Uk driving test parallel parking how to#
Uk driving test parallel parking code#

Once your observations are complete look out of the back window as this is the direction the car will be moving in, this will be your main focal point but make sure you keep checking around throughout the manoeuvre. Make sure that you have identified anything you need to keep a close eye on during the manoeuvre – such as a pedestrian walking on the pavement or a car reversing out of a drive. ObserveĬheck all around you ensuring all of your mirrors and blind spots have been observed and that it is safe to start reversing. If you are reversing into a space downhill make sure you use brake control. Now you need to prepare the car to reverse, do this by putting the clutch down, putting the car in reverse and finding the biting point. Your position should be parallel to the vehicle you are parking behind and around a metre away from it. Make sure you use your nearside mirror to judge where to stop and pull up just in front of the gap. Go through the Mirror Signal Manoeuvre (MSM) routine and, whether or not there is anyone around, signal if you need to. Parallel parking steps PositionĪpproach the space slowly and check that it is suitable. When you are driving independently after passing your test, make sure you select a space that is at least one and a half times the length of your vehicle so that you can fit into the space without difficulty. In your driving test if you are asked to parallel park the examiner will select the space for you and ask you to pull up before the car you will reverse either behind or in front of. To summarise here is what you need to ask yourself before selecting a parallel parking space: For instance, if you are going to need to reverse downhill into the space you need to make sure that you can control the car with confidence. The other essential thing you need to consider is if you can control your vehicle in the environment you have selected to park in.

Uk driving test parallel parking code#

To find such a place you can draw on your knowledge of road signs, road markings, and The Highway Code as well as your common sense.

Uk driving test parallel parking how to#

How to Parallel Park Parallel parking diagram Selecting a suitable spaceĪs you should do whenever you are parking you need to make sure that you identify a place that is a safe, convenient and legal position (known as the SCALP routine). It is one of the harder manoeuvres to get a handle on but once you’ve mastered it you will be able to get in all kinds of spaces. When parking in this way it means that there are more spaces available to you as you can fit into a smaller space by reversing into it. Parallel parking involves parking your car parallel to the road, normally in a line of other cars or vehicles.