Forward Bay Parking Cheat Sheet
Forward Bay Parking Cheat Sheet
The forwards bay parking manoeuvre is the easier of the two bay parks. Students often get worked up over getting into the parking bay, it's the reversing element you want to worry about, plus navigating around a car park. This cheat sheet is designed for non-driving instructors to print out and to use when practising with friends and family.
Enter the car park
When asked to turn into a car park, assume it's going to be chaotic and that you'll need to be stopping. Perhaps even use an emerging route as you come in, ready to stop. Which the examiner will ask of you at some stage once in.
They will ask you to choose a parking bay, park bonnet first, then reverse out paying due regard to other road users, then to leave the car park.
- Know which parking space you're wanting before moving. Try to be away from other vehicles and make it easy for yourself to get in and out.
- POM - Danger could literally be all around you. You'd be amazed at what other cars will do to get past a learner whilst trying to park. Your observation needs to be a 360 degree sweep before moving.
- Position wise, do not start too close to the bays. Try to be at least 1.5 to 2 meters from the tops of them. Starting too close will not give you the space needed to get the car in. Try to find a reference point to help like in this photo.
- Be very slow. Perhaps give a door mirror check before a change in direction towards the bay and try not to touch the first line of the bay you're entering. Being over the second line is fine as the car will come back in on itself, finishing in the bay.
- Try to make the turn sharp, like entering a very narrow road. Quick turn on, quick turn off. A slow, labored turn will see you cut the corner of the bay and possibly not get the back end in. A slow speed here is key.
- The clutch should be down when you have the momentum to reach your parked position. Try to straighten the wheels at the last second. Hand brake up and put the car into neutral once you're done.
Leaving time
Once you're in the parking bay, the examiner will thank you, then ask you to leave. Make sure you know which way the exit is and identify if there is a one way system in place. Arrows on the floor is a good way to figure this out.
- POM before leaving and be slow as you're coming out. Be on the look out for pedestrians as well as motorists.
- If there are empty bays either side of you, turning the wheel quickly here would be good. If there are cars along side you, wait until your door mirrors clear their ends, then turn the wheel to avoid hitting them.
- Come back out of the bay until your facing in the correct direction, then take the turn off at the last second.
- POM again, and an all round observation is needed before moving away safely.
Things to avoid whilst forwards bay parking
- Parking near other cars. Show you're able to plan by not gravitating towards danger.
- Leaving a space with cars parked either side of you massively reduces visibility and therefore increases the risk whilst moving backwards.
- Being too quick in the car park. I think navigating around a busy car park can be harder than the manoeuvre itself. Keep your eyes peeled for movement between the parked cars and reverse lights. Show the examiner you've seen danger if develops. Don't be afraid to stop.
- Read a more in-depth tutorial on the forwards bay parking manoeuvre here.
