Pulling up on the right and reversing is one of the key manoeuvres you may be asked to perform during the UK driving test.
Introduced by the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) as part of the independent driving section, it assesses your ability to park safely against the flow of traffic and then rejoin the road smoothly.
While the Highway Code generally advises parking on the left, understanding how to execute this manoeuvre correctly is essential for real-world driving situations where pulling up on the left isn't practical.
Pulling up on the right and reversing is a key UK driving test manoeuvre, assessing control, safety, and observation. Though the Highway Code favours left-side parking, this skill is vital when that’s impractical. Master it with proper instruction to meet DVSA standards.
With the right guidance from a driving instructor, you can master this skill with confidence, ensuring you meet the test requirements while demonstrating good control and awareness.
In this blog, we’ll break down the steps for pulling up on the right and reversing, explaining how to perform it safely and effectively in line with DVSA expectations!
What the examiner looks for
When performing the pull-up on the right and reverse manoeuvre during the UK driving test, the examiner will assess your ability to complete it safely, legally, and with good control. The DVSA marking criteria focusses on key aspects such as observation, accuracy, and vehicle control, ensuring that you demonstrate safe driving habits throughout.
Observation is critical, and the examiner will expect you to check your mirrors before signalling and steering across the road. Blind spot awareness is particularly important when pulling up on the right and when moving off again. Failing to check for approaching traffic, cyclists, or pedestrians could result in a test fault. Throughout the manoeuvre, effective hazard perception is essential, ensuring you remain aware of potential risks such as oncoming vehicles or pedestrians crossing near your car.
Control and accuracy also play a significant role. Your road positioning should be appropriate, with your car stopping a safe and practical distance from the kerb – too far away could suggest a lack of precision, while too close risks hitting the kerb. When reversing, smooth control is essential. The examiner will watch for correct use of the clutch, brake, and steering to ensure your movements are slow and controlled. Maintaining good reversing control and not veering into the road is key.
Applying the handbrake when necessary, particularly before changing gears or when stationary, will demonstrate sound vehicle control. Gear selection should also be appropriate; for example, ensuring you are in reverse before starting to move back and selecting first gear correctly when setting off again.
Test faults may be given for errors such as poor observation, lack of control, or unsafe road positioning. Serious or dangerous faults, such as failing to notice an approaching vehicle when pulling across the road or rolling into traffic when moving off, could result in a test failure. However, if you maintain full control, check your surroundings carefully, and follow your driving instructor’s guidance, you can complete this manoeuvre confidently and meet the examiner’s expectations.
How to pull up on the right and reverse
Pulling up on the right and reversing is important for when parking on the left isn’t possible. It tests observation, control, and road positioning, ensuring you can safely manoeuvre against traffic while rejoining the road without creating hazards.
Finding a safe spot
When pulling up on the right, it’s essential to choose a safe stopping location where you won’t create hazards for yourself or other road users. Always check for oncoming traffic before crossing the road, ensuring there’s a safe gap. Avoid stopping too close to parked vehicles, as this can make reversing difficult or obstruct traffic.
Never park near junctions, bends, or pedestrian crossings, as these reduce visibility and increase risks for both you and other drivers. Be mindful of driveways, ensuring you don’t block access for residents. Look out for road obstructions, such as bus stops, cycle lanes, or loading bays, as stopping in these areas may be unsafe or prohibited.
Check for yellow lines and road markings that may restrict parking. Maintain a safe distance from the kerb enough to avoid obstructing the road but not so close that you risk hitting it while reversing.
Finally, consider visibility concerns. Avoid stopping in poorly lit or high-traffic areas where it may be difficult to see approaching vehicles. Choosing a suitable location ensures you can perform the manoeuvre safely, maintain good control, and rejoin the road smoothly without creating unnecessary risks.
Using the MSM routine and moving over
The MSM (mirrors, signal and manoeuvre) routine is essential when pulling up on the right, and it all starts with good observation. First, check your interior mirror to see what’s behind you, then your right-hand mirror to spot any vehicles approaching from behind. Before moving, don’t forget a blind spot check over your right shoulder to catch anything your mirrors might miss.
Once you’re sure it’s safe, put on your right indicator to let other road users know what you’re about to do. Positioning is important here – you want to steer smoothly towards the centre line, but not too sharply, keeping your approach controlled and predictable. If there’s oncoming traffic, wait for a safe gap rather than trying to rush across.
As you move over, use clutch control to stay steady and apply progressive braking to bring the car to a smooth stop. Make sure you’re parallel to the kerb and not too far out into the road. The key is to make this a smooth transition – no harsh braking or sudden movements. Once parked, apply the handbrake and select neutral, then take a moment to check your surroundings before starting the reversing part of the manoeuvre.
Pulling up and stopping correctly
When you're pulling up to stop, first look for a safe and legal spot, making sure it's not too close to driveways, junctions, or bends. Before slowing down, check your mirrors and signal if needed. When you approach the kerb, aim for a shallow angle – this way, you won't have to steer too sharply, which could cause the front wheels to hit the kerb. Try to keep the car nice and straight, so you're positioned parallel to the kerb, ideally around 20-30 cm away.
As you slow down, apply the brake gently, and be mindful of the road camber, as it can make your car pull slightly to one side. Just before you stop, press the clutch to avoid stalling, then bring the car to a full stop. Once you’re fully stopped, put the handbrake on and shift into neutral.
Remember, always try to stop smoothly rather than slamming on the brakes – it gives you better control. And keep an eye on the road ahead when you’re ready to go again to make sure there’s no traffic or hazards.
Rejoining traffic
When rejoining traffic, start by checking your mirrors, following the mirror sequence (left mirror, right mirror, then centre mirror). Always be aware of your blind spots by checking over your shoulder before moving. Signal to indicate your intention to rejoin the road, ensuring other road users are aware of your move.
Before pulling out, check for traffic in both directions, ensuring there’s enough space and time to merge safely. Once clear, accelerate smoothly to match the speed of the traffic flow. Position your car correctly in the lane you’re merging into, making sure you're not cutting across or drifting out of your lane.
Adjust your speed as necessary, making sure you’re not too slow or too fast. When merging, do so gently and safely, avoiding any sharp moves. Be mindful of pedestrians and cyclists, especially at junctions or bus stops, as they may be harder to spot but are equally important to keep an eye on when rejoining traffic.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Mistakes on the road can lead to driving test faults and can be dangerous if not corrected. Practice, awareness, and confidence are key to avoiding them! Here are our top tips below:
- Hesitation – when stopping or reversing, especially on the right side of the road, drivers may hesitate, unsure of the right moment or position. This can confuse other drivers and affect the flow of traffic.
- Incorrect road positioning – pulling up too close to the kerb or drifting too far into the road is a common mistake. Not keeping enough space for other vehicles or pedestrians can be hazardous.
- Failing to check mirrors and blind spots – when reversing, it's easy to forget to check mirrors and blind spots properly. This increases the risk of colliding with other vehicles or pedestrians, especially in busy areas.
- Oversteering – when reversing, oversteering can cause you to turn the wheel too sharply, making it harder to control the vehicle and potentially hitting the kerb or another vehicle.
- Reversing too quickly – driving in reverse too quickly can make it difficult to judge distances or hazards, leading to a higher risk of accidents. It’s important to reverse slowly and steadily.
- Blocking traffic flow – when pulling up on the right or reversing, taking too long can block the flow of traffic behind you, causing frustration or even creating a dangerous situation for other road users.
- Failing to signal – not using indicators when pulling up on the right-hand side or reversing can confuse other drivers, who may not anticipate your actions.
- Lack of confidence – a lack of confidence, especially when reversing or pulling up on the right in a busy area, can lead to hesitation or misjudging the space, increasing the risk of mistakes.
- Hesitation at busy roads – when pulling up on the right near busy roads, hesitation or second-guessing can cause you to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, disrupting traffic flow or causing you to block other vehicles.
- Misjudging kerb distance – not getting the correct distance from the kerb when stopping or reversing is another mistake. Either being too close or too far can cause unnecessary risks or take up too much road space.
- Failing to observe surroundings – not being aware of pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles when pulling up or reversing can lead to accidents. It's important to check all around before moving.
Frequently asked questions
Is it illegal to pull up on the right?
In the UK, it’s not illegal to pull up on the right side of the road, but there are specific circumstances where it’s not recommended. According to the Highway Code, parking or stopping on the right should only be done if it is safe, legal, and if no other option is available. It’s important to consider the DVSA regulations, road safety guidelines, and the potential impact on traffic flow.
When stopping or pulling up, you must avoid obstructing the road or causing inconvenience to other road users. In a driving test, stopping on the right might be a fault if it’s not done safely or appropriately. Always follow test regulations and pay attention to any examiner instructions. Enforcement of stopping rules is strict, and failure to comply with legal parking rules can result in penalties.
What if I can’t find a suitable space to pull up?
If you can't find a suitable space to pull up, it’s best to abort the manoeuvre and continue looking for another location. When you're on a driving test, your examiner may instruct you to adjust your road positioning, and if conditions are unsafe or the space isn't ideal, they’ll understand if you don’t stop.
Always prioritise safety and try to make a safe decision, even if it means driving on for a while before finding a better spot. In heavy traffic situations, it’s essential to stay calm, adjust your speed, and wait for an appropriate opportunity to stop. Your judgement here is key, and examiners will assess your ability to make decisions under pressure.
What if a car parks behind me before I reverse?
If a car parks behind you while you're preparing to reverse, the best option is to wait for the obstruction to clear. Reversing when blocked by another vehicle can be dangerous and could lead to a driving test fault. If the space is truly obstructed, consider moving forward before reversing.
If you’re on a test, the examiner will give you instructions to adjust your position or suggest an alternative manoeuvre if needed. Always ensure that you can reverse safely and that there are no hazards in your way before proceeding.
How far is two car lengths?
Two car lengths is roughly estimated as a distance of around 10-12 metres, based on a standard vehicle length of about four-five metres. This distance is used to estimate the space needed when reversing, parking, or judging clearances. In a practical driving situation or test, you can use reference points such as road markings or other vehicles to judge this distance.
Your examiner may ask you to estimate this distance during the test to assess your spatial awareness and parking abilities. It's more of an approximation, so it's important to be aware of the surrounding environment and adjust accordingly.
Be confident and safe
Preparing for the practical driving test involves building confidence in various manoeuvres, including pulling up correctly, reversing, and managing parking in real-world situations.
Examiners are looking for your ability to perform these tasks safely and confidently, as well as your understanding of road safety. It's crucial to practise these manoeuvres until you feel comfortable and in control. Reversing, in particular, requires excellent judgement and control, especially when dealing with obstructions or tight spaces.
Taking regular lessons with a qualified instructor can help you refine these skills and ensure you're following the correct techniques. Understanding the importance of mirror checks, checking your blind spots, and positioning your car correctly is key to reducing the likelihood of test faults.
The more practice you get, the more confident you'll feel when it's time for the test. Remember, it's also important to remain calm and focused to reduce test anxiety and make the best decisions on the road.
Ultimately, the more you practice these skills, the more prepared you'll be to pass your practical test and apply your parking and reversing abilities safely in everyday driving.
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