Bay parking reference points

This guide is to help successfully complete the ‘reversing into a bay’ bay parking manoeuvre and should be used alongside the bay parking tutorial.

An alternative manoeuvre for the new driving test is forward parking into a bay and reversing out, in which there is a separate tutorial.

The bay parking manoeuvre can be difficult, so to make all manoeuvres as easy as possible, it’s important to use reference points. Reference points are essentially ‘markers’ that are used throughout the manoeuvre. With constant practice, the bay parking reference points will become easy to find and to remember.

There are several techniques that can be used for teaching the bay parking manoeuvre, we have found that this technique is one of the easiest.

This bay parking reference points tutorial should be used alongside the bay parking manoeuvre tutorial as an aid to establishing reference points.

Bay parking reference point A

As you pull alongside the bays to the point of turn, as suggested in diagram A in the bay parking tutorial, the point of turn line will need to be lined up in the centre of the passenger side door. When you steer full left lock, it will guide you into the 3rd bay from this line. This reference point may need to be altered slightly for different makes of cars. Reference point A is the most important reference point in bay parking manoeuvre. If this initial reference point is not accurate, the entire manoeuvre is not likely to succeed.

Bay parking reference point B

As you begin to reverse of full left steering lock, you will see line A (the line to the left of your bay) start to appear in the left wing mirror.

Keeping a check on this will allow you to establish that you are going into the bay correctly. Sit upright to get the best possible view of this reference point whilst reversing.

Bay parking reference point C

A little later as you are reversing on full left steering lock, Line B (the line to the right of your bay) will appear in the right wing mirror.

Again, sit upright to gain the best view and keep checking between the lines of reference point B and C.

Bay parking reference point D

You will know when the car is straight because both lines in both wing mirrors will be parallel to your car as in the picture. As soon as they become parallel, ensure you briskly straighten the steering wheel. To know how far you should go back before stopping, you can use the junction line reference point as a guide. Using the junction lines reference point will put you sufficiently back in the bay without fear of hitting the kerb or wall at the rear. If there is no line joining the individual bay lines, imagine where it would be and use that.

LEarning Bay parking tips

Along with using reference points for the bay parking manoeuvre, here are some key tips to help you succeed:

Keep the car extremely slow
Constantly check reference points
Constantly look all around for approaching vehicles or pedestrians and stop if necessary
If you feel the manoeuvre is going wrong, pull forward and and try again
If the manoeuvre did not finish correctly, ask if you can try again