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Reverse / Parallel park
Reverse parking is not difficult. It is easy, but only if you follow a method. There are several methods, each instructor will teach you a different one, but mine is extremely easy to learn and remember, and it works for everyone. The only reason people find reverse parking difficult is because they don't follow an exact method. They turn the wheel this way and that, driving back and forth almost randomly until it goes in.
Check, back, check again, one left, to 40 degrees and straighten, near to kerb and one right, and straighten. Parked.
Pull up alongside
Check mirrors and signal left if necessary. Stop slightly forward of the target car and about a metre away from it. Quickly select reverse with your handbrake on to tell other road users of your intentions.
Go back
Check all around, and when safe, reverse back in a straight line until your back wheels are just past the end of the target car. You will see the back of the other car halfway along your left rear side window (or the front of the other car if it's facing the other way). Stop and check all around before turning - a car or bike might be about to go around or past you. Wait if any pedestrians are walking on the pavement close to, or next to, your gap.
Swing out to approx 40 degrees
When safe, slowly reverse turning the wheel one full turn left and straighten with one full turn to the right when you get the kerb in the middle of your rear windscreen. You should be at about 40 degrees, or 2 O'clock (12 O'clock being pointed straight). Glance forward if not sure. Check all around for other road users and pedestrians, waiting if necessary for them to pass.
Here's the crucial bit!
Reverse slowly back looking over your left shoulder, remembering to control your speed as the car goes DOWN the camber of the road. Glancing regularly in your left mirror so you can see when the back left wheel is approx 30-40cm from the kerb. You should then see in your left mirror the little triangle of road visible between the car and the pavement starting to disappear. This is crucial to success and you need to be moving very slowly. Pause if necessary to check all around again. Remember, when the triangle is disappearING you need to be turnING.
Now turn in
Turn one full turn to the right quickly while reversing slowly, looking over your left shoulder. You shouldn't need to check your mirror more than once as the car turns on the front wheels and the back won't get much closer to the kerb. When you are practically parallel to the kerb straighten quickly with one full turn to the left. You should now be parked, parallel to the kerb, 20-30cm away from it and within 2 car lengths.
When on your test, don't continue to reverse back in order to clear a driveway unless someone obviously wants to use that driveway RIGHT NOW. The test exercise is to have the car parked within 2 car lengths. If the examiner asks "are you happy with your position" then this is a clue that you need to do a bit of tidying up to complete the exercise to his/her satisfaction. Always answer "no" and correct your position by moving closer to the kerb or straightening up.
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