The how-to guide for bay parking

What is bay parking?

Bay parking is a manoeuvre used to park your vehicle neatly between two lines in a marked parking bay, commonly found in car parks. 

Both styles of bay parking are essential, and students can be asked to do these manoeuvres during a driving test. There are two methods: reverse bay parking and forward bay parking.

Reverse bay parking

Reverse bay parking involves reversing into a parking bay. Although it may sound more complicated than parking forward, reversing into a parking bay offers better manoeuvrability and a better view when driving away from the space. 

It’s also the preferred method for many experienced drivers and is often considered the safer option when exiting the bay.

Forward bay parking

Forward bay parking means driving forward into the bay. This method may feel more natural for beginners, but it can make it harder to judge your position and more difficult to reverse out safely. 

Drivers may choose to forward bay park over reversing as it is quicker and a preferred option for those who don’t feel confident reversing. It is also useful for carrying items to and from the boot, and you want it to be easily accessible.

Forward parking in a bay is still a necessary skill and one that many drivers use daily, making it a popular parking manoeuvre during driving tests.

How to forward bay park

Now, let’s explore how to forward bay park confidently and safely. As mentioned above, forward bay parking may seem more natural, but it can be harder to position and to exit the space you need to reverse out. 

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how to forward bay park:

• Identify a bay – Choose one with enough space and visibility.
• Position your car – Stay wide, roughly a car’s width from the bay you want to enter, to give yourself enough room to turn. This is easier when parking on the left, as you have full visibility of the bay lines, but parking on the right requires looking over the bonnet.
• Signal – Use MSM [Link] so other road users know your intention. 
• Turn in smoothly – Start steering into the bay once your car’s front end lines up with the first line of the bay. Remember, if left-hand parking, then refer to the left front corner, and right-hand parking, then refer to the right front corner.
• Adjust as needed – Use your mirrors to ensure you’re between the lines and not too close to either side.
• Stop in the right place – Ensure your front wheels are well inside the bay and you’re not overhanging the line.

The key tip is to take it slow and do multiple mirror checks.

Driving test day: What will your examiner look for?

If bay parking is part of your practical test, you’ll be asked to either reverse into a bay and drive out, or drive into a bay and reverse out. This may be done at the test centre or a nearby car park.

Your examiner will be looking for:

• Good observations throughout (especially when reversing). This is why checking mirrors and blind spots consistently is important
• Control of the vehicle, including smooth steering and correct positioning
• Accuracy of parking, ensuring your car ends up inside the bay and between the lines
• Safety checks for pedestrians and not rushing the manoeuvre.

Remember, it’s not about being perfectly straight – it’s about being safe, observant, and ending up fully in the bay.