Reverse Bay Parking - Reversing into a parking bay
Reversing into a parking bay
Before reversing into a parking 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
See Telford Test Route Tips
See This In Action at My driving Lesson
Choose Your Bay
FIRSTLY Choose the bay that you want to reverse into.
Ignore both lines of that bay - (Marked in yellow)
Then count two lines past your chosen bay
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.
Ignore the bay count 2 lines past
The 2 green lines are the bay that we are choosing
We ignore those and count 2 white lines past them (2nd Red Arrow)
Reference point - This varies for each driver but is roughly around half way on the door
Stop - Into reverse
Effective Observations
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. - Full left lock
Full Left Lock
As you are slowly reversing, constantly look around in all directions, including the rear windscreen and the blind spot to the right. If any pedestrians or vehicles get close, stop the car. If they are going to go past, wait until clear before proceeding. If they stop and wait for you, then continue.
Continuously perform all-round observation and as the car begins to turn, keep checking the left side mirror as you should see yellow line ‘A’ beginning to appear in it.
You will be able to establish how close or far you are from this line by using the left side mirror.
The closer the car heads towards the bay, you will see yellow line ‘B’ appear in the right mirror.
It’s essential you keep looking around and keep checking reference points – that’s a lot of looking, so ensure you keep the car very slow to fit it all in!
Look for the lines
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.
If it goes wrong
If it goes wrong then don't worry.
Simply drive forward as far as you can and straighten up.
You will now see the lines of your bay in your door mirrors.
Aim to put the car in the centre of the bay, remembering that going backwards, you still steer in the same direction as you want the car to go
Forward Bay Park
Learn how to do the reverse bay park, including the reference points you need to position the car accurately and safely within the parking bay.
Pull up on the right
Learn how to pull up on the right and reverse, including the reference points and observations you need to position the car safely and accurately.
Parallel Parking
Learn how to parallel park, including the reference points, steering and observations you need to position the car safely, accurately and close to the kerb.
Emergency Stop
Learn how to perform an emergency stop, including the observations, braking and control needed to stop the car quickly, safely and under full control.
Turn in the road
Learn how to perform an turn in the road, including the observations, braking and control needed to stop the car quickly, safely and under full control.