How to Perform a Bay Park
On your driving test, the examiner will expect you to perform the Bay Parking Manoeuvre:
- Make proper use of the accelerator, clutch, brakes, and steering.
- Make proper use of the accelerator, clutch, brakes and steering.
- Steer in the correct manner, keeping a reasonable distance from any other vehicles.
- Signal if necessary – if other road users are near.
- Without crossing the white bay marking.
The examiner will also be looking to see that you:
- Are aware of other road users (both motorists and pedestrians) and keep looking all around throughout the manoeuvre.
On your test, you will only be asked to perform a bay park if the test centre has a car park with marked bays. You cannot perform the bay parking manoeuvre elsewhere.
Don’t feel pressure to rush this manoeuvre. The examiner will allow you plenty of time, around four minutes, to complete the bay park.
If at any time you feel you are not getting into the bay correctly, stop, pull forwards and straighten out in front of the bay. You can then straight reverse into the bay.
Turning On Approach Method
If there is enough space, you can turn the car as you approach the parking pay so that you are in a better position to reverse into it.
Turning On Approach
Standard Approach
Why Reverse Park?
As a rule, most car parks have parking bays marked out with white lines. Reversing into these bays is normally the best option as it is easier to manoeuvre a car in reverse. It is also safer to drive out forwards.
Additional Info
When choosing a bay to park in, look out for badly parked cars on either side of the bay, as these can make it difficult for you to park or open the car door.
Don’t use parking bays dedicated to the disabled or parents with children when you are not entitled to use them. If you do, you may risk incurring a fine.
Always try and park squarely in the bay so that you don’t make it difficult for others to enter or exit adjacent bays.
Remember – some car parks fine drivers for parking in bays incorrectly – even if a car wheel is slightly over the bay line.