Pulling up on the Right Complications
On most occasions, during the practical driving test, pulling up on the right should go smoothly and without issue. The manoeuvre isn’t without potential complications however and it’s important that you know how to deal with these issues, should they arise.
This guide follows on from the pulling up on the right tutorial, where here we cover potential problems and complications that may occur during the manoeuvre.
Car Pulls up in Front
Green shaded area allows for better observation after reversing
When you pull up on the right, an unlikely though potential complication is that a car pulls up in front of you. This is likely to significantly impair your view of the road ahead which is important for moving off safely.
Part of the manoeuvre requires that you reverse approximately two car lengths. If you have already done this when the car pulls up in front, it’s advisable that you continue to reverse a further two car lengths. Reversing will improve your view of the road ahead as can be seen in the example diagram.
Though reversing will improve your view of the road, the vehicle in front will still obscure your view to some extent. Therefore before pulling away, if possible look through the windows of the vehicle in front for any signs of approaching traffic.
It’s important that after your observational checks (covered in the pulling up on the right tutorial) and signal, that you pull away very slowly, whilst continuously checking in front and to the rear for approaching traffic. Only then once you are certain it is safe, speed up and make progress.
Unable to Move Off Safely
If you find yourself unable to move off safely due to a lack of observation, this could be for example that a vehicle has pulled up in front of you and you’re unable to reverse, the examiner will take control of the situation and provide assistance for moving off safely. This manoeuvre, or an alternative manoeuvre will be carried out again later during the test.
Vehicle Pulls up Behind
Green shaded area allows for better observation once you have moved forward
For a demonstration of your control, observation and accuracy, reversing is a requirement for the pulling up on the right manoeuvre. Once you have pulled up on the right, but have not yet reversed backwards for approximately two car lengths and a car pulls up behind you preventing you from reversing, the manoeuvre will be cancelled.
In this situation, the examiner will instruct you to continue when safe to do so and either the same manoeuvre, or an alternative manoeuvre will be attempted later in the test.
If a vehicle pulls up behind you after you have finished reversing, the manoeuvre will still go ahead as planned. However, the vehicle that has parked behind you will obstruct your view of the road behind you, making it hazardous to move off onto the opposite side of the road.
In this situation, it is advisable to move forward in a straight line, approximately two car lengths. This will allow for a clearer view of the road behind you when looking out the rear windows before moving off. Ensure all appropriate observational mirror and blind spot checks are completed before moving forward.
Failing to Carry Out the Manoeuvre in Time
The examiner will choose a location that is appropriate for pulling up on the right. You will be instructed to pull up on the right when it is ‘safe to do so’, and not a ‘safe place’. Essentially, it is for you to decide (within reason) when and where to conduct the exercise.
However, if you continue driving for too long and it becomes apparent that the manoeuvre can no longer be carried out for whatever reason, the examiner will take control of the situation by verbal command, possibly aborting the exercise in order for it to take place later during the test.
Tutorial and Reference Points
See below for the full pulling up on the right tutorial, plus a guide on ideal reference points that can be used to make the pulling up on the right manoeuvre easier.