On your practical test the examiner asks you to do one reversing manoeuvre from a set of three. Here is exactly what each one is, how to do it smoothly, and the faults that cost people a pass.
1 of 3manoeuvres on the day
MSMmirror–signal–manoeuvre
Slowcar, quick eyes
360°all-round observation
What the manoeuvres are
Since the test changed, there are three possible manoeuvres and you will be asked to do just one: parallel park at the side of the road, park in a bay (drive in and reverse out, or reverse in and drive out), or pull up on the right, reverse about two car lengths, then rejoin traffic. Bay parking only comes up at test centres that have a car park. Whichever you get, the examiner is watching two things: control (slow, smooth, accurate) and observation (all-round looks, acting on what you see).
You only do one on the day, but you should be confident with all three going in — you won’t know which until the examiner asks.
Roadside
Parallel park
Pull up alongside the car in front, then reverse into the space behind it, finishing reasonably close to and parallel with the kerb — roughly within two car lengths. Keep the car slow with clutch control and look all around as you go.
Tip: reference points on your own car (mirrors, rear window) make it repeatable every time.
Car park
Bay parking
Either drive forward into a bay and reverse out, or reverse in and drive out — the examiner tells you which. Aim to finish inside the lines. Only comes up at centres with a car park.
Tip: reversing in and driving out is usually easier to line up and safer to leave.
On the right
Pull up on the right
Signal, pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse back about two car lengths, then check all around and rejoin the traffic when it’s safe. The tricky part is the observation before you move off.
Tip: a full blind-spot check over your right shoulder before rejoining is what examiners look for.
Note
Reversing round a corner is gone
The old reverse around a corner and turn in the road (three-point turn) are no longer tested manoeuvres — though they’re still worth learning for real-world driving.
It’s really about control and observation
Every manoeuvre is scored on the same two things. Control: keep the car slow and smooth with the clutch at biting point, steer briskly while the car creeps, and don’t rush. Observation: look all around before and during the move — not just mirrors, but proper over-the-shoulder blind-spot checks — and actually respond if a car, cyclist or pedestrian appears. A perfectly parked car with no observation still picks up faults.
Common manoeuvre faults to avoid
No observation — parking neatly but forgetting the all-round checks.
Going too fast — not enough clutch control, so the car lurches and you lose accuracy.
Hitting or mounting the kerb — usually a sign the car was moving too quickly to correct.
Finishing badly positioned — too far from the kerb, over the bay lines, or at an angle.
Not reacting — carrying on when a pedestrian or car needs you to pause. If in doubt, stop, look, and only continue when it’s clear.
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How many manoeuvres do you do on the driving test?
Just one. The examiner picks one of the three possible manoeuvres — parallel park, bay park, or pull up on the right — so you should be confident with all of them beforehand.
What are the three driving test manoeuvres?
Parallel parking at the roadside, parking in a bay (driving in and reversing out, or reversing in and driving out), and pulling up on the right then reversing about two car lengths and rejoining traffic.
Is reversing around a corner still on the test?
No. Reversing around a corner and the turn in the road were removed and are no longer tested, though they’re still useful skills for everyday driving.
Can you touch the kerb during a manoeuvre?
Lightly brushing the kerb may be marked as a minor fault, but mounting the kerb or hitting it hard is likely to be a serious fault. Keep the car slow so you can correct in time.
Based on the current DVSA practical driving test manoeuvres and the Highway Code. Always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK. This guide is independent and not affiliated with the DVSA.
