How to Bay Park a Car

A parking bay is any setting that has space for a number of cars to park. The term "bay parking," also called "reverse parking," is common in the UK, where drivers must park in bays in populated areas, like shopping centers or business districts. Because space is limited, drivers must take special care when parking their vehicles. They should back into spaces, because those who pull in headfirst will have limited vision if they try to back out. The key to successfully parking a car in a bay is to keep a constant watch around your vehicle, keeping an eye out for other cars and pedestrians and maintaining a safe distance from cars on either side of you while you maneuver.

• 1

  Start about one car length past the parking bay that you wish to back the car into.

• 2

  Put the car in reverse.

• 3

  Look for any obstructions behind the car and on both sides.

• 4

  Press the gas pedal gently to move the car backward while you turn the steering wheel quickly all the way to the left if you you are parking in a bay on the left or all the way to the right if you are parking in a bay on the right.

• 5

  Look in the side mirror as the car comes to a 45-degree angle to the bay. Continue backing into the spot, adjusting the steering wheel as necessary to fully enter the bay.

• 6

  Straighten the steering wheel as you continue moving back when the white line of the bay looks straight in your side view mirror.

• 7

  Back the car in slowly until your front tires have crossed the white line.

• 8

  Apply the parking brake, and put the car in neutral.