Parking: reverse and parallel

By the end of this topic you can

• You can reverse into a parking bay and finish inside the lines.
• You can parallel park in a gap at the kerb, close to and parallel with it.
• You can use reference points on the car to judge your position.
• You can control the car at a crawl and keep looking all round.
• You can secure the car properly once parked.

What you need to know and understand

• The Rules of the Road says to park close to and parallel with the kerb unless bays are marked, and where possible to face the direction of traffic flow.
• Where bays are marked, park fully inside the bay.
• Reversing into a bay usually gives a better view when you drive out.
• When parked: handbrake on, engine off, and leave it in first or reverse gear (or P in an automatic).
• Check for cyclists and pedestrians before you or your passengers open a door.
• Signal your intention early so drivers behind know why you are slowing.

Reference points: your built-in guides

A reference point is a spot on the car, such as a door mirror or a point on the window, that lines up with a line or kerb when the car is in the right place. They differ from car to car and from driver to driver, because seat position and height change what you see. Your instructor will help you find points that work for you in your car.

Treat reference points as a guide, not a substitute for looking. A child, a bollard or a cyclist will not show up on a reference point.

Reverse parking into a bay

1. Choose a bay with free bays either side if you can, and check mirrors as you approach.
2. Drive past the bay until your reference point lines up with the bay line you will reverse around, then stop.
3. Check all round, including both blind spots.
4. Reverse slowly and steer towards the bay, checking both door mirrors and looking all round.
5. As the car straightens between the lines, straighten the wheel.
6. Stop when the car is fully inside the bay, then secure it.

Parallel parking behind a car

1. Signal, then stop alongside the parked car, about a door's width out, with your rear lined up with its rear.
2. Select reverse and check all round, especially for cyclists coming up on your left and traffic behind.
3. Reverse slowly until the rear of your car is level with the back of the parked car, then steer left.
4. When the car is at about 45 degrees to the kerb, take off the left lock.
5. As the front clears the parked car, steer right to bring the front in towards the kerb.
6. Straighten up close to and parallel with the kerb, then move forward or back to leave room in front and behind.

Common mistakes

• Going too fast. A crawl gives you time to correct the angle.
• Staring at reference points and forgetting to look all round.
• Ending up far from the kerb. Stop, pull forward and try again rather than leaving the car sticking out.
• Opening the door without checking. Look for cyclists before you get out.
• Parking somewhere illegal because the gap looked easy. Check signs and lines first.

Test yourself: Parking: reverse and parallel

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.