Forward Bay Parking

Approach (choose a safe bay & set up)

• Why/when: Forward entry is common in tight car parks or when loading shopping. It’s quick in light traffic, though reversing in is often easier for accuracy.
• On test: You can choose any bay on the left or right if space allows. If possible, choose a bay with clear space either side to give more margin for error.
• Initial checks: As soon as you’re asked to perform the manoeuvre, mirrors on, ease off the gas, and use LADA (Look, Assess, Decide, Act). Watch for pedestrians, trolleys, pillars and moving vehicles. Through-traffic typically has priority — let them pass before turning in.
• Position & speed: If targeting a bay on the right, hold your lane; if there’s space to your left, nudge left to increase turning room. Keep to a slow walking pace for control.

Routine & reference points (full-lock timing)

• Mirror reference: Begin your turn when your door mirror lines up with the first bay line of your chosen space.
• Turn-in: Roll forward no more than about a foot past that line, then steer to full lock while moving slowly.
• Margin for error: If your turn is too tight or could clip a car, stop and shunt (reverse slightly to adjust, then continue). Short, safe shunts are fine.
• Straighten: Don’t straighten immediately. As you come around into the bay, bleed the lock off gradually, usually finishing the straightening just before you stop. Avoid dry steering.

Observations, priorities & reversing aids

• Observations: Keep scanning constantly — especially for pedestrians and vehicles cutting through bays.
• Reversing cameras/sensors: Great as aids to see low obstacles or judge distance, but they must not replace all-round observations. Use them briefly; keep your head moving and check mirrors/windows for hazards.
• Priority: Through-traffic usually has priority in car parks — wait and let them pass. If someone moves toward your chosen bay, pause and reassess rather than forcing it.

1. Mirrors on; ease off the gas to buy time to pick a safe, convenient bay. Use LADA: Look → Assess → Decide → Act.
2. Prefer a bay with clear space either side. If a car is close, slow even further to keep control and observation quality high.
3. If the bay is on the right, hold position; if you can increase space on your left, do so to make the turn easier. Keep speed to a crawl.
4. Line up so your door mirror meets the first bay line of your target space.
5. Roll forward no more than about 1 foot past that line, then steer to full lock while moving slowly.
6. As the front swings in, keep scanning. If your arc is too deep or could clip a car, stop and shunt (reverse slightly to adjust), then continue.
7. As you enter the bay, bleed the lock off gradually. Usually you finish straightening just before you stop. Avoid dry steering.
8. Check you’re straight: Use door mirrors to compare both white lines. If next-door’s car sits at an angle, don’t let it trick your eyes.
9. Reverse out to leave: Do a full 360° check before moving back. Reverse straight until your nose clears neighbouring cars; only then start steering left/right. You do not have priority — stop for vehicles or pedestrians. Keep scanning both shoulders and ahead.

• Don’t force priority: Through-traffic in the car park often has priority — let them pass first.
• No waving people on: It can mislead others; make your intent clear with position and speed instead.
• Short shunts are fine: If your first angle won’t fit, stop, adjust, and try again — safely.
• Aids are aids: Cameras/sensors help with visibility, but eyes and all-round checks are what gets marked.
• Slow car, fast hands: Keep the car crawling while you steer decisively; it’s easier to judge and correct.