Reverse Bay Parking

Reverse Bay Parking

Reverse Bay parking is a manoeuvre that many struggle with, but fortunately it’s less likely on the driving test compared to other manoeuvres due to not all driving test centres having bay parking bays available.

There are no rules to the bay parking manoeuvre as such, although during the driving test, the examiner will be looking for you to demonstrate 3 important key points. These are:

• Accuracy – To successfully park in a bay within the lines and not too close to a car on either side.
• Control – By keeping the cars speed under control by use of clutch control and by use of effective steering.
• Observation – Constant all-round observation throughout the bay parking manoeuvre.

Before reversing into an empty bay, the first thing that you need to do is to look and assess if the bay is actually available and suitable.

These days parking bays are reserved for the disabled, for moms and toddlers and for electric vehicles to re-charge whilst their owner goes shopping.

So you need to look for any signs or markings on the floor to help you decide if the parking bay is actually suitable

1. Positioning and Reference Point

First position the car in the centre of the road. Don’t worry where the point of turn is at the moment, concentrate on ensuring your car is reasonably in the centre of the road.

This will give sufficient distance from the bays you will be parking in by making the turning circle wider and therefore easier to manoeuvre and observe.

Plus, it will give sufficient distance to the right for when the car swings out, avoiding any obstacles such as kerbs or fences for example. Once you are happy that you are in the centre of the road, stop the car.

If you are on a slope, apply the handbrake. Select reverse gear regardless of other vehicles or pedestrians. Your reversing light will be illuminated showing them your intention to reverse the car.

Move very slowly forward and When you reach the second line make sure it is approximately half way along your passenger door (this point will vary slightly with each car and person)

At that point stop. This is your focal point or point of turn.

Before starting to reverse the car, take all round effective observation to ensure you are clear from other vehicles and pedestrians.

If you are happy it’s clear, it is important you look out of the rear windscreen as this is the way you are travelling (you’ll fail if you don’t).

Very slowly reverse the car.

Imagine a slow walking pace as an indication of speed.

and turn the wheel all the way to the left until it wont turn anymore.

(This is known as full left lock)

It is not compulsory to stop the car at this point, however by doing so it breaks the manoeuvre down into sections which makes things easier. It will also remind you to look at important areas that can be a deciding factor of if you pass or fail the driving test.

As soon as line A and B look level with the car in the side mirrors, straighten the wheel up.

It’s usually about a turn and a half of the steering wheel to straighten up from a lock.

Remember, if you need to adjust, steer towards which ever line you want to get closer to.

With reversing into a bay, people think that The manoeuvre has to be completed in a single move without adjustment.

This is not true. As you are reversing towards the bay and feel it is going             off-course, then the examiners are more than happy if you pull forward to correct.

After all what you are in effect saying is "If you give me a driving licence and i come to do this and it goes wrong, I will recognise it and correct it and keep everyone safe"