Driving test manoeuvres: step-by-step video guide

There are four manoeuvres the DVSA can ask you to perform on your practical driving test, and the examiner will pick one. You may also be asked to carry out a controlled stop, sometimes called the emergency stop. Below is a short animated guide to each one, showing the method, the reference points to look for, and what should appear in your mirrors.

These guides are here to help the method click between lessons. They do not replace practice with a qualified instructor in a real car, on real roads, where every car park and kerb is a little different.

1. Reverse bay parking

Reversing into a parking bay, usually at a test centre car park. The aim is to finish reasonably central within the bay, between the white lines.

1. Position. Sit roughly centred in the road alongside the bays, and select reverse so your reversing light shows your intention.
2. Reference point. When a bay line lines up with the centre of your passenger door, check your right blind spot, then reverse slowly and steer full lock to the left.
3. Mirror check. As the car turns, line A appears in your left mirror, then line B in your right. Use them to judge your angle and distance.
4. Straighten and finish. When both lines look parallel, straighten up and reverse back until central and far enough in. Secure the car and take a final all-round check.

2. Parallel parking

Reversing into a space behind a parked car at the side of the road, finishing parallel and close to the kerb, within about two car lengths.

1. Position. Pull up alongside the parked car, about a door's width out, with your rear bumpers roughly level, then select reverse.
2. Turn point. When your rear bumper is level with the back of the parked car, reverse slowly and steer full lock to the left.
3. Forty-five degrees. Bring the car back to about forty-five degrees, watching your nearside mirror for the kerb. Keep well clear of the parked car.
4. Straighten in. As the kerb appears, steer to the right to bring the front in, then straighten the wheels so you finish parallel and close to the kerb.

3. Forward bay parking

Driving forward into a bay, then reversing out again. You are usually asked to drive in at one end of a car park and reverse out at the other.

1. Position. Approach slowly and keep wide of the bay you want, so you have room to swing the front in.
2. Point of turn. As the far line of your target bay reaches your door mirror, steer full lock and drive slowly forward into the bay.
3. Finish in the bay. Straighten the wheels as the car comes into line, keeping it central between both white lines, then secure the car.
4. Leaving. To leave, select reverse and check all around for traffic and pedestrians, then reverse out slowly and straighten only when it is clear.

4. Pull up on the right

Pulling up on the right-hand side of the road, reversing back about two car lengths, then moving off again. This is the only manoeuvre carried out on the wrong side of the road, so observation is everything.

1. Pull up on the right. Check your mirrors, signal right, and when it is safe, cross over and stop close and parallel to the right-hand kerb.
2. Secure and observe. Secure the car and take a full all-round observation, including over both shoulders, before you move.
3. Reverse two car lengths. Reverse back about two car lengths, staying close to the kerb and looking mainly through your rear window.
4. Move off. When it is clear, signal and move off, returning to the correct, left-hand side of the road as soon as it is safe.

5. The controlled (emergency) stop

Not always asked, but you should be ready for it. The examiner will explain the signal beforehand. The aim is to stop the car promptly and safely, in a straight line, under full control.

1. Driving on. Drive normally with both hands on the wheel, looking well ahead and ready to react.
2. React. On the signal, react promptly. In a real emergency there is no time to check your mirror first.
3. Brake firmly. Brake firmly and progressively, keeping the car straight, and press the clutch down just before you stop so the engine does not stall.
4. Secure and move off. Once stopped, secure the car. To move off again, take a full all-round observation, as traffic may have caught up behind you.

Practising for real

Watching the method is the easy part. Getting it smooth and consistent takes practice with someone who can see what you cannot, and who can read each new car park and road for you. If you would like lessons with a local, DVSA-qualified instructor in East London, you can book lessons here.