not a lesson