Bay parking, whether forward or reverse, is one of the three possible manoeuvres on your driving test. Knowing which car parks examiners use near Forest Hill can help you practise in realistic conditions and feel prepared on test day.
How Bay Parking Works on the Test
The examiner will direct you to a car park and ask you to either drive into a bay and reverse out, or reverse into a bay. You need to park within the white lines, reasonably straight, and demonstrate good all-round observation throughout. You are allowed to adjust your position if needed.
1. Sainsbury's Car Park, Catford
This is one of the most frequently used bay parking locations for Hither Green test routes. The supermarket car park on Catford Road offers a large, well-marked parking area.
What to expect:
- Large bays with clear white line markings
- Flat, smooth tarmac surface
- Other shoppers driving and walking through the car park
- Speed bumps on the approach requiring slow speed
- Multiple rows giving the examiner flexibility on which bay to choose
Our tip: Arrive at the bay slowly and position your car so the second line of the target bay aligns with your door mirror. This gives you the perfect turning point. Watch carefully for pedestrians with trolleys who may appear from between parked cars.
2. Lewisham Retail Park
For Lewisham test centre candidates, the retail park car parks near Lewisham Shopping Centre are commonly used. These include the areas near Halfords and Currys.
What to expect:
- Wider bays than average, giving more room for error
- Busy at weekends but quieter on weekday mornings when most tests occur
- Clear road markings and good lighting
- One-way systems within the car park you must follow
Our tip: Pay attention to the one-way arrows painted on the ground. Examiners will note if you drive against the flow. Also watch for delivery vehicles near the retail units that may block your path.
3. Mountsfield Park Car Park, Catford
A smaller, quieter car park that some examiners use on routes through the Hither Green residential area. Located near Mountsfield Park on Stainton Road.
What to expect:
- Smaller car park with fewer bays
- Quieter environment with less traffic
- Bays may be slightly narrower than supermarket car parks
- Uneven surface in places requiring careful speed control
Our tip: The smaller size means less room to manoeuvre if you need to reposition. Take extra care with your starting position and use your mirrors constantly. The quiet setting is actually an advantage as there are fewer distractions.
4. Ladywell Leisure Centre Car Park
Used occasionally on Lewisham routes heading towards Catford, this car park offers a different challenge with angled bays in some sections.
What to expect:
- Mix of straight and angled parking bays
- Moderate traffic from leisure centre visitors
- Children and families in the area requiring extra vigilance
- Good visibility with open surroundings
Our tip: If you encounter angled bays, the technique is slightly different. You need less steering input and the angle actually makes it easier to see the bay lines. Approach at a sharper angle than you would for perpendicular bays.
Forward Bay Parking vs Reverse Bay Parking
On the test, you may be asked to do either:
Forward Bay Parking
- Drive forward into the bay, then reverse out
- Easier to get into the bay but harder to reverse out safely
- Key challenge: checking all around before reversing into the aisle
- Use the bay lines as guides and aim for the centre of the space
Reverse Bay Parking
- Reverse into the bay, then drive forward out
- Requires more skill to get in but much safer when leaving
- Key challenge: judging the turning point and staying within the lines
- Use your mirrors to check the bay lines on both sides
Common Bay Parking Mistakes
- Going too fast: Crawl at walking pace for maximum control
- Poor observation: Check all mirrors and blind spots throughout
- Wrong starting position: Position too close or too far from the bay row
- Over-steering: Small, smooth steering inputs work better than large corrections
- Forgetting to straighten: Straighten the wheel as you enter the bay to finish centrally
Practise at the Right Locations
At Forest Hill Driving School, we take you to these exact car parks during your lessons so there are no surprises on test day. Our instructors will teach you reliable reference points that work in any bay parking situation. Contact us to book a manoeuvre-focused lesson.