Manoeuvres (skills 17 to 20)
Contents
Introduction
Manoeuvres can feel daunting at first, and that is completely normal. Most learners find these skills take time and practice to develop. With patience and the right support from your instructor, you will get there.
Why these skills matter
Many low-speed incidents happen because drivers stop checking all around or rely too much on mirrors alone.
Practising manoeuvres helps you build patience, awareness, and careful observation – skills that prevent everyday bumps and help you feel more confident.
17. Reversing
Reversing smoothly and safely takes practice, but it is a skill that gets easier the more you do it.
You should be able to reverse:
- around left and right corners, including square and gently curved corners
- on level roads and gradients
- on narrow and wide roads
- into driveways and parking spaces
You should also know how to:
- reverse accurately and smoothly
- steer correctly
- use effective all-round observation
- account for how the car moves when reversing
- use reversing cameras and parking sensors as a helpful aid, while continuing to check all around
Things to think about
Do I always check all around me carefully before and while reversing?
Would I take the same care reversing in a place I know really well?
Would I ever rely on a reversing camera or parking sensor instead of checking my mirrors and surroundings properly?
What could happen if I reversed without checking my surroundings properly?
About these questions
Ask your instructor
Can you watch my observation when reversing and tell me if I am missing anything?
18. Turning the car around
It is often easiest and safest to use a roundabout or reverse into a side street when turning around. If neither is available, you may need to turn in the road.
You should be able to turn the car around:
- on flat roads and roads with a camber
- under full control
- while judging the width of the road accurately
- without mounting either kerb
You should know how to:
- observe carefully all around, especially checking blind spots
- respond safely to other road users
- coordinate hand and foot controls smoothly
- steer correctly while turning as tightly as possible
Things to think about
Do I always find a safe place and check carefully before turning the car around?
Would I still take my time to find a safe spot even if I was in a rush?
Would I ever turn around somewhere less safe because I wanted to save time?
What could happen if I turned around somewhere unsafe or without checking first?
About these questions
Ask your instructor
How can I judge space and choose safer places to turn around?
19. Parking
Parking safely is an essential skill you will use every time you drive.
You should to be able to:
- coordinate hand and foot controls so the car moves smoothly
- keep a reasonable distance from other vehicles
- observe all around while manoeuvring, not just using mirrors
- know where parking is legal, safe, and convenient
- park accurately, signalling when needed
- park without becoming a danger or obstruction to others
Things to think about
Do I always park safely, legally and without causing problems for others?
Would I still take care parking if I was in a hurry?
Would I ever take a risk parking because I wanted to look confident in front of others?
What could happen if I parked in a way that was unsafe or blocked other people?
About these questions
Ask your instructor
Which parking situations should I practise more to feel confident and safe?
20. Emergency stop
Good scanning and reading of the road ahead will reduce the risk of needing to make an emergency stop. But if one is unavoidable, it is important to know how to respond quickly and safely.
You should know how to:
- coordinate the brake and clutch so the car stops under full control
- understand the limitations of anti-lock braking systems (ABS)
- adapt to different road and weather conditions
- control a skid if one occurs
- move away safely again after stopping
Things to think about
Do I always brake firmly and in a controlled way when I need to stop quickly?
Would I stay in control if I needed to stop suddenly on a wet or slippery road?
Would I ever pay less attention on a route I drive every day because I believed nothing unexpected would happen?
What could happen if I braked suddenly without checking behind me?
About these questions
Ask your instructor
Can we practise emergency stops so I feel confident reacting quickly and safely?
Not feeling completely prepared?
Only take your driving test if you’re feeling completely prepared.
You can move your driving test back if you’re not feeling quite ready yet.
It’s free to change your appointment time, as long as you do it at least 10 full working days (Mondays to Saturdays) before your test.