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DVA report 9.0–9.2

Reverse Parking on the Northern Ireland driving test

Reverse parking is assessed on control, accuracy, observation and consideration for other road users.

What the examiner is assessing

You should control the vehicle smoothly and keep effective all-round observation as the front and rear of the car move through different arcs.

The category does not determine the grade by itself.A mistake can be recorded differently depending on the circumstances, repetition and level of risk. One serious or dangerous fault fails the test, while 16 or more driving faults also results in a fail.

Examples of weaknesses in this area

These examples are for understanding and practice; they are not a promise that a particular mistake will always receive a particular grade.

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Focusing only on parking reference points and missing a cyclist or pedestrian.

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Allowing the front of the car to swing toward another road user without sufficient clearance.

How to improve before the next test

  1. Use reference points only as a guide; keep observation as the priority.
  2. Practise both road-side and bay situations where safe and appropriate.

Turn the report into practice

Related practice guide

Work directly on the driving skill most closely connected to this report area.

Open practice guide →

Build an Improvement Plan

Add this category alongside the other marks from your report.

Create plan →

Mock Practical Test

Track faults during a supervised practice drive.

Start mock →

Other report categories

1.0 Eyesight Test 1.2 Vehicle Safety Questions 2.0 Ancillary Controls 3.0 Precautions 4.0–4.7 Control 5.0–5.2 Move Away 6.0–6.2 Emergency Stop 7.0–7.2 Reverse to the Left or Right 8.0–8.2 Turn in the Road
Reviewed against official Northern Ireland guidanceInformation checked 21 September 2026.
Official source ↗