This exercise has the greatest "freedom" of specification of all the exercises. You can be asked to do it at the very start of the test, during the test or at the very end. You may be asked to reverse park behind a single vehicle, between two vehicles or into a parking bay in a car park. In the latter case, if at the very start of the test, you will be asked to pull forward either to the left or right, then to reverse into any convenient bay of your choice. Why not choose to turn to the right then reverse into a bay on the driver's side, it is easier that way? When you arrive at the test centre for the test ask your ADI to allow you to park in a bay where this is possible, in case you are asked to do it before leaving the test centre. If at the end of the test, pull up in such a position where it will be possible.
The following is for parking between two vehicles.
You will be asked to pull up on the left, well before the next parked car, then- "This is the reverse parking exercise. Would you drive forward and stop alongside the car ahead. Then reverse in and park reasonably close to and parallel with the kerb. Try to complete the exercise within about two car lengths." Now recommendations for the exact place to stop when "alongside" the car in front vary. You will find that exactly alongside is best - not in front, or with only the front half of your vehicle alongside. The reason for this is explained below. Stop with a good gap between you and the parked vehicle.
Go slowly back, and turn the wheel immediately so as to go towards the nearside kerb. This is the reason for stopping exactly alongside, for it automatically gives you the correct place to start turning the wheel. The examiner knows it is safer too. Because starting to turn from there, it is almost impossible to hit the parked car, something he has to think about. As soon as your front has cleared the parked vehicle, start steering so as to finish roughly where you started from. You are allowed a little to'ing and fro'ing to correct your position, just as you would if you were on your own. Don't ask to do this, just do it. Again so long as you finish reasonably close to the kerb and you are not still nearly in the centre of the road, it will probably be okay. You must finish within two car lengths of the parked car ahead. You may be asked to do this manoeuvre in such a place as to cause you to finish across a driveway. As you will not be leaving the vehicle, this is in order. However be aware that if you mount the kerb you will get no warning as this happens, so be accurate! It is permissible to do this manoeuvre without using the accelerator, using tickover only provided there is no loss of control. This is with a modern car that has an engine management unit (EMU). Without such a unit, it will not be possible.
The very nature of this manoeuvre is likely to inconvenience other traffic, so don't start it until all is clear for a considerable distance ahead and behind, or as far as you can see, if restricted. It is an unwritten law that motorists wait for anyone doing this manoeuvre, whether on "L" plates or not, and this is what they will do if they come up whilst you are doing it. Be prepared though for them to squeeze past as soon as they think they can.
In a car park, Bay Parking, at beginning of test.
As soon as you have both settled in the car, "Would you pull forward either to the left or to the right, so that your wheels are straight, then reverse into a convenient parking bay. Finish within one of the parking bays".
In a car park, Bay Parking, at end of test.
"I should like you to reverse park in the car park. Drive forward into the car park, then reverse into a convenient parking bay. Finish within one of the bays."
The only advice I can give about how to do bay parking is to keep practicing it until you can do it easily. Different instructors use different methods varying from having markers in or on the car or using existing body details to help with positioning, to having no markers at all and getting the position right by driving correctly. Follow whatever your ADI normally does, because he finds it successful and is used to it.
In any of these manoeuvres there is little point in asking to do it again. If it really was bad, it is sufficient to cause failure on its own. If it wasn't, and there is nothing else, then it won't be used anyway. There's always the chance that the second one will be worse, and the examiner can't ignore that!
