The Bay Park

From 5th May 1999 you may be required to do the reverse park exercise as a reversing into a parking bay at the driving test car park.
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 NOT be asked to do this exercise.

The examiner on the driving test will expect you to do your bay parking:- 

·  Safely.

·  Smoothly.

·  Under control.

·  Making 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. 

Reverse Parking

In this post, we're going to help you tackle the reverse park.



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-manoeuvre routine 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 

Reverse Around a Corner

For our first instructional blog post, I thought i'd jump into one of the manoeuvres that pupils tend to struggle with... The dreaded Reverse around a corner!
If you're finding it difficult, check the diagram at the bottom of this post for an illustration.



Using reverse gear is difficult for new drivers. The car steers differently, the front wheels become, in effect, the rear ones. When you drive forward you can see the car turning when you steer. In reverse, you have to wait for the steering to take effect.

The examiner on the test will expect you to reverse:-

·  Safely

·  Correctly

·  Smoothly

·  Under control

·  Keeping reasonably close to the kerb

·  Without mounting or hitting the kerb

·  Without swinging out too wide.

The examiner will also be looking to see that you:-

·  Check traffic and road conditions

·  Look out for traffic and pedestrians

·  Stop in a safe position. 

As long as you stick to the following sequence and remember to check for hazards, then you will have no problem with this manoeuvre on your test!