How do you move off from behind a parked car on your driving test?
Do the same checks as for any move off, then wait until you have a gap behind you and a gap in the oncoming traffic at the same time. Steering round the parked car can take you onto the other side of the road, so traffic coming towards you matters as much as traffic behind.
You know the rule. Can you spot it on the road?
Try it in a free scene
Why a car parked in front makes it harder
You will be asked to pull out from behind a parked vehicle during your test, so you have to move off at an angle. On a narrow road that angle can put you on the other side of the road, which brings a second stream of traffic into your decision. Oncoming drivers do not have to give way because you are moving off.
In DVSA’s example of this mistake, the driver checks the mirrors and the blind spot, then still moves off into the path of an approaching vehicle, which has to slow down a lot. The checks alone were not enough, because the gap was not there.
Two questions to ask before you go
Look both ways and answer both of these:
- Behind: would anything coming up have to slow down or steer round me?
- Ahead: would anything coming towards me meet me while I am out in the road?
Getting round the parked car
If either answer is yes, wait. When both are no, signal if it is necessary, take a final look round and go. Do not wait for an empty street: if nothing behind or ahead would have to slow down or steer for you, you have your gap.
Steer out in good time. Steering late when you are driving past parked vehicles takes you too close to them, and the same can happen here. Aim for at least one metre when passing stationary vehicles, when that is possible. Moving back in too soon after you have passed is a common fault too.
How we mark each mistake
Practice marks only: on a real test, the examiner decides. How faults work.
You moved off into traffic Dangerous fault
Steering out round the parked car put you in the path of another vehicle. Wait until the road is clear behind and ahead before you move off.
You did not check your blind spot Serious fault
Even if nothing is there, you cannot know until you look. Look round to check the blind spot before every move off.
You did not use your mirrors Serious fault
Before moving off you should use all your mirrors to check the road is clear, then look round to check the blind spots.
You waited too long Driving fault
The road had been clear in both directions for several seconds. Take a final look round and go when it is safe.
What the Highway Code says
- Rule 159:
Move off only when it is safe to do so.
MUST and MUST NOT are the law. Should is advice, which can still be used in evidence in court.
Where this fits on the test
Top 10 fail reason: not moving off safely. DVSA driving skills: Moving away and stopping.