Bay parking is a common type of parking that requires a certain level of skill and precision. It’s important to know how to do it safely and efficiently, especially if you’re planning on taking your driving test. In this blog post, we’ll be covering some tips and the steps involved in bay parking, so you can confidently park your vehicle in any bay parking situation.
First and foremost, when you’re entering a car park, take your time to choose an empty bay to park in, a bay on the right-hand side is usually favourable as it allows more room for you to manoeuvre. It is important to look for any markings or signs that indicate you are not permitted to park in your selected bay. Once you’ve chosen a bay, make sure there are no other cars on either side and indicate your intention to park there.
The next step is to identify your reference point. This is the point from which you’ll start your manoeuvre and will be different for forward bay parking and reverse bay parking. For forward bay parking, your reference point will usually be when the first line of the parking bay is underneath your right-wing mirror. For reverse bay parking, your reference point will be two car lengths past the bay, with the centre of your passenger door lined up with the white line two along from the desired bay.
Once you’ve identified your reference point, it’s important to perform another check of your mirrors and blind spots. This is something that your examiner will be looking out for during your driving test, so be certain that you do this before you start to turn. Once you have checked to make sure there are no pedestrians or vehicles, you can start to move at a very low speed.
The next step is to execute the manoeuvre. For forward bay parking, you need to put the steering wheel into a full lock. For this example, it will be a full lock to the right, but if you were parking on the left, it would be a full lock to the left. Continue your manoeuvre until the car is facing straight ahead in the bay and between the bay lines. For reverse bay parking, put the steering wheel into a full-left lock to manoeuvre into the bay, while keeping an eye out for other road users and pedestrians. Once your car is in the bay, straighten the steering wheel, and check that the car is between the bay lines.
It’s important to make any necessary adjustments before you put the car in neutral and set the handbrake. You may need to reposition your car to ensure that it’s correctly aligned within the bay lines. You should also check that your car is not obstructing other vehicles or pedestrians and that you have enough room to open your doors without hitting the car next to you.
When it’s time to leave, make sure to check your mirrors and blind spots before reversing out of the parking spot. Keep in mind that if you’ve driven forwards into the parking space, you’ll likely have to reverse out. Select reverse gear and make all-around observations. If the road is clear of cars and pedestrians, begin to move back slowly. Be prepared to stop suddenly in case another road user approaches.
When your car is about a third of the way out of the parking space, steer full lock in the opposite direction that you want to turn. Continue to reverse slowly, making all-around observations as you do. Once you’re out of the space, check your mirrors and your blind spot, put the vehicle back into first gear, and drive away!
In conclusion, bay parking is a skill that takes practice to master. By following these tips and steps, you’ll be able to park your car safely and efficiently in any bay parking situation. Remember to take your time, identify your reference point, perform a final check of your mirrors and blind spots, and make necessary adjustments before putting your car in neutral and setting the handbrake.
It’s also important to remember that bay parking can be different from place to place, so it’s always a good idea to familiarise yourself with the specific parking rules and regulations of the location you’re in. Additionally, it’s important to be aware of any specific reference points that you’re comfortable with, this may vary depending on the parking bay and even the car you drive.
In summary, bay parking is a common type of parking that requires a certain level of skill and precision. It’s important to know how to do it safely and efficiently, by following these tips, you’ll be able to park your car confidently and in a professional manner. Remember practice is key, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time, keep trying, and eventually, you will master the skill of bay parking.
