Pull Up on the Right: How to Do the Driving Test Manoeuvre

To pull up on the right, check your mirrors, signal right if it helps others, cross the road when there's a safe gap in oncoming traffic and stop close and parallel to the right-hand kerb. Then reverse in a straight line for about 2 car lengths with full observation, and finally rejoin the traffic on the left side of the road when it's safe. It's one of the three reversing exercises on the UK practical driving test.

The manoeuvre tests your judgement of oncoming traffic as much as your reversing, so observation is everything.

When you'll do it on the test

GOV.UK lists three reversing exercises, and the examiner chooses one:

1. parallel park at the side of the road
2. park in a bay, driving in and reversing out or reversing in and driving out
3. pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse for around 2 car lengths and rejoin the traffic

The examiner will ask you to pull up on the right when it's safe and convenient.

Pull up on the right: step by step

Step 1: cross to the right-hand side

1. Check your mirrors, centre then right.
2. Signal right if it would benefit other road users.
3. Position just left of the centre of the road, as if turning right.
4. Wait for a safe gap in oncoming traffic. Don't cut across in front of approaching vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians.
5. Steer across and pull up close to the right-hand kerb, roughly parallel. Don't touch or mount it.
6. Stop, apply the parking brake and select neutral (or Park).

Step 2: reverse about 2 car lengths

7. Select reverse and do a full all-round check: both mirrors, both blind spots and the rear window. Look especially for pedestrians on the pavement behind you and cyclists or cars coming towards you.
8. Reverse slowly in a straight line, using clutch or brake control, keeping a steady distance from the kerb. Look mainly through the rear window, with regular checks all around.
9. Stop after about 2 car lengths, then apply the parking brake.

If a vehicle comes towards you on your side and needs to pass, stop and let it. Pulling up on the right means you're facing oncoming traffic on that side of the road.

Step 3: rejoin the traffic

10. Select first gear (or Drive) and prepare to move off.
11. Do a full observation: mirrors, blind spots, and look well ahead and behind for traffic in both directions.
12. Signal left if it would benefit others.
13. Move off when there's a safe gap and steer back across to the left-hand side of the road. You may need to move out at an angle and give enough room to any car parked in front of you.

Why examiners include this manoeuvre

Pulling up on the right reflects real life, such as stopping outside a house on the other side of a quiet street. The examiner wants to see that you:

• judge gaps in oncoming traffic safely
• control the car accurately while reversing
• keep checking for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles
• rejoin traffic safely, which links to "moving off safely", one of DVSA's top three reasons for failing (see common driving test fails)

Is parking on the right allowed in real life?

The Highway Code (rule 239) advises not to park facing against the traffic flow, and rule 248 says you must not park on a road at night facing against the direction of traffic unless you're in a recognised parking space. So while the test manoeuvre is fine, in everyday driving it's usually better to park on the left, especially at night, when your rear reflectors and lights won't face the right way.

Common faults when pulling up on the right

• Crossing in front of oncoming traffic, forcing others to slow down.
• Poor observation before or during reversing.
• Reversing too fast or drifting away from or into the kerb.
• Reversing much further than about 2 car lengths.
• Rejoining traffic without proper checks.

Summary

Pull up on the right only when there's a safe gap, stop close and parallel to the kerb, reverse slowly about 2 car lengths with constant observation, and rejoin the left side of the road carefully. It's a test of judgement and observation as much as control. Practise with your instructor alongside the other test manoeuvres and good mirror and blind spot checks.

Practise with Co-Drive

Co-Drive is an iOS app with step-by-step guides for all three UK test manoeuvres, including pulling up on the right, plus a full mock drive marked the GB way. It isn't affiliated with the DVSA and doesn't replace practice with an instructor. Find out more.