Bay parking is another manoeuvre you may be asked to do on your driving test. Unlike parallel parking, it's done in a car park (usually the test centre car park). You may be asked to reverse into a bay, drive forward into a bay, or reverse out of a bay. Here's how to approach each one.
1Reversing into a bay
This is the most common version. You'll be asked to reverse into a bay and then drive forward out of it.
1. Drive slowly past the bay you're aiming for. Check which bays are clear.
2. Position your car far enough forward so you have room to turn — typically 1–2 car lengths past the chosen bay.
3. Select reverse. Check all mirrors, look over both shoulders.
4. Begin reversing slowly. Turn the steering wheel to line up with the bay.
5. Use your mirrors to check that the lines of the bay appear equally on both sides of the car as you reverse in.
6. Straighten the steering as you complete the reverse. Stop before you hit the bay end.
7. Apply the handbrake. Check all around before driving out.
💡 Tips
- •Use your mirrors constantly throughout — you should be able to see the bay lines on each side.
- •Don't go over the lines at the sides of the bay — keep within them.
- •If you're misaligned, pull forward and correct — this is normal.
2Forward bay parking
You may also be asked to drive forward into a bay and then reverse out.
1. Identify a clear bay and approach slowly.
2. Steer into the bay, aiming to keep the car central between the two white lines.
3. Straighten up and stop within the bay. Apply the handbrake.
4. When asked to leave, select reverse. Check all mirrors and both blind spots carefully — pedestrians may be walking behind you.
5. Reverse out slowly, checking continuously. Once clear, drive away.
When reversing out of a bay, you legally must give way to all passing traffic and pedestrians — even though you have the momentum.
3What your examiner is looking for
Your examiner wants to see:
• Control — slow, smooth movements, not rushed. • Accuracy — finishing within the bay lines (or very close). • Observations — checking mirrors and blind spots throughout. • Correction — if you need to correct, that's fine — just do it confidently.
One or two shunts (corrections) are acceptable. What causes a serious fault is mounting a kerb, driving into another vehicle, or not checking your observations.
💡 Tips
- •Move very slowly — speed is the enemy of accuracy in manoeuvres.
- •Check your door mirrors throughout to monitor both bay lines.