Reverse Parking | 45 Degree Method | Driving Test Manoeuvres

This is the only method that I use to Reverse Park, but why don't more Instructors teach this 45° manoeuvre for the UK Driving Test?
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[@matt-ko4cc]

I thought I was hopeless at reverse parking because I was taught the complicated way that never seemed to work for me. The moment I passed and was driving independently, I just did what felt natural but wasn't taught (45 degrees) and now I'm brilliant at reverse parking using the side mirrors

[@piciu256]

Same. Nobody taught me that, just felt natural.

[@WatchesOnWood]

to get to the next level: No mirrors 😂

[@Asto508]

@@WatchesOnWood That's not so hard. Mirrors are really just for fine-tuning actually.

[@WatchesOnWood]

@@Asto508 Next Next Level: eyes shut

[@michaelthomas3646]

​@@WatchesOnWood that is easy buy a car that will park itself, but from what I seen with my car, it makes you wonder who programmed it, the 2 times I tested out of 3 the car failed to enstill confidence in the qualified driver from thinking this thing is going seriously wrong enough to abort the programming, mostly because of a slight bend in the road. the one time I did test without a bend in the road it worked perfectly, so still got to drive with your instinct, and experience. as for shutting your eyes challenge, the insurance company would be demanding extra premium from accidents.

[@_______-]

This makes so much more sense then the three line method. I taught my kids to do it this way, but I was mean and covered up the reversing camera. Like you say, it reserves the space. One other advantage is that it controls the oncoming traffic as well, so you effectively block the lane until you have completed the manoeuvre.

[@PeterWildman-gm2gq]

When I was taking P. S.V. the instructor did a demonstration of every manouver. explaining every move as he did it. Then We took it in turn to do it. This is something that never happened with my car test. A driving demonstration is far better than an explanation. nice vid.

[@KahnuevsKrake]

The 45 degree has always been my preferred method. For example in a busy supermarket car park, by using that method, you've established that it's your parking spot. Whereas with the 3 line method, if you're being tailgated and have to reverse, you're stuffed basically.

[@deyfuck]

I was taught 3-line and was a bit ropey with it for a few weeks after I passed my test, til I looked across the car park and saw another driver do this 45 degree method and thought "wait, wtf was that?" Tried it, nailed it first go, never did 3-line again. No idea why everyone doesn't learn this way, it's so much easier!

[@AfrinaLilmissfreens]

I have been driving for 6 months and parking has been a learning curve! I tried this today and got it first time!! Thank you so much for your clear explanation!!!

[@lindaajide2115]

Great video! After passing my test I found it so difficult to use the 3 line method and it stopped me from driving for months. In the end I ended up booking another lesson with a different instructor to teach me how to park properly, he used this method in the video. My confidence in driving has increased so much since.

[@LtNoLegs]

The weird thing is, I don't think most people are ever taught this directly, they just sort of pick it up because it really is the most efficient way to reverse bay park!

[@Evolixe]

No disrespect to you or any other instructor Ashley, but I always found these general "stop about here, full lock there" kind of instructions kind of go past the point of what you're actually doing. Like teaching a little trick, instead of actually explaining whats going on. Which is aligning your rear wheels with the parking spot you are trying to get into. So long as your rear wheels are slightly past the parking space on the side closest to the parking spot all you have to do is align yourself to come out in the center of the space. I honestly really wish my instructor had just told me that instead of all the trickery. Anyways we're not all the same and maybe it works better for other people 🤷

[@1obsessionafteranother794]

I was a learner in ‘01 and don’t recall being taught how to park into car park spaces. After I passed, I guess I learnt by a combination of doing it when driving independently, through advice from my sibling-passenger, and by observation as a passenger. Turns out “45 degree method” is what I’ve been doing the whole time (and then I had to look up what “3 line method” is 😂)

[@Bin-The-L-Plates]

Driving examines have, in the past and incorrectly according to the DT1, stopped learners from using this method. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why it’s not often taught ? So many ADI teach manoeuvres in a set way because they’ve been taught to teach a routine as that’s how it’s always been done. I teach both methods to reverse in to a space, and let the pupil decide which one they prefer, and choose the best one suitable for the situation they’re faced with. Being flexible is the key to being independent when they’ve passed their test.

[@twoshottino1991]

Thanks for the video, out of all the manoeuvres this is the video I’ve been waiting for as this is the one I find students get confused with the most so having a video reference is great. I’ll be sharing with those that get confused

[@DomGaskell]

In my last job, the rule on the car park was “drive out forward”. Meant you had to reverse in and very quickly work on your reverse parking game. Having been taught the 3-line method by my instructor, I found this method worked better. The advantage here is, with experience, you can spot the space and hit the 45 degree point in one smooth manoeuvre. Mind you, recently I’ve still ended up having to shuffle to the middle of the space more often than not 😆 General Advantage to reversing in is it makes leaving your space that much neater

[@ddturnerphd]

Nice, clear guidance on how to perform a driving manoeuvre that you'll be using regularly. Thanks, Ashley.

[@PrinceBarin77]

Reverse parking ftw. A hallmark of competence and driving pride for me. Great vid.

[@soubirajbundhoo2734]

Excellent job Ashley keep it up we badly need these types of videos

[@RicardoPetrazzi]

Good to see you cover this method. I was taught to do it this way from the outset of my driving lessons back in 1993.! A tip for centering is also to use the lines of the bay in front of you as an additional guide to see how equal you are. Good job Ashley.

[@kenbrown2808]

any driver should become familiar with how the line on the driver's side looks in the mirror when properly centered. if they do that, then they can use that mirror to position, and the others to watch for hazards.

[@malgf4145]

I always try to reverse into this type of bay, although it does sometimes cause a problem in supermarkets if someone parks really close to my boot. The reason I think it is easier and better is that reversing in gives you plenty of room to swing the front of the car around to line up for the bay. Whereas driving in means that when leaving you cannot start to swing the front end around until your car has cleared the cars either side of you. Easier and safer to drive out !!

[@jaccurtis5789]

Was never actually taught this but is exactly how I reverse park. Just seems the easiest and most natural way to do it

[@richardsanderson9883]

I teach this method for exactly the same reasons, and also because you are using your cars relative positioning to the bay, it doesn't matter what car you drive. This teaches you how to park a car, not the instructors car

[@pdken3081]

Great vid as always Ashley. Idea for a future video; parking in a multi storey with its limited space and other challenges. I realise filming could be difficult but it's real life and those who have recently passed the test will come across it sooner or later.

[@dannydee2668]

Thank you for this, I'm in my 50s and was never taught parking in a bay but I manage ok I always reverse in because reversing out has too many chances of not seeing around although the Ashley creeping method would be enough. I still have problems with parallel parking but I brought a very small car so it's not an issue.

[@OutlawJackC]

I always do this One lesson I just mentioned how my dad did it and my instructor said its the 45⁰ method and was happy to let me do that instead Its infinitely easier than ANY other method

[@leeholden8658]

I was taught the three line method and found it difficult to get it spot on, mainly due to the seat in a different place after my instructor was driving and I forgot to move it a little further back. So my points on the car would be slightly off. Since passing my test back in November 2021 I self taught the 45 degree method and find it so much better especially as my car does not have a reversing camera (as it’s 20 years old)

[@MohammedFahimUddin1999]

Hi Ashley, yes this method is much better than the 3 line one. I was taught the 3 line method by my instructor. But since passing my test 5 years ago now, I've been using this method whenever I do bay parking. It's much more efficient and easier

[@TheFlyingBusman]

Good to see a bit of reversing tuition as I see so many who are shockingly bad at it. I have to use this very technique every time I reverse into my driveway. Nicely demonstrated Ashley.

[@michaelthomas3646]

I agree, using this routine for every time I need to park at a 90 degree angle, you can also see better on where the car will end up, plus less chance of hitting the car on the blindside parking bay. not to mention quicker to get into the parking space or driveway due to the fact you aren't having to observe around the car 1/2 as much in a tight space, and you have already done 1/2 the work when pulling forward, and already aware of what is around you traffic wise. now just got to get my mother and brother out of the habbit of steering lock to steering lock while trying to reverse in a straight line!! haha

[@shaun__3]

It's funny, I'm newly passed last month, and despite being taught the 3-line method from my driving instructor, this is inituitively, without thinking, the way I actually reverse park into spaces in real situations. I only started doing it the week I got my car after passing, it's baffling that this isn't the standard taught.

[@MatthewRichardson1]

This isn't the way I was taught to reverse park, but I ended up essentially doing this instead over the years.

[@golffish7599]

My son just passed his test,i taught this from the off,so much easier than parking from parallel,his instructor agreed this was a better method. 👍🏼

[@smilerbob]

I use this method to reverse into my driveway. I am the first drive in the road when coming off a main road so to pull out 45 degrees it gives me three advantages 1) I can see more of the main road and any vehicles or pedestrians approaching and turning into the road. I can abort, straighten the car and go to the 90 degree reverse round a corner type method 2) Vehicles from the main road have a chance of seeing me more and not come round the corner at a rate of knots 3) I am able to complete the manoeuvre quicker thus clearing the road quicker In car parks, it depends on the situation and how many other vehicles are around as to what method (forward / reverse / 45 degree) I use

[@qasimmir7117]

I’ve almost never found any use for the three-line method. I’ve always just forty-fived it. Glad my instructor taught both methods.

[@charliefreck]

Exactly. This is what I teach. It's what you see most people use in the real world. It allows you to adapt to different shapes. When I see others do the 3 line method I just wonder, why why why. Thanks Ashley, I send all my pupils to your channel.

[@MrLense]

Yeah I was taught the 3 line method at first by my first instructor, didn't get on until my second instructor who taught me the 45 degree method, applies to parallel parking too.

[@El_Smeghead]

And now the only way you're going to get your shopping into the boot, is to pull out and block the lane. I always park nose in so the boot is facing out. A similar technique as to how you started the manoeuvre, but would've been pulling into a space on the right instead. This enables you also to pull into the space with your wheels virtually straight, avoiding the possibility of scraping the car next to you with your front bumper.

[@AlioH89]

This is how I was taught and I had it in my test which I passed but I haven't done it since so this is v helpful! Def need to find an empty car park to practice in

[@sunflowergirl6167]

My students prefer this method (45 degree) over the 3 line method and as a result it is now the main style I teach

[@TravisBickle0312]

About to start instructing and nervous as im rubbish with manoeuvres and parking, this is very good.

[@andyclark8991]

Ashley I love your awesome videos love them

[@inscrutablemungus4143]

I do a 90 degree turn when I reverse park. I stop my car so that my driver's side mirror is in the middle of the second bay down from the one I want to park in (this will change depending on the length of the car I'm driving, but you get a feel for it). Put it in reverse, steer full lock left/right depending on the side the bay is in and use the mirrors to center the car.

[@SheargalFarkey]

Right, off to my local car park to practice!

[@djhworld_]

I asked my instructor to teach me the 45 degree method and now I use it all the time since passing, it just makes sense to me. Downside is now I don't really feel comfortable with the 90 degree/3 line method so I just avoid doing it, I think the 45 degree approach covers most parking scenarios, even the tightest ones.

[@kenbrown2808]

This is the method I use, but I do it all in two motions instead of stopping and doing a separate set of observations. - which is to say, my observations begin as soon as I select the bay. with practice, it goes to approach, go to full lock. switch to reverse, and immediately go to opposite lock of course, in practice, you stop 42 times to wait for pedestrians to barge past the direction you are moving towards. those people who drive things whose turning radius is larger than the alley between the bays have to use this method.

[@pddixon]

Good to hear, Ive been using this method for YEARS. The only thing that worries me is: indicating towards the bay I want to park in, but turning my nose away from it. Might confuse other drivers…

[@deyfuck]

Yeah, some drivers take it as an opportunity to overtake, even in tight multistoreys where it should be obvious what you're doing. Gotta keep that head on a swivel before turning the car out.

[@Enivri]

This is exactly how I reverse park. I learnt he three lines method when on my driving lessons and it confused me. But I learnt this method by myself. Didn’t realise it was actually the best method for reverse parking.

[@bombardygamer4248]

Funnily enough, my instructor told me you can't do this, that you need to be at a 90 degree angle to the bay when you start the reverse. Interesting to know you can actually do this.

[@chunkyrabbit1032]

the 45 degree method makes it a lot safer too since you don't have to worry about the back of your car swinging into another if you have a longer car

[@ChrisWrightGuitar]

I've never been a fan of using mirror references day-to-day since it can depend a lot on how they're set up and it's generally slower. I like to think more generally about where the back wheel that I'm pivoting around is. Most cars, certainly hatchbacks, when on full lock will tend to turn around the inside back wheel without it actually moving very far. If you position the car so that the back wheel you're going to pivot around is in line with where it's going to end up when parked you can just full lock to pivot the car into position. I like this way of thinking because it works particularly well for bay parking too. I suspect fewer people prefer to or are even able to think more abstractly about where the back wheel of the car is though, but it is a very reliable technique that works across cars if for some reason you can't rely on the mirror references mentioned in the video. I'd not thought about examiners asking you to apply a certain technique though and the way I suggest is probably not a good general way to teach, but might help some people who prefer to learn "what the car needs to do" rather than "how to do it" which is how my brain tends to work. In a test, I assumed you could just...park the car correctly and that would be fine, but maybe not?

[@Evolixe]

If my own wording was less clear this is pretty much exactly what I meant as well 👍

[@ChrisWrightGuitar]

@@Evolixe just found your comment. Totally agree!

[@brantnuttall]

fascinating. thank you!

[@LabradorLady]

My dad was a HGV driver and taught me mirrors mirrors mirrors! My driving instructor was an ex HGV driver and taught me the same way! He just said make it look like you’re doing everything right but mirrors are your best friend! Mind, that was 1998!!! 😂 I’m so old!!! 😅

[@TestGearJunkie.]

Heh. I took my car test in 1983, I must be ancient 😬

[@LabradorLady]

@@TestGearJunkie. most likely a better driver than todays rabble! 👍🏻

[@TestGearJunkie.]

@@LabradorLady I make no claims to be an expert, but driving a left hooker car in the UK teaches you a lot about observation..!

[@optimusuk]

There's a variation with the distance and entry angle possibilities due to the varying levels of turning circles in different cars.

[@Asto508]

Good video. I've been doing this for years as it is the superior way of reverse parking in almost all cases as long as you got the space in front. It's sometimes also the only way how to fit into parking bays in one go without bumping into neighboring cars. The longer your vehicle and the bigger your turning radius, the better this way of parking becomes. What's also great about it is that you can set up yourself in a way that you can check your proximal distance in the side mirrors before you even start to reverse. I think the main reason this is not taught in driving schools is because it requires some additional planning foresight by the driver, especially if you have to use the oncoming or adjacent traffic lane in order to position yourself. Without experience, this may become too complex for a learner, but maybe you can try that out actually with your learners and see how it goes for them in comparison.

[@5688gamble]

But often your front end swings into oncoming traffic anyway, which makes it more complex the other way, as you have to eep it in mind while reversing, rather than set it up while going forwards. If you can stop before turning into the oncoming lane it shoud be fine! Once I passed I tended to just approach slowly and make the turn without the pause, check I'm clear and then go for it. Became good at reversing because my dad lived on a busy main road and you really did not want to reverse out, so you'd to get used to sitting in the cross-hatching in the middle of the road and know exactly how much steering you needed not to hit either of the walls or you'd be waiting all day on a decent gap!

[@Hotoadle]

It's not really superior, it's just easier with more confidence and experience. That's why drivers migrate to it. It's very practical; defensive driving prevents a space grabber. But most do it with cars not lines. Much easier with cars either side, otherwise just drive straight in.

[@T.K.9]

I was thought this way. And it's the best one specially for small car parks. And tight spaces. Specially that the gate for my driveway is also small. Smaller than a standard bay parking space. But I had to learn it with mirrors even though my instructors car had a reversing camera because the car I bought is an older focus and it does not have any camera. But camera wise, yes it helps alot. Specially reversing camera with the bending lines in the screen. Makes parallel parking a breeze even after just trying it 2 times.

[@jonpowell9011]

As others have said, it is often easier to reverse park and is certainly safer both entering and leaving the bay. Should be made mandatory like it is on many work sites.

[@TestGearJunkie.]

It was where I used to work, best and only method.

[@steviebarrett]

The three line method doesn't work in a busy carpark when you have cars following behind you, as you said you drive so far past the space that people either take the space or carry on behind you so you can't reverse backwards.

[@ohallifax]

Exactly. This method is so much better because you are blocking the road and clearly demonstrating which space you're going into.

[@Banshee1010]

I recently passed my test and my instructor taught me the 90 degree method I've haven't used that method in everyday life but have used 45 degree as it is easier for me

[@andrewgilbertson5356]

Thanks Ashley

[@michaelthomas3646]

I would say since doing my class C driving test back in 2005 about 95% of my reversing into a bay now is the 45 degree angle, which helps a lot more seen as you don't have to keep an eye on how close you are to the cars opposite quite as much waiting for the point that you can put full lock on without hitting them, it makes it clearer to the car behind of your intentions when done all in one go, the car parks that I use don't even have enough space for a super long car like the Citroen Xsara, Xantia, C4 Picasso, and such like. so probably around 1999 for the Xantia. but also when done at a 45 degree angle you aren't taking 1/2 the time to park in the space either if done correctly without needing to stop on the first part. which is handy for when there is a junction close to the parking area as well. and very handy tip for when you got loads of cars parked around the driveway that you want to park in as well, like taught my mother the 45 degree angle, and how to try forcing the angle by pulling left into the gap with the driveways first. so the 45 degree angle has always come in extremely handy to know especially in limited space conditions, and one that should be taught by instructors,

[@daz147]

Thank you for this

[@chillies4156]

Nice video

[@InclusiveDriving]

One of my thoughts as to why instructors often teach the "3 line method" is that they believe that it what is required for the driving test. I'm often met with "is that allowed", or "can I do that?" when I introduce the angled method. The other reason that 3-line is often taught is because it is a safety blanket that generally works and satisfies the needs of a test. Incidentally, my car doesn't have pieces of tape stuck all over the doors and windows :D

[@wrightwoodwork]

As long as the method works and is carried out safely with all checks it's allowed. The only thing that matters is observation and the task is carried out

[@Bin-The-L-Plates]

Examiners have been known, and incorrectly according to the DT1, stopped learners from doing it this way. Maybe that’s why it’s not often seen or taught.

[@stephenw7736]

I had a learner who was stopped from doing 45⁰ this week and had to do 3 line instead

[@InclusiveDriving]

@stephenw7736 please make a complaint to the test centre manager! DT1 document section 1.33 says "no attempt should be made by the examiner [...] or how the candidate carries out the exercise".

[@stephenw7736]

@InclusiveDriving I intend to speak to the manager, the examiner actually referred me to the DT1 too. Couldn't remember the exact wording off the top of my head at the time but so wish I had done

[@AyrDrivingLessons]

Not sure if anyone else has mentioned this but on the Driving Test, in my very extensive experience as an Instructor who accompanies pupils on test as an observer, all Examiners insist on conducting this manoeuvre by starting perpendicular to the parking bay with the front wheels straight. For that reason I’m forced to teach it that way and most of my pupils learn to do it perfectly. However, I do show them that “in the real world”, the 45 degree method is better and that’s what I do myself every time. To make it even easier, I have those small circular, very convex blind spot mirrors affixed to my tuition vehicle’s door mirrors to assist pupils in seeing where the bay line markings are. Even without blind spot mirrors, simply by tilting the door mirrors downwards will enable the driver to see the bay markings better. Every little helps!

[@williamfence566]

I was never given terms for the variety of ways to reverse into a bay . My HGV driving father would say , use the back fixed wheels to pivot the car round by steering the front wheels . Mirror checks and small adjusts keep the manoeuvre flowing.

[@neilmcdonnell2964]

I also prefer this method as I think it telegraphs more to other drivers that you are intending to use the parking bay

[@ChilledGamerUK]

Since passing my test nearly 15 years or so ago, I've always done the 45 degree. Even though I was only ever taught the 3 lines manoeuvre.

[@user-ge6dy1ru6x]

I use that for my articulated truck , wirh our big mirrors a piece of cake. Only danger is those trained " banks men " who don't understand basic optical physics and disappear jn our blind spot ! Sometimes I feel like being a primary school teacher for those ! Remember , most people die behind a trailer- driver when brake fails, staff not understanding blind spots and BMWS DRIVING SO CLOSE that they get crushed between 2 trucks in sudden deceleration in Lane 1 ..

[@rufusgreenleaf2466]

A buddy at work told me about this when i told him the 3 line method was too time consuming and wasn't helping in busy situations. He called this the pizza slice method. Now i'm really fast at reverse parking. You pull just ahead of the bay, turn to 45 degrees then reverse into the bay using your mirrors. It's easy.

[@user-ge6dy1ru6x]

Another easiwr way is of course the one We Truckers use , if lots of space, just pull round and forwards, so that parking bay is stright behund you, and all you have ro do is recerse back in straight line. Thats is also sometimes the only way from across a junction or other confined spaces .when a truck has hazards on and beepers while reversing , stay out of way , beep or wave frantically 😅

[@picklestheswift]

My instructor taught me the 3 line method so I sort of self taught myself this 45° method. But it's good to know both methods, I use both equally.

[@vexmesilly]

wow, i wasnt taught this method just did it automatically after being frustrated at parking. Done it ever since.

[@paulwright9106]

An awful lot of drivers could do with looking at THIS video ! Some park bad by design ( one car , two spaces ) , some cannot park in reverse !! I am fasinated by your out of car camera , almost google map .

[@a.a9584]

Thanks a lot.

[@Hotoadle]

Because it blocks the flow of traffic in both directions, Because it's not easy in a small car park, Because it relies a lot upon higher level control and positioning skills with very few foundation skills to fall back on, Because learners easily get it wrong, Because examiners complain if the car gets too close to parked cars, Because the basic stages are: swing it to the right, stick it in the back...

[@ricequackers]

I honestly just eyeball it and adjust as I go, but this is quite similar to how I do it. A long car means you have to make full use of all the available space in the typical cramped British car park.

[@fine9375]

More people should be reverse parking, it's just highly civilised. The only instance I would accept a non reverse park is a trip to IKEA.

[@colinprice712]

I’d add supermarket weekly shopping to that. With the current size of cars and parking spaces getting the trolley next to the car boot isn’t possible because of the next row of cars, walls etc. exception to that is the mk1 Beetle, MGF, Porsche 911

[@paul756uk2]

It's safer as well as you have pretty much complete all round vision on entry and exit. Exceptions for me are supermarkets where I wouldn't be able to get the shopping in the back! Also, you're effectively rear wheel steering which makes it much easier to position the car. Getting the rear wheels in the right place is infinitely harder especially in tight spaces.

[@TheEulerID]

Really? Never used a supermarket parking bay with no easy rear access to open up your hatch to load the groceries? Or maybe the same in the car park of a DIY store? I always reverse park where it makes sense. Not that I really care one iota what you actually find acceptable or not. I park according to my needs.

[@RichPAFC1987]

I have always used the 45 degree method fot reversing

[@carlpearce2252]

I always teach it as that is the manoeuvre they'll be using most of their driving career, but up here in Inverness the examiners don't like it, its an in-house rule, so if you did it, you would have to do it properly or they would give another manoeuvre.

[@camcab147]

My brain’s not computing all these lines and mirrors instructions. I’ve no idea how I reverse park between two parked cars, I just do it and it works perfectly. Mind you, there has to be two parked cars. If there’s no cars or only one, I struggle but I can do it. It takes more figuring out.

[@Dr3Mc3Ninja]

Yeah, I switched to the 45 degree method after passing my test. I love reverse bay parking. I hate driving into parking bays.

[@marcusmaracus]

Been on the road for 34 years... didn't even know there was another method to reverse park, I always park using 45°

[@RushNZ_]

I taught myself to reverse park easy now

[@ClarkeDesign]

It's so much better to reverse into a bay than to drive into it forwards (other than if you need decent access to your boot). You stop traffic around you whilst you do the reversing part of the manoeuvre, which is a bonus for when you exit the space later on. It's much easier to drive out of the bay forward later on, then to try to reverse out of it, with usually reduced visbility and when other vehicles around you may have moved. Always pays to reverse in.

[@Peter-55]

This is what I have always used for reverse parking.

[@thetiredoldtiger4711]

How about adding in when you don't get it perfect first time and end up too close or too far away from your inside line and how to correct that and how to adjust effectively. This is what I find alot of people struggle with.

[@Nodster]

This method is not to dissimilar to the artic lorry method which is something like the rear tractor wheels? align with the centre of the bay then you full lock one way then full lock the other way and it will then place the trailer at about a 45 degree angle to the bay and let you reverse in clean, or at least it is something to this effect. Never driven a lorry but a lot of lorry manoeuvres can be applied to the game Euro Truck Simulator 2 lol. It stood to reason that something similar would work for a car although I can't say I have been as strict with the angles as Ashley is but given that a number of times people have stolen the space when I have done the 3 line method it was a case of adapting and finding something that works for me.

[@DarenC]

I've no idea what the three line method is (I learnt in the late 80s, maybe it wasn't taught then), but steering away from the bay I want to go into is how I've done it for decades. My wife always says I'm very good at parking (she's a forward parker), but it just seems much easier to me to do it this way and I think that if she did it this way too she'd realise it's not that I'm particularly good at parking :D

[@grahamnutt8958]

Judging by the number of poorly parked vehicles witnessed on a daily basis I think that you ought to have 1 million subscribers by now - or more - as they really do need to watch this upload. Supermarket car parks contain the worst offenders... those who can't position in the centre of the bay. All too often they're virtually on the line (left or right) and that makes it difficult for others who barely have room to enter/exit a vehicle once parked. As for those who take up 2 spots - don't get me started 😮. Stay safe out there.

[@kenbrown2808]

it is good to be a little patient with people who are parked close to one side. many times they were forced to by a previous tenant of the next bay who was also parked close to one side. and yeah, people who take up more spots than they need deserve abuse. - either for being so bad at parking or for being so selfish.

[@_Jem_]

Supermarkets I always park on one side most of the time, That's because I will always park next to where the trolleys are kept, safer that way. at home I get frustrated I'm in the first space as you enter the car park and the guy next to me always parks on the line.

[@wrightwoodwork]

That's pretty much how I do it. As I'm driving a van it is very rare I forward bay park as reversing out is super risky. As I enter drive slowly looking for a space then go to that side indicate checking mirrors then depending on cars following I will let them clear or if far back as to not really effect me swing out to approximately 45 then start reversing in using the mirrors and keep checking for any approaching cars. Depending on tightness and the lock I can put on at the start I may have to pull forward to readjust. I try to get as close to the car on the inside watch it in the side mirror and the blind spot mirror. Once I know its safe I will be checking the outside mirror that I'm not too near the car on the outside while still keeping on eye out the front for anyone going past. Then watch the back wheels to be roughly 30 cm from the line or the sensors to go off

[@TestGearJunkie.]

Thanks Ashley, so how would I go about doing this manoeuvre in a LHD car..? Also, the bay we use at home (a private car park) no longer has visible lines, they've worn away and haven't been repainted. Also, to really complicate things, there are steel posts in the ground at the bay edges (and a lockable/lowerable one in the centre of the bay). Get it wrong and you put a lovely dent in the rear corner 😯

[@TheEulerID]

I often tilt the passenger side door mirror down to see the lines as, not having one of those fancy reversing cameras, you quickly lose sight of the white lines at the front of the bay. Of course that's only practical if you have motorised door mirrors (which I think are essential safety features). Of course put the door mirror back to the proper position after you finish the manoeuvre. Also, there is no shame if you aren't parked quite central and have to correct it slightly. Parking bays are generally narrow in the UK and being parked to one side of the bay makes life difficult for others.

[@TestGearJunkie.]

The parking bays where I live (private car park) have no white lines. Well they did, but they've worn away over the years and have never been repainted. Also the metal posts at the front of the bay edges make life interesting, get it wrong and you put a lovely dent in the offside rear corner 😵‍💫

[@ibs5080]

Happy Canada Day everyone! Double celebration for me as it's also my 30th Anniversary of immigrating to Canada. 🇨🇦🇨🇦 Will watch this video as soon as I can. Currently at a home show at Sandown Park in Surrey. And yes, I reversed into my parking space. Although I'm a regular "reverser", I'm sure I will learn some new things from this video. Safe driving everyone.

[@margaretnicol3423]

... but you keep coming back!!! Seriously though - Happy Canada Day. When you say ''home show'' you won't leave having accidentally bought a Scottish castle, will you? You know you only went in for a kitchen gadget!

[@ibs5080]

@@margaretnicol3423 Haa yes Margaret. The last few years I've been spending most of my time back here in the UK now. Family reasons as I want to be a good son to my mum. But I've kept my place back in Vancouver as a place to return to. That reminds me, I need to renew my Canadian passport. Haven't bought a mansion or castle here at the home show yet. Thankfully I didn't bring my cheque book either. Hope all is well with you.

[@TestGearJunkie.]

@@ibs5080 Cheque book..? What's one of those..?! Seriously, haven't had one in years, my bank doesn't even issue them routinely any more, you have to specifically request one. I doubt many retailers would accept them any more, either.

[@ibs5080]

@@TestGearJunkie. Ah well, I was speaking metaphorically. Having said that, I do have some very old cheque books. No idea if they are still useable.

[@kenbrown2808]

I had to learn to reverse into the bay when I was learning to drive, as it was the only way to be able to park and get back out from the driveway at my parents' house. to add to the challenge, the parking bays were angled 45 degrees towards the exit, so you'd turn 135 degrees to park in them. and I think between my wife and I, we have 8 checkbooks in our custody and care. I guess it's the price you pay for being trustworthy. no scottish castles, though - but the next video I'll be watching this morning is about them.

[@mickyg1953]

I passed my test in March 1971, not a lot of cars had side mirrors, and if they did they were most likely wing mirrors. My first car after passing my test was a 1967 Austin 1800 landcrab with tiny wing mirrors, my Dad's 1970 Rover 2000 TC also had wing mirrors.

[@_Jem_]

Passed in the 90's First car had no power steering and just one wing mirror drivers side, Apparently having a passenger mirror was a extra option. I can't remember how I got on reversing into a space.

[@jibin5416]

Thankyou

[@wumpty93]

The best and only way to bay park. The 3 line method has so many disadvantages it's not really worth using

[@charles77389]

Thanks a lot, I prefer this method too as it is more practical and allows the car behind you know exactly what your intentions are. I can't imagine doing the 90 degree parking on a multi-storey car park with cramped up spaces and cars on both sides of the bay you want to park on. However, I have question on how to indicate especially on a driving test. Should we turn the indicator on in the direction when we move away from the bay and then put the reverse gear on and change the indicator to the other direction and reverse into the bay?

[@daleskidmore1685]

Tried this and had the devil of a job loading the trolley full of shopping in the boot between the cars either side of me in Tesos.

[@GMBasix]

Ashley, I notice you have 2 additional mirrors for the instructor. I understand one; what’s the leftmost mirror set up for?

[@user-ig1xo3om2x]

About this, yesterday my sister was trying to "parallel park"/"reverse park" and attacked the space she wanted nose firth, then abandoned because "it's too tight" (her words). I wasn't driving and didn't offer to park for her, but I'm pretty certain I'd have got in by reversing (same bay, same car and even same driving position. I like to sit shortedr armed and legged than she does).

[@user-fd6mz2pt9v]

When you do the reverse to the right, are you allowed to stop on the right? Or observations before stop on the right side of the road? Thanks

[@ElderlyAnteater]

In a small enough car, you can turn more than 45 degrees and this makes it so much easier to reverse back. sometimes easier than forward parking honestly

[@Bin-The-L-Plates]

Just a quick observation, you mentioned using full lock, but only turned the wheel one revolution. I’m assuming the Golf’s full lock is 1.5 turns to full lock/straight. Although to be honest it’s often a case of the right amount at the right time, and knowing how to work this out. Nice video.