Manoeuvres: Step 8 - Parallel Parking
Spend as long as it takes to perfect your skill with this manoeuvre. Quiet suburban roads, or off road areas, are ideal. You should choose a road that is wide enough for other vehicles to pass while you are manoeuvring.
Many drivers avoid this manoeuvre, simply because they perceive it to be difficult. A likely reason for this is that they have only ever attempted it when under pressure from traffic in a busy street. If this sounds familiar… Start your practise by parking on quiet, wide roads to build your skill and confidence.
Although the parallel parking method is designed to enable drivers to reverse into 'tight' spaces between two cars, it can be tested by the DVSA using just one car - this is mainly for convenience given that there is a limited time available during a driving test, it's possible that there might not be time to search for an appropriate space between two vehicles.
As with all the manoeuvres we strongly suggest that you get plenty of practice, even if you come from a professional driving background - it's very easy to make a mistake with observation, or even control and accuracy when you are under test conditions - these things must become natural to ensure an early test pass.
Study the videos below in conjunction with the DriverActive notes about parking.
Note the timing of the reverse gear selection - to activate the reverse light as soon as possible.
This video explains the 'two o'clock' method for getting a good angle for reversing in.
Some Part-Two candidates are so relieved that they have successfully completed the parking manoeuvre that they 'mess up' moving off after the manoeuvre. Remember that the only time that you can 'fully relax' is when the test is over!
Note that if you have a rear-view camera you must not be over-reliant on it - use a camera screen in the same way that you might use the door mirrors.
As you have been learning with earlier manoeuvres, regardless of your current skill level, start your practise in a quiet location.
Remember that this is not simply an accuracy exercise - you need to keep a constant look out for other road users as you reverse - especially in the right blind spot area (over your right shoulder).
As with all manoeuvres, you are the odd one out, be prepared to give priority to other road users.
When you go out, take a copy of the DVSA Manual - Essential Skills, use this as a basis for measuring your performance.
We recommend that you include this manoeuvre in at least two practise sessions. Complete a project self-assessment after each session.
When practising this manoeuvre it is worthwhile continuing your practise of the other manoeuvres covered so far - at least one of each including straight reversing and angle starts.
Next: Reversing to the right