Revering in to Parking bay

Reversing in to a parking bay.

Introduction

December 4th 2017 had big changes to the driving test, the DVSA has taken the  left, right reverse and the turn in the road exercise and replaced it with driving into a baying bay and park on the right hand side of the road and reverse back 2/3 car lengths.  
Your instructor may still cover the left (maybe right) reverse around the corner and the turn in the road but it will be taught but to a lower level. 

Once you have covered reversing in a straight line, (Left/right reverse corners, turn in the road, reverse park with little or no help from your instructor you will be ready to undertake a more difficult manoeuvre, the reverse bay park exercise.
The reverse bay park exercise is needed to be learnt if you want to reverse into a supermarket car park or even into a driveway. 
There is never sufficient space to drive forward into a vacant parking space and therefore your only option is to reverse or to drive into a space.

The reverse park exercise is about using revere gears and controlling the vehicle as your control your vehicle besides/between someone’s property.  All around observations and clutch control is very important in this exercise.

Teaching Strategy

Your instructor will prompt you as much as you need on previous lessons covered i.e. Hazard and L.A.D.A routines, open/closed junctions, roundabouts, traffic lights, A180, however by this stage you should be nearly fully trained and independent.
General drive instruction will be given by your instructor to a level to suit you… full talk through then reducing to either prompt or independent while driving to the reversing location.

Lesson aims

The aim of today’s lesson is to drive to a suitable location working on the hazard and L.A.D.A routines then be briefed on the reverse bay park manoeuvre, then you can practice this manoeuvre using all round observations, clutch control while reversing.

During this lesson you will be assessed on your general drive to and from the training location you will be giving as much support to improve your driving skills.  During this manoeuvre you will get a better understand of the biting point/clutch control while reversing and observing out of the rear window and the proper effectiveness of the use of mirrors.

Objective

Your objective will to be as independent as possible and by the end of your lesson be able to understand the reference points on this reverse exercise, correct observations and by the end of the lesson be able to complete the manoeuvre with little or no help from your instructor.

Lesson brief

It is better to reverse into a parking space as you will find it easier to drive out. Imagine trying to back out of a parking space with your rear window steamed up due to condensation, not forgetting the volume of people with trolleys passing you and also not forgetting children.

PLESE BE AWARE THAT SOME CAR PARKS CAN BE ONE WAY SYSTEMS SO PLEASE LOOK OUT FOR THE SIGNS.
Steering

Throughout this manoeuvre you will need to briskly move the steering wheel with accurate clutch control will guarantee success.
The key to this manoeuvre is quick hands and slow feet (Fast steering and good clutch control). 

Remember to achieve best clutch control is to move your clutch £1 up and down for the biting point position.
Positioning of the vehicle

Pull your vehicle alongside the bay you propose to park in (picture below). 
Try to position your car parallel to the bays and about a car door length from it, no wider than middle of the lane. 
This will allow sufficient room so you will not cut the white lines of the bay you wish to reverse into.
Also ensure your parking bay area is free from debris on the road as you don’t want to get a puncher.
Signal your intentions clearly

While slowing and stopping alongside the bay you intend to reverse into make your intentions known (indicating) and use your brakes to (activate your brake lights) warn other road users, pedestrians in the car park of your intension.
Slow down to a walking to a crawling pace well before you reach the above position with your vehicle.

Starting the manoeuvre (3 0r 9 o’clock depending on the side you are reversing).

Point 1.

Preparing, observing and manoeuvre.


Prepare 

1st gear.


Observations 

6 point check so go from your left shoulder to the right shoulder.


Move 

When no vehicles are driving towards and behind you.


Once you have done P. O. M drive slowly forward until you are two bays past the one you intend to reverse into (the reference for your vehicle will be discussed on the brief)

(See picture below).


Make the Vehicle safe by putting the hand break on and putting your gear stick into neutral.

Point 2

Apply your handbrake and immediately get ready to reverse (reverse lights become a signal to following traffic) and apply the brake lights (by pressing the brake pedal) to warn vehicle if they are behind you.

Preparing, observing and manoeuvre.
Prepare 
Reverse gear.

Observations 
Reverse the 6 point check so go from your right shoulder to the left shoulder, so you’re looking the correct way (over your left shoulder).

Move 
When no vehicles are driving towards and behind you.
Once you have done P. O. M and it is safe to commence the manoeuvre.
Apply full left  lock while slowly moving your vehicle.
An easy way to remember which way to turn the wheel is to turn the wheel the side the bay is.
Point 3

By this point your steering wheel should be on (using the pull push method) full left lock.
Maintaining observations over your left shoulder and looking out of the rear window and occasionally look all around your for pedestrians, cyclists and obviously and impatient drivers. 
When to straighten your wheel (12 o’clock)

Point 4

Judge when you should begin to straighten up your steering as you enter the bay, use your near side off side mirror, front end of your vehicle and the rear window.

How far to reverse into the bay

Reverse into your selected bay until your front seat/your body is roughly half way into the bay (or your wing mirror is on the front bay line in diagrams below).

Once exercise is completed you will probably practice it a few times so P.O.M to go forward.


Prepare 

1st gear.


Observations 

6 point check so go from your left shoulder to the right shoulder.


Move 

When no vehicles are driving towards you.


Then go back to your start position and then repeat the manoeuvre.


All round awareness

Because you may be parking in a car park extra observations are needed to ensure you do not miss anything especially children.
Extra observations are also needed to the front as the front of the car will swing out as you turn and may present a hazard to passing traffic in the car park.

Use the same method when reversing to the left and the right.

This is a universal reversing brief so reversing to the right hand bay is exactly the same.

Use the same technics as above but just reverse the steering and observations. 

Second technique for bay park.

Lesson Brief
Positioning of the vehicle

Pull your vehicle as close and alongside the bay you propose to park in. 
This will allow sufficient room to swing your vehicle out to get the angled required.
Aim your body in the middle of the bay you wish to reverse into.
(The reference for your vehicle will be discussed on the brief)

Beginning the manoeuvre (11/12 o’clock position)

Once you have done P. O. M drive slowly forward putting full lock right on to get an angle until you are at 11 or 12oclock.
Reverse into the designated parking space straightening the wheels to get between the lines (See above/below pictures).

Make the Vehicle safe

Apply the handbrake and immediately get ready to reverse (reverse lights become a signal to following traffic and apply the brake lights by pressing the brake pedal if vehicles appear from behind)  to warn vehicle if they are behind you.
Once you are at this position use P. O. M and checked that it is safe to commence the manoeuvre.
Apply enough steering to guide into the targeted bay

At this point you start to turn your steering wheel (using the pull push method) to the left maintaining observations over your left shoulder looking out of the rear window and occasionally look all around your for pedestrians, cyclists and obviously impatient drivers. 

When to straighten your wheel (12 o’clock)

Judge when you should begin to straighten up your steering as you enter the bay, use your near side and off side mirror and the rear window.

All round awareness

Because you may be parking in a car park observations are needed to ensure you do not miss anything especially children.
Extra observations are also needed to the front as the front of the car will swing out as you turn and may present a hazard to passing traffic in the car park.

Reflect & Review

                                    

So remember your instructor is there to HELP you so on your driving lesson if you have any uncertainties or need anything rewording or recapping to make things any clearer, just ask.


Your training Vehicle is fitted with dual Controls and if necessary could be used throughout your lesson if needed. These are here for your safety so we can step in to keep you safe. 

So don’t worry if the issues arise we will aid & guide you VIRBALLY or PHYSICALLY and we can go over the situation if happens to correct if in the future.


Risk management
Physical control of your vehicle


The aim is for you the student to have full control of this lesson with previous lessons and have full talk through on the new topic and then reducing the support throughout you decision making as best you can.

Your instructor’s job is to analyse any faults or new faults that may accrue in this lesson and put them right.


Talk about any issues if the situations happen on the driving lesson and put issues right.


  •  Fault identification.
  •  Fault analysis.
  •  Remedial action.


Level of instruction on your lesson


  •  Full talk through.
  •  Prompt.
  •  Independent.


End of lesson


  •  Feed back at the end of your lesson.
  •  Student’s responsibility of lesson and improvements.
  •  Plan for the next lesson.



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