K53

K53 parallel parking: how to nail it first time

Parallel parking is one of the trickier K53 yard manoeuvres. We break down the method examiners want to see and the common mistakes that cost marks.

Practice parallel parking until the steering points become muscle memory. Examiners forgive a slow manoeuvre; they don't forgive cone contact.

Step-by-step

1. Approach
Drive past the parking bay, stopping with your rear bumper level with the front cone.
2. Observe
Check all mirrors and blind spot. Engage reverse, signal if traffic could be affected.
3. Reverse and steer
Reverse slowly, turning the wheel fully toward the kerb as the front of your car clears the front cone.
4. Straighten and align
Once your car is at 45° to the kerb, straighten the wheel briefly, then turn away from the kerb to bring the front in.
5. Centre in the bay
Move forward or back to centre the car. Final position: parallel to the kerb, within 50 cm of it.