Bay Parking
Bay parking is a driving skill that involves reversing into and out of a marked bay space in a car park or other area. This is an essential skill for all drivers to master as it is used in many real-world scenarios. Once you have passed your driving test you will often have to park in tight spaces, car parks for work, the supermarket or other shops or entertainment venues.
Bay parking requires precision and concentration, it is one of the manoeuvres that people learning to drive can find difficult and daunting, but with proper guidance, tuition, and practice it can become second nature to any driver.
There are two types of bay parking reverse bay parking, where you reverse into a parking bay and drive out, or forward bay parking where you drive into a parking bay and reverse out.
Since 2017, front and reverse bay parking have been included as one of the manoeuvres that you may be asked to demonstrate on your driving test. Examiners could ask you to perform either forward or reverse bay parking, so you should ensure you understand and have practiced both forward and reverse bay parking with your driving instructor during your driving lessons.
What should I look for when I am bay parking?
At all times while performing this manoeuvre you should demonstrate that you are in control, take it slow and steady, but be decisive. Observations are vital and throughout the manoeuvre your should be checking for potential hazards, other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians or other hazards. If there are any other road users approaching you should always stop to let them pass and only continue once it is safe to do so. Check your mirrors and blind spots throughout.
If you make a mistake during your driving test don’t assume you have failed. It may only be a minor fault if there is an error in accuracy or control. What’s more important is that no one is put in potential danger.
When completed the car should be fully within the bay lines, try not to stick out or clip the kerb.
Forward bay parking
Driving into a parking bay can seem an easier option and more convenient than reversing in. But when you are ready to leave you may need to reverse out of that space, potentially into a busy road or pedestrian thoroughfare.
If you are asked to do this during your driving test, try to choose a bay without vehicles on either side, so that you can clearly see the parking lines.
Assess and decide if your vehicle can fit into the bay
Slowly position your car and find your reference point, this may change depending on the vehicle you are driving so ensure you have practiced.
Give yourself plenty of room to enter the bay
Check your mirrors and blind spots for any hazards or other road users and turn on your indicator to signal that you are parking.
When it is safe to do so, steer slowly into the bay and if necessary straighten up the vehicle.
Reversing out of a parking bay
Before you reverse out of a space you should check which direction you need to take, as in some cases car parks or roads can be part of a one-way system.
Complete all your observations including all mirrors and blind spots. Put the car into reverse gear and when it’s safe to do so slowly reverse out, checking your mirrors, blind spots, and looking over your shoulders. When the front of your vehicle is most of the way out of the space, turn the wheel to full lock to the opposite direction that you need to turn. Reverse slowly until you are confident that you are able to safely drive off, then select first gear, and check your mirrors and blind spots before moving off.
Reverse bay parking
When you reverse bay park it makes your observations much easier and you will have a better view of other road users.
Choose a bay that you can fit your vehicle into
Pull your car around two car lengths past the bay you have chosen, and position your vehicle towards the centre of the road, this makes the turn easier
Check your mirrors, blind spots, and rear view window. Steel on full lock slowly moving into the bay while constantly checking your mirrors and around the vehicle.
Straighten the steering wheel when the car is parallel with the white lines of the bay
Edge back slowly, be careful not to clip the kerb or anything else
You are allowed to drive forward and readjust your position if you need to