questions about practical driving test.

ktj

Hi, As we can not afford driving lessons, I am teaching my son to drive.


Everything is going well, but I have a couple of questions about bay parking.


All the info. I have found about bay parking describes driving past the bay you intend to park in and then reversing into the bay by reversing to the LEFT backwards into the bay, so this is what we have practised.


My question is are you ever asked to park in a bay that requires you to reverse backwards towards the RIGHT into a bay?


Hope that there is someone out there who has the expertise to help clarify this matter, so thank you in advance for any advice given. kje.

Strider590

It shouldn't matter whether it's left or right, a competent driver should be able to reverse park either way.

Mojisola

ktj wrote: »

As we can not afford driving lessons, I am teaching my son to drive.

It would be worth having a couple of test-preparation lessons with a professional.

He/she will know the test routes and take your son round them and also give little tips that will help towards a first-time pass.

Have you looked objectively at your own driving? Most drivers pick up a few (even if minor) bad habits that would result in a test fail if passed on to a new driver.

Rambosmum

Yes you could, and he should learn it any way. I would also recommend at least one driving lesson before the test, firstly to have him be appraised by a 'professional', ensure he is doing everything to test standard rather than practical driving standard and secondly to get him used to having someone he doesn't know at all in the car giving him instructions and making him c!!p himself.

I was always told as well that examiners are more comfortable in a dual control car for tests and therefore less likely to fail someone, I don't know if it is true.

ACG

Having atleast some lessons with a professional will pay dividends.
I wasnt asked to do bay parking in my test so cant answer for sure but I agree with above, your son should be able to do both.

I had 3 instructors and 2 were useless. A good instructor not just shows you how to do it but teaches you methods on how to do what needs to be done when making maneuvering.

forgotmyname

Yes left and right as you never know what will be available on the day of the test.

Unless you passed your test recently things may have changed. I sat in the car on one of my daughters lessons and there were quite a few differences since i passed my test.

Seems these days they teach you to get moving quicker if you stall. Are you teaching them the correct procedures?

You maybe drilling bad habits into them.

MX5huggy

I think parking into a bay is fairly rare, they would only do it in the test centre car park, my test centre did not have a carpark.

But practice right hand ones should be easier anyway as the corner is closer.

I didn't have lessons just did 12000 miles next to my GF now wife. Had no idea about test routes, just drove the road in front of me, passed first time with the examiner saying it was the best drive she had had in long time.

I did unfashionable things like going down the box when breaking. Just fit the second rearview mirror and know how to top up the brake fluid.

forgotmyname

Another thought, How much was the insurance increase? How many lessons your could you have bought for that?

Strider590

forgotmyname wrote: »

You maybe drilling bad habits into them.

Given how many people seem to make up their own highway code, i'd say that's inevitable.

Remember folks, overtaking is impolite and rude, always form an orderly queue behind the muppet up front.

Sharon87

forgotmyname wrote: »

Another thought, How much was the insurance increase? How many lessons your could you have bought for that?

Insurance for putting a learner on your car isn't that expensive, it's when they pass their test it becomes expensive because then they can drive without an experienced driver in the car!

I agree with most people, have some lessons with a professional instructor. If you can't afford to have a few lessons then how will your son be able to afford a car and insurance?

It will also cost less if he fails his tests lots of times because he didn't get guidance only qualified instructors can give (I'm not saying your driving tuition is bad, but unless you're a qualified driving instructor there will be things you wouldn't have though of to teach or bad habits you may have picked up)

Car_54

I agree with all the above comments about professional tuition.

So far as the bay parking is concerned, this will only happen if your test centre has its own car park. He will be asked to reverse into a bay of his choice, and it doesn't matter how he does it (so long as it's done safely).