Bay parking is one of the four manoeuvres that you’ll need to learn before you sit your UK practical driving test. It can be tricky, and quite a few learner drivers struggle with it, so don’t worry if you’re having trouble.
A good driving instructor will be used to people struggling with learning how to bay park and will have plenty of tips and tricks to help you pull off this manoeuvre without any stress.
Bay parking is slightly less likely to come up on your driving test due to the fact that not all driving test centres have parkings bays. However, don’t assume that it won’t come up in your test; your examiner might surprise you.
In a test situation, bay parking is measured by accuracy, control and observation. You’ll be expected to park in a bay within the lines and without coming too close to neighbouring vehicles, to keep the vehicle under control and at an appropriate speed, and to maintain observation throughout the manoeuvre.
Our video is designed to give you an overview of how to bay park. It’s by no means a replacement for proper driving lessons, but it will make learning how to bay park a little easier.
Bay parking video driving lesson
Video transcription
Drive about two car lengths away from the bay you want to park in.
Observe your surroundings, check your blind spot and identify your target bay. When you’re sure it’s safe, start slowly reversing.
While keeping up observation, keep reversing until the first white line of the bay appears in the rear window.
If it’s still safe to continue the manoeuvre turn your wheel into a full left (or right, if you’re parking to the right) lock.
Ease off the lock and slowly move into the bay.
When you are safely within the lines of your bay, the manoeuvre has been completed.
For more learner driver resources, visit resources.miDrive.com.