Driving test manoeuvres: the 3 reversing exercises and how they are marked
On a car driving test the examiner asks you to do one of 3 reversing exercises: parallel park at the side of the road, park in a bay, or pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths and rejoin the traffic. That is the full list on GOV.UK, checked 14 October 2026. You do not know which one until the examiner asks, so you need all 3.
| Manoeuvre | Where it happens | What the examiner says you will do |
|---|---|---|
| Parallel park | At the side of the road | Park parallel to the kerb |
| Bay park | A car park, often at the test centre | Drive in and reverse out, or reverse in and drive out (the examiner chooses) |
| Pull up on the right | A straight road | Pull up on the right, reverse around 2 car lengths, rejoin the traffic |
| Emergency stop (possible) | On the road | Stop quickly and under control when signalled; used in 1 in 3 tests |
What changed, and what did not
The manoeuvres were last changed on 4 December 2017. The turn in the road (the "three-point turn") and reversing around a corner stopped being tested, and the 3 exercises above replaced them. DVSA said instructors should still teach the old two, because you will need them as a driver. Nothing about the manoeuvres has changed since: the 2026 changes were to booking rules, covered in our round-up of new driving test rules.
Parallel parking
You pull up alongside a parked car, then reverse into the space behind it, ending close and parallel to the kerb. The skill is slow, steady control: clutch control in a manual, gentle brake in an automatic, while you keep looking all round. Cyclists, pedestrians and cars coming round the parked car are what the examiner is watching for you to spot.
Practise in different streets. A gap behind a van feels different from a gap behind a small hatchback, and kerbs differ.
Bay parking
The examiner tells you whether to drive in and reverse out, or reverse in and drive out. Most test centres have a car park, so this often happens at the start or the end of the test.
Reversing in is the version most learners practise. Driving in forwards and reversing out catches more people, because reversing out of a bay into a car park lane needs observation in every direction at once. Practise both.
Pulling up on the right and reversing
This is the one learners like least. You cross to the right-hand side of the road, stop by the kerb, reverse around 2 car lengths, then pull away and rejoin the traffic on the correct side. Every stage needs a safety decision: crossing the road, stopping facing oncoming traffic, reversing, and moving back across. Outside the test, remember Highway Code rule 248: you must not park on a road at night facing against the traffic flow unless you are in a recognised parking space.
How manoeuvres are marked
Manoeuvres are marked like the rest of the drive. A slip that is not potentially dangerous is a driving fault. Anything potentially dangerous, such as reversing towards a pedestrian you did not look for, is a serious fault and a fail. You can pass with up to 15 driving faults and no serious or dangerous ones.
Control is a common reason for failing. "Not keeping control of the vehicle during reverse parking" is on DVSA's top 10 reasons people fail. Others on that list, like effective observation and correct use of mirrors, apply while you reverse too. Our guide to driving test faults explains how the examiner records each one.
Sensors, cameras and self-parking
GOV.UK lets you take the test in a car with parking sensors and cameras, and use them. Self-parking is banned during the test. Treat the camera as an extra mirror: the examiner still expects you to look round.
Other exercises you might be asked to do
As well as the reversing exercise, GOV.UK says you will pull over and pull away during the test, including a normal stop at the side of the road, pulling out from behind a parked vehicle and a hill start. You might also be asked to do an emergency stop. Every one of these is marked with the same 3 fault types as the rest of the drive.
How to practise
- Ask for each one on every lesson near the end. Your instructor knows the car parks and quiet straight roads near your test centre. Our driving test centre guides show pass rates and recent waiting times by centre.
- Do them in a mock test. A mock driving test adds the pressure of not knowing which one is coming.
- Use private practice. A supervisor over 21 who has held a full licence for 3 years can help you practise in a quiet car park, if you are insured.
- Learn the cockpit drill too. The "show me" question also comes on the move: practise with our show me tell me quiz.
For everything else on test day, see how to pass your driving test first time and what to take with you.
Want extra practice on manoeuvres before your test? Find a driving instructor near you.
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