The Manoeuvres!
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At some stage during the Advanced Driving Test the examiner may ask you to carry out all, or some, of the following manoeuvres.
- Reverse Parallel Park (in about 1½ - 2 car lengths)
- Reverse around the corner to the left.
- Reverse around the corner to the right.
- Hill start.
- Turn in the road using forward and reverse gears.
A 'Turn in the Road using Forward and Reverse gears' (or 'Three Point Turn' as it used to be called) and a 'Hill Start', are fairly self-explanatory. The primary rules for doing a TURN IN THE ROAD are that you should not touch the kerb during the manoeuvre - and you should not turn the steering wheel until the road wheels are rolling. This puts unnecessary strain on the steering linkage - and displays a lack of 'Vehicle Sympathy'. You should not roll back on a HILL START.
You MUST always do a shoulder check (a 'life saver' to cyclists / motorcyclists) before you move away from the kerb - and you should try to reverse your steering direction at the end of each part of the manoeuvre.
'Reverse Parallel Park'
One of the methods that can be used to do this manoeuvre is -
- Pull up alongside, but about 2 - 3 feet (60 - 90cm.) away from the vehicle you wish to park behind.
- Check that the road is clear both ways. Wind your window down to improve hearing!
- Adjust your mirrors to help you see (if appropriate!).
- Reverse, slowly, until your rear wheels are level with the other cars bumper - then turn your steering wheel quickly to the left to get your car to an angle of 45°. When your car has reached this angle straighten your steering wheel so that you keep coming back at 45°.
- When your front bumper is level with the bumper of the other car, turn your steering wheel quickly to the right.
With a little finessing you'll soon get it right every time - but if it doesn't work out first time simply try again !