BAY PARKING REFERENCE POINTS

Bay parking reference point A

BAY PARKING REFERENCE POINT A

As you pull alongside the bays to the point of turn, as suggested in diagram A in the
bay parking tutorial, the point of turn line will need to be lined up in the centre of the
passenger side door. When you steer full left lock, it will guide you into the 3rd bay
from this line. This reference point may need to be altered slightly for different
makes of cars. Reference point A is the most important reference point in bay
parking manoeuvre. If this initial reference point is not accurate, the entire
manoeuvre is not likely to succeed.

Bay parking reference point B

BAY PARKING REFERENCE POINT B

As you begin to reverse of full left steering lock, you will see line A (the line to the
left of your bay) start to appear in the left wing mirror.
Keeping a check on this will allow you to establish that you are going into the bay
correctly. Sit upright to get the best possible view of this reference point whilst
reversing.

Bay parking reference point C

BAY PARKING REFERENCE POINT C

A little later as you are reversing on full left steering lock, Line B (the line to the right
of your bay) will appear in the right wing mirror.
Again, sit upright to gain the best view and keep checking between the lines of
reference point B and C.

Bay parking reference point D

BAY PARKING REFERENCE POINT D

You will know when the car is straight because both lines in both wing mirrors will be
parallel to your car as in the picture. As soon as they become parallel, ensure you
briskly straighten the steering wheel. To know how far you should go back before
stopping, you can use the junction line reference point as a guide. Using the junction
lines reference point will put you sufficiently back in the bay without fear ofhitting
the kerb or wall at the rear. If there is no line joining the individual bay lines, imagine
where it would be and use that.

BAY PARKING TIPS

Along with using reference points for the bay parking manoeuvre, here are some key
tips to help you succeed:

Keep the car extremely slow

Constantly check reference points

Constantly look all around for approaching vehicles or pedestrians and stop if
necessary

If you feel the manoeuvre is going wrong, pull forward and and try again

If the manoeuvre did not finish correctly, ask if you can try again

PARALLEL PARKING REFERENCE POINTS

The parallel parking or reverse parking manoeuvre as its also known has a
reputation for being one of the most difficult test manoeuvres and as a result, fails a
great many driving tests. Its important to use a structured technique and to practice
this technique until a level of proficiency is reached so that each and every parallel
park is accomplished successfully. It doesnt have to be completed in one complete
manoeuvre however as many think. It is acceptable to move forward and make
adjustments during the manoeuvre, providing this is done safely with constant allround observation.

A structured technique is applied by use of reference points. There are several

techniques that can be used for the parallel park, which ever technique used, using
reference points aids learner drivers accomplish this manoeuvre. These reference
points are to be used alongside the main parallel parking / reverse parking tutorial
which provides a complete in-depth guide on how to parallel park.

USING THE REFERENCE POINTS

Many reference points taught whilst learning to drive can be vehicle specific,
essentially using a particular point on the car to line up with the road or pavement.
As a result, reference point markers may need to be altered slightly depending on
your vehicle.

Parallel parking reference point A

PARALLEL PARKING REFERENCE POINT A

Pulling alongside the car you wish to park behind, try and keep around 1 metre
distance from door to door.
Drive past the car you intend on parking behind slightly. Reference point A shows the
front of this car lined up with the centre of your passenger side front window. This
reference point doesnt have to be exact, although it provides a guide on where to
stop.

Parallel parking reference point B

PARALLEL PARKING REFERENCE POINT B

As you begin to reverse back, reference point B will line the back of the cars up.
There are a few ways to establish this. If the cars are the same length and facing the
same direction, you may line the door mirrors up. Alternatively, the front (or back
depending on which direction the car is facing) up with the centre of the rear left
window.
This must be completely the end of the vehicle lined up, such as their bumper. Sit up
straight as you can as is may be a little difficult to see the end of their car. With
plenty of practice, you will estimate this accurately.

Parallel parking reference point C

PARALLEL PARKING REFERENCE POINT C

Reversing now, you will turn the wheel one complete turn to the left. Keep this part
of the manoeuvre extremely slow as its important not to over-shoot this reference
point.
As you reverse, you will see a triangle form in the left door mirror between the kerb
and the side of your car as can be seen in the A part of the diagram. As you
reverse, the triangle will get smaller. Keep reversing until the triangle nearly
disappears. When you can only see a tiny triangle such as in the B part of the
diagram, stop the car.

Parallel parking reference point D

PARALLEL PARKING REFERENCE POINT D

At this point now, the rear wheel will be very close to the kerb so you just want the
front of the car to swing round to the left parallel to the kerb.
Steer full right lock just as you begin moving slowly backwards. Steer immediately
and as quickly as possible as you may risk the rear wheel hitting the kerb.

The final reference point is to use the left door mirror and wait for the kerb and the
side of the car to become parallel with each other as shown in the diagram. Just as
you see they are nearly parallel, steer one turn to the left to straighten the wheels
and stop the car.

PARALLEL / REVERSE PARKING TIPS

Along with using reference points for the parallel parking manoeuvre, here are some
key tips to help you succeed:

Keep the car extremely slow

Constantly check reference points. If you miss a reference point or over-shoot

one, drive forward again if necessary to re-establish the reference point.

Constantly look all around for approaching vehicles or pedestrians and stop if
necessary. If this isnt done you will fail the manoeuvre and the entire driving test.

If the manoeuvre did not finish correctly or you hit the kerb, ask if you can try
again

REVERSE ROUND A CORNER

The reversing round a corner or left corner reverse as it is sometimes known is one
of 4 manoeuvres you will need to learn before taking the driving test. The reverse
round a corner manoeuvre is also one of the more common manoeuvres asked by
the test examiner for you to perform during the practical driving test. This tutorial
will demonstrate an ideal technique along with reference points that the examiner
will be looking for in order to pass this part of the driving test.

The test examiner will be looking for 3 key skills demonstrated by yourself in order to
successfully complete the reverse around a corner manoeuvre. These skills are:

Accuracy The test examiner will be assessing your ability to reverse round
the corner, not touching the kerb / curb or straying too far onto the other side of the
road.

Control The examiner will be judging your ability to keep the car at a slow
and stable speed by use of clutch control.

Observation. Effective and all round observation must be taken whilst

performing the reverse round a corner manoeuvre.

Reverse round a corner diagram A

REVERSE ROUND A CORNER DIAGRAM A

During the driving test, the examiner will ask you to park up on the left on many
occasions. They are observing your accuracy and safety for parking. Another
occasion may be the examiner is going to request you demonstrate the reverse
round a corner.
The examiner will ask you to park up on the left, just before the turn you are going to
reverse into as in diagram A. When the examiner asks you to park up, ensure you
check your main mirror, your left mirror and signal to the left if necessary. Once you
have stopped the car, cancel the signal if applicable, apply the handbrake and select
neutral. The examiner is now going to ask you that they would like you to
demonstrate the reverse round a corner manoeuvre.

REVERSE ROUND A CORNER DIAGRAM B

Reverse round a corner diagram B

Select first gear, check your main, right mirror and the blind spotto your right and
move off into the position in diagram B. As you are moving off to this position, check
the road you are going to be reversing into is clear from obstructions.
Before stopping on the left, check your main mirror, your left mirror and if necessary,
signal to the left, just as you would normally park up.
A good parking position in general is around 6 inches from the kerb, however, when
parking on the left with the intention of demonstrating the reverse round a corner,
park a little further away from the kerb, around a steering wheel width distance.
Also, ensure that your car is straight and that your steering wheel is straight. This
will ensure you have a good start when you begin reversing.
If you park to close to the kerb, as you will be reversing, there is a greater chance of
you hitting the kerb if you stop too close. If you feel you have parked too close, tell
the examiner you are going to pull forward slightly to correct this. Providing you do
all the necessary safety checks before correcting, the examiner should be happy with
this. Once you have stopped in an ideal position, cancel the indicator if applicable,
apply the handbrake and select reverse gear.

REVERSE ROUND A CORNER DIAGRAM C

Reverse round a corner diagram C

You will now need to have a straight reverse to the point of turn indicated in diagram
C. Before you begin to move the car in reverse, all round observations must be
completed. If there are any cars or cyclists approaching, wait till they have passed.
Be careful of pedestrians also. If a pedestrian is close to the car, you may want to
stop and wait for them to pass. Once you are happy it is clear, your observation
should then be out of the rear window as this is the direction you are travelling.
If there is any delay between your observations and moving the car, all round
observation should be completed again. It only takes a few seconds for the situation
to change. As you are reversing to the point of turn, frequent checks should be made
in your left mirror to establish your distance from the kerb and to gauge where the
point of turn is. Frequent checks should be made in the front and out of the rear
window. If any vehicles, cyclist or pedestrian approaches to a hazardous distance,
stop and let them pass. It is tempting to just stare at the left mirror, but by not
making all round frequent checks will likely fail your test.
Now take a look in your left mirror. You should be able to see the kerb going down
the road, the distance the car is away from the kerb and the fact that the kerb is
parallel to the car. Take a snapshot of that view as it is a similar view you want in the
left mirror when you have driven round the corner.
Speed
You will need to keep your car very slow. If you think of a slow walking pace, that
should give you an idea. This speed can be controlled by clutch control. As it is a
very slow speed, you may be able to just use the clutch and cover the brake ready to

stop if need be. Some cars dont allow this however and need some gentle gas too. If
you feel your speed is creeping up, keep control, slow down or stop if necessary. The
examiners permit you plenty of time for manoeuvres. Use it. By performing the
reverse round a corner very slowly will enable you to keep good control whilst
making frequent all round checks.
Whilst reversing, try and keep an equal distance from the kerb, not straying too close
or too far into the road. Remember, steer towards the kerb to go towards it and steer
away from the kerb to get away from it.
The point of turn
Your instructor should provide you with some reference points on how to reach the
point of turn. A good indication of where it is, is looking in your left mirror, you will
see the straight kerb going down the road with the corner that you are going to
reverse round. Whilst reversing, sit up as high as you can make yourself and ensure
all the straight part of the kerb has gone. When you can see only the corner in your
left mirror and when the corner itself has nearly disappeared from your mirror, that
will be the point of turn. When you have reached the point of turn, stop the car.
You dont have to stop at this point, but by doing so will ensure you perform critical
observations at this point. Ensure you can just see the corner in your left mirror when
you stop. If you can see the kerb, then you know where it is. If you feel you have
over-shot the point of turn by too much, explain to the examiner that you would like
to pull forward slightly to adjust. By correcting yourself like this, it may possibly lead
to a minor fault, but it is of course better than losing control of where you are and
failing the entire test.

REVERSE ROUND A CORNER DIAGRAM D

Reverse round a corner diagram D

When moving away from the point of turn, you are going to need to steer left to go
round the corner. This is going to make the front of your car move out into the road
as in diagram D. Before you move from the point of turn, stop the car, take all round
observation,. This includes the front and your right blind-spot. It is essential because
as the front of your car is swinging out, a cyclist could be in your blind-spot. Once
you are happy all is clear, look out the rear window and proceed backwards.
Steering
How much left steer really depends on how sharp the bend is. The sharper the bend
the more left steer you will need. You will be able to assess this easier with the more
practice of the manoeuvre. As a beginner, turn the wheel one complete turn to the
left. Whilst reversing, you can if you find it easier, steer with one hand. Your hands
should ideally be situated at the top and keeping within the quarter to three position.
Going round the corner is the most difficult part. Keep your car extra slow at this
point. Remember the kerb that you could just see in your left mirror at the point of
turn? Try and keep the kerb in your left mirror whilst going all the way round the
corner. If you lose sight of it then you will have some over-correcting to do which
complicates things.
One of keys to this manoeuvre is quick reaction. If the kerb starts to disappear then
steer towards the kerb to bring it further back in view. If it gets closer, steer away
from it. Taking too long to react may result in hitting the kerb or ending up on the
other side of the road. Both of which are likely to result in a test fail

Observation
Remember, dont just stare at the left mirror. Constant all-round observation is
needed. It is dangerous if you dont and it will also fail your test. Observation whilst
going round the corner should be to the left and right of the road and out of the rear
window in the direction you are travelling. Providing the car is very slow, you can do
all of this and keep good control.
Stopping the car
As you are driving round the corner in reverse, the front of your car is hazardous and
straying more into the road. If any vehicles or cyclists are approaching from your left,
right or behind you, stop the car. Generally, when you reach the point that your car is
entering the new road and is getting out of traffics way off the old road instead of in
its way, there is no need to stop. At this point, only stop if traffic is entering the road
you are driving into or if it is coming from behind you.
Usually, traffic coming from behind you should realise what you are doing and drive
around you. If they happen to stop directly behind you and do not attempt to go
round you, you may have no other option but to pull forward to get out of their
way. Remember when I said take a snap-shot of the left mirror in diagram C? As you
round the corner, that is the view you are looking for again.
As the kerb in your left mirror begins to straighten and gets parallel with your car,
straighten your wheel up. It is then a case of a simple straight reverse until the
examiner asks you to stop. Once you have stopped, apply the handbrake and select
neutral.

REVERSE ROUND A CORNER TIPS

Below lists many tips for correctly completing the reverse around a corner
manoeuvre.

View of the kerb and corner in left mirror

REVERSE ROUND A CORNER VIEW IN MIRROR

View of the left door mirror when you have parked up on the left ready for the
reverse round a corner manoeuvre. Continue reversing until all the straight kerb has
gone and keeping the same distance from the kerb. when all the straight kerb has
gone, you will have reached the point of turn.

Point of turn

POINT OF TURN
The straight kerb has all gone from the left door mirror and you can only see the
curve of the corner in your mirror. You will now know the rear of your car has reached
the start of the corner called the point of turn ready for turning. As you set off,
gently turn to the left, keeping a similar distance from the kerb at all times.

SPEED

Keeping the car as slow as possible will make the reverse round a corner much
easier. It will allow you to constantly observe in all directions and to be accurate in
terms of a safe distance from the kerb.

OBSERVATION
You can perform the best reverse round a corner ever, but not enough looking
around will fail the driving test. Constant all-round observation is a must, especially
at potentially hazardous moments such as the point of turn.

APPROACHING VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS

As this manoeuvre is reversing, it is potentially dangerous as it is difficult to see.
Stop for any vehicles and cyclists that are attempting to go round you. If any
pedestrians come close to your car, stop allow them to pass before you continue.

READJUSTING
If you feel that you have overshot a reference point for example, getting too close to
the kerb or too far, dont be afraid to readjust. If you need to pull forward, inform the
examiner what you are doing, and ensure you do all the safety checks before doing
so. Readjusting like this may possibly gain you a minor fault, but its better than
risking hitting or mounting the kerb which is highly likely to result in a test failure.

THE KERB
Essentially, you can get as close to the kerb as you like, providing you just dont hit
it. When you have finished the reverse round a corner manoeuvre, how close you
finish to the kerb depends on the width of the road you are reversing into. You dont
want to impede other road users, so if the road is quite narrow you will need to finish
close to the kerb as you dont want to prevent another vehicle from driving round
you.

ADDITIONAL MIRRORS
The use of additional mirrors attached to the side mirrors will gain you extra visibility.
They may also allow you to see the kerb easier, giving you better control over the
manoeuvre.

SEAT BELT

whilst reversing, you are legally permitted to remove your seat belt. If you feel that
whilst performing the reverse round a corner manoeuvre your seat belt is restricting
you from moving and observing in any way, consider removing it. Remember though,
if you do pull forward to correct or forget to put it on when you drive forward after
completing the manoeuvre, you will fail your test.

Sequence for reversing to the left

A
On the approach, draw up to the kerb on the left. Cancel your indicator. Note any
obstructions and the type of corner.( The corner shown is a sharp left angle turn somecorners are wide with very long turns, semi-sharp). Move off following the MSM
procedure, remember to look over your right shoulder! Do you need to indicate? Drive to the
point beyond the junction at B.
B
Draw up about 0.5 metres from the kerb and about 2 car lengths past the junction. If you
used your indicators make sure they have cancelled. You are allowed to take your seat belt
off at this point if you find it makes it easier for you to turn around to see out of the rear
window. Carry out a visual check all round. If clear, engage reverse gear and move off
very slowly. DO NOT use any signals.
C
Looking in the rear window by looking over your left shoulder, you will see the kerb
disappear behind the car pillar and start to appear in the rear side window. At this point turn
the steering wheel fully to the left ( This is a sharp corner remember).
The front of the car will swing out, so check for traffic both ways and for pedestrians behind,
continue very slow if clear. If a vehicle comes down the road you are reversing round, STOP.
If the vehicle continues with its journey than wait until they pass and you can then carry on.
If the vehicle stops behind you, then you are causing an obstruction so you will have to
engage first gear and move back to B where you can start the process again.
On the test:-If someone comes right up close behind you after you have turned the corner,
but before the examiner has indicated it is finished, wait a moment , this is to give the
examiner a chance to say it is far enough, if he judges it is nearly finished.
If he says nothing, then pull forward round the corner and start again, without saying a word.
See the

D
Straighten up when looking out of your rear window and checking that
the car is running parallel to the kerb. Watch in front as well, if someone
comes around that corner and you do not notice, you will certainly fail
your test. If someone is coming STOP. Continue when they have passed

Reverse
Video
Duration: 1.42 min
Size: 3.73Mb

by. Keep a clearance of a few centimetres from the kerb. Stop on the examiner's
instruction.
E
Engage your handbrake and neutral. Put your seat belt back on. Wait for the examiners next
instruction Remember, perfection is not expected. Do not assume that you have failed if you
think it is not perfect. What you regard as an error may actually be extremely trivial, and not
marked at all.

How to do
Parallel Parking - Reverse Parking

Reverse parking
This takes advantage of a car's manoeuvrability when driving in reverse gear . When doing
this you will be something of an obstacle, so use of the mirror-signal-manoeuvreroutine is
important. It is also vital to keep a look-out for passing traffic.

The examiner on the driving test will expect you to:Reverse into a space of about two car lengths
Park your car at the kerb safely, smoothly and under control.
The examiner will also be looking to see that you:Take all-round observation
Do not get too close to the parked car
Do not mount the kerb
Stop reasonably close to the kerb

A
Drive forward and stop parallel to, and not more than one metre away from the blue car.
Select reverse gear. Look to check it's O.K. to move off. Drive back very slowly and watch
for the corner of the blue car appearing in the side window.
B
When you can see the corner of the blue car, turn the wheel to the left one full turn. Check

the road ahead and the road behind over your right shoulder. If it's safe, continue reversing
until the front of the car alines with the back of the blue car.
Turn the wheel fully to the right, watching you clear the blue car.
The car will begin to swing in towards the kerb.
C
Here you will be close to the kerb and the blue car. Still move the car very slowly and take off
some of the right lock so that the front of your car does not swing in too far. Check your
distance from the kerb and from the blue car.
Keep your car within two car lengths from the blue car.
D
Here you should be close to the kerb. If you need to correct your position you are allowed to
move forward and backwards to get it right. But too much will be frowned upon by the
Examiner.
If you are not in the middle of the road and not on the kerb you should be O.K.