Parallel Park Manoeuvre

What manoeuvres are included in your practical test?

You’ll also be asked to do one of 3 possible reversing manoeuvres The ‘reverse around a corner’ and ‘turn-in-the-road’ manoeuvres are no longer tested, but you should still be taught them by your instructor.

  • MSPSL as you approach

  • Pull up beside the parked vehicle (max a metre/door width away & straight) and stop when your left hand mirror lines up with the front of the vehicle.

  • Handbrake & put the car into reverse.

  • Look at the camber of road and decide how much gas/biting point. Am I going up hill/down hill?

  • Observations all round

  • Handbrake off & half a turn LEFT. Slow car, quick steer.

  • Observations all round

  • When the left hand mirror lines up with the corner of the parked vehicle, half a turn RIGHT (the wheels are now straight)

  • Observations all round/slow car

  • Take the car slowly slowly back/observations all round

  • When the curb lines up with the back of the car (small mirror “V”) one turn RIGHT.

  • Observations/looking all round, especially the KERB

  • Just before the car is parallel one turn LEFT (to straighten wheels)

  • Handbrake up & take out of gear

  • Throughout the manoeuvre you can make any adjustments you want just keep its SAFE! Give way to all other road users including pedestrians. For more information please refer the “Driving The Essential skills”

Overview of manoeuvre