questions about practical driving test.

wongataa

[quote=[Deleted User];67396618]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).[/QUOTE]
When I did my test I was told which bay to park in. You should be able to reverse from either direction though.

Strider590

When did they put reverse parking into the driving test?
Do they do any other reversing exercises during the test?

15+ years ago they would either do a parallel park or a reverse around corner on the test.

Car_54

wongataa wrote: »

When I did my test I was told which bay to park in. You should be able to reverse from either direction though.

The DVSA's instructions say: "Examiners should allow the candidate to reverse into any bay of their choice and no attempt should be made by the examiner to determine or dictate which bay is used or how the candidate carries out the exercise."

ktj

Hi again,


Thanks to those who have tried to help.


To people who have expressed concerns, our situation is that we live in a remote area - no bus service etc. therefore a car is essential.


Cost of car, insurance etc. is one of reasons that we can't afford driving lessons. I can understand why people recommend at least a few lesson, but I have successfully already taught 2 other relatives to drive, but they took their test at a centre that didn't have bay parking. The centre that my son is using does, so I researched bay parking and was intrigued that it was all about reversing into a bay on the left - hence my question.


I understand why reversing round a corner and bay parking always involves reversing to the left but I was intrigued as to why all advice on bay parking only ever refers to bays you would reverse into by reversing to the left. Just wondered if anyone knew why this was. If anyone does I'd still be interested to know.


Thanks in advance to anyone who can enlighten me. kje.

Car_54

Strider590 wrote: »

When did they put reverse parking into the driving test?
Do they do any other reversing exercises during the test?

.

The current test includes one of the following:

Reverse around corner
Turn in the road
Reverse park

The reverse park can be either on the road (parallel) or in a car park.

hgotsparkle

I had to reverse park in both directions.

I would agree with some above about getting a couple of professional lessons in beforehand, as they can take your son around on test routes, and where the examiners tend to favour for doing manoeuvres. Also, in my test I had to do a 3 point turn, and when practising, my instructor told me there is a distinct way that you check that the area is clear, and that is what the examiner deems a pass at looking around, I think it was, back passenger window, lower your head to look through the passenger window and then scan all around, its silly because they should be looking to make sure you are checking, not testing that you know the correct pattern on checking your surroundings.

DaveF327

Nobody has quite answered the OP's question, so allow me.

ktj wrote: »

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

You are not asked to use any particular bay; you may choose any convenient bay in the car park on any side you choose.

It's up to you whether you reverse to the left or the right, but if space is limited or all the bays on the left are full, then you will have no option but to choose a bay on the right. The examiner may additionally exclude a certain range of bays, but only if they are marked as disabled or in a "staff only" area.

Quite often, the candidates who have arrived before you will have thrown their car in any old way, across two bays, so you will have to exercise judgement when choosing a bay. Just like in a supermarket, the bay you want may not be big enough if the muppet next to you is overhanging the line.

Driving is a life skill, so you should teach your son to perform any manoeuvre in any direction, under control and with all proper observations. Once candidates are comfortable with all manoeuvres in all direction, the formality of a test will be a breeze.

Finally, do make sure that the car you will use is suitable for test. More precise details are here: https://www.gov.uk/practical-driving-test-for-cars/rules-for-cars-used-for-driving-tests

Hope this helps

izzy65

ktj wrote: »

Hi again,


Thanks to those who have tried to help.


To people who have expressed concerns, our situation is that we live in a remote area - no bus service etc. therefore a car is essential.


Cost of car, insurance etc. is one of reasons that we can't afford driving lessons. I can understand why people recommend at least a few lesson, but I have successfully already taught 2 other relatives to drive, but they took their test at a centre that didn't have bay parking. The centre that my son is using does, so I researched bay parking and was intrigued that it was all about reversing into a bay on the left - hence my question.


I understand why reversing round a corner and bay parking always involves reversing to the left but I was intrigued as to why all advice on bay parking only ever refers to bays you would reverse into by reversing to the left. Just wondered if anyone knew why this was. If anyone does I'd still be interested to know.


Thanks in advance to anyone who can enlighten me. kje.

Hi I think that they only mention left reverse parking because if you were parallel parking on a road you should only park in the direction of travel so you shouldn't cross to the other side for a parking space.

[Deleted User]

When I took my test you were asked to carry out 2 maneuvers but you still had to learn them all as you wouldn't know which ones you would be asked to do.

I got asked to reverse around corner and turn in the road on 1st test, and reserve around corner and parallel park on 2nd test. Never got asked to do bay parking as test centre didn't have it's own private car pack (only shared with other offices in the building). My instructor still teached me how to do it though. Never got asked emergency stop on my tests either.

lister

ktj wrote: »

I understand why reversing round a corner and bay (assumed parallel was meant here?) parking always involves reversing to the left

Got news for you - reverse around a corner isn't always to the left. It could on rare occasions be to the right...

Many ADIs don't teach it, but they should as it can occur. Plus it is a very useful, and in many cases, safer manoeuvre than reverse left.