Unit 42: Trained/Full Licence Holder – Reverse Parking.

Research Material:
The Driving Instructor’s Handbook – Chapter 5
Driving: The Essential Skills
Lesson Presenter
The PST Sheets
PST 6 – Pedestrian crossings and the use of signals/Reverse parking
Examiner’s Part 3 Guidelines

This is another subject which will only be done on part 3 with a phase 2 subject – someone who has been driving for a while, and is either in need of driver development, or is approaching their test. Think through all of the common problems you see with other road users with regards to reverse parking either on the road or into a car park bay, and try to imagine where the problems and solutions lie. Timings will depend on whether this is a new subject to the customer.

Recap: (1-2 minutes)
This is a slightly odd PST for the part 3, as it will only ever be covered on the 2nd phase with a trained driver or full licence holder, but it may well be the first time the person has ever attempted to reverse park. Be aware of this possibility and question for knowledge, skills and attitude as always.

Objective: (30 Seconds)
To be able to reverse park, safely and as independently as possible (specific, measurable and realistic). How do you feel about aiming for that over the next 20 minutes? (agreed & timed).

Main Points: (3-5 Minutes)
If a customer has attempted to reverse park before, it will be worth asking them to talk through how they do it – and use this as a basis (remember to always teach from the known to the unknown).

Practise:
This subject will often require guided instruction at first (though listen for any indication to the contrary). Pitch your instruction carefully, and while you are aiming for this to work first time, you want to avoid over instructing and taking the responsibility away from your customer. Once something is being done correctly, attempt to transfer responsibility to an independent driver.

Summary:
Feedback at this point is hugely important – carefully question your customer for their knowledge and attitude. Be enthusiastic about how it all went, but ensure that you put into place an action plan to deal with any problems with control or observations which you couldn’t fix during the time you had in the lesson. Remember to acknowledge any mistakes, but to keep very positive about both your ability and your customer’s. Give your customer ownership of what they have done by asking them where their weak and strong points are. Fill out their track record.

If possible on phase 2 you should aim to call a halt a couple of minutes before the end in order to summarise.

Discussion Points:
Bay or Parallel
Skill problems – control, or spatial awareness?
Awareness of, and dealing with other road users