‘Parallel Parking’ - Reverse Parking Manoeuvre for L-Test

This video is intended for L-Drivers & their Accompanying Driver, at the early stages of L-training when Rights, Lefts, & Steering Wheel Angles may sometimes seem confusing when reversing! It explores the BASIC skills of the Reverse Roadside Park (a.k.a. ‘Parallel Park’) as required for the DVSA Driving Test, and how to practice them.

During the DVSA L-Test, one of the manoeuvres you may be asked to perform is a Roadside Reverse/‘Parallel’ Park. The examiner merely requires you to demonstrate that you have the rudimentary car control, observation, & spacial awareness skills to perform the technique safely against one car; completing the manoeuvre within 2 car lengths. Page 242 of the DVSA’s book ‘Driving - the essential skills’ describes this: initially practicing using only one car, before progressing to park between two cars.

This video focuses on ‘test technique’ to help you be successful on test day, & safe to then practice and refine your skills independently once a full license holder. There are various techniques for approaching this manoeuvre but, being governed by Geometry, all will be variations of the same theme involving rotations of the steering wheel first to the LEFT, then to the RIGHT, to provide the necessary steering angles. Explore videos of other demonstrations to see which explanation/approach best suits you.

* This formulaic approach (1 Rotation LEFT, 1 Rotation RIGHT, Full Lock RIGHT; Straighten Wheels LEFT) helps the novice driver to know exactly where the wheels are pointing and, if point-of-turn reference points are hit, will deliver consistent results within the ‘2 car lengths’ space allowed by the Driving Test. Once confident, spaces between 2 cars can be explored. N.B.Turning circle radius & turns lock-to-lock will vary by car.

0m - 1m Demonstration of the manoeuvre filmed from outside the car; note the pace of the car and its finishing position relative to the curb/rain drainage grid.

1m - 5m27s In-car demonstration filmed over-shoulder, illustrating head movement for effective observation and steering wheel rotations & timings.

5m27s - 9m05s In-car demonstration filmed head-cam ‘point of view’ perspective.

** IMPORTANT: note that this centrally mounted head-camera ‘Cyclopes’ view is sometimes blocked by the B-pillar, but my eyes are moving to look well over my right shoulder into the ‘blind spot’ area. My eyes turn beyond the fixed ‘straight ahead’ of the camera lens, so make sure you are fully rotating your head to look over shoulder blind-spots & also out of the back window**

9m05s - 29m07s Static briefing of the technique using toy cars; detailed explanation of technique & Test requirements.

29m07s - 31m45s Another head-cam illustration/recap of the technique, also illustrating a pedestrian in the ‘blind spot’.

31m45s - 35m08s Identifying the ‘point-of-turn’ reference points on your own car.

* TIP! An alternative method for identifying your point-of-turn reference: pull up alongside any curb within a rain-drain width of it; wind on FULL RIGHT steering lock; slowly drive forward; stop when you reach 45 degrees/1.30 clock face. This is the Point-of-Turn for your car’s steering lock; look in the passenger mirror and identify a reference point while in this position.

35m08s - 42m09s Repetition, repetition, repetition! Practice makes ‘perfect’! A loop round a residential block illustrating how you can find multiple opportunities to practice this technique. Also highlighting how to fix things if it’s not quite ‘perfect’: 35m08s Downhill incline; 36m 30s curb touch ‘contingency plan’, drive forward adjustment option this technique gives.

8m & 38m ‘Dry Steering’ refers to rotating the steering wheel when the car is static; the powerful turning forces of power assisted steering can scrub tyres and, over time, strain steering component linkages, etc, so it is best avoided, particularly if you use this technique frequently. However, when manoeuvring in tight spaces, pausing the car and dry steering may be preferable to missing reference points and doing more serious damage to wheels and tyre side walls with curb contact, etc.Once you have mastered fine clutch control at slow speeds, do try to consciously avoid dry steering whenever possible, both when entering & exiting the space.

Advance & Performance PARKING! by Reg Local 8m30s: