Can you fail your driving test on parallel parking?

By Ané Theron

The short answer is yes, you certainly can or ail if you demonstrate that you can’t parallel park properly. This manoeuvre must be performed in no more than three movements, and you are not allowed bump any obstacles, including the kerb. You have two attempts. You will need to perform parallel parking to the left and to the right.

Regarding the driving test points sheet for cars & trucks…

Parallel parking aside, there are a few other driving boo-boos that will cause you to fail your driving test immediately, and they are as follows, as per the http://www.k53-test.co.za website:

Do this, and it’s an instant fail...

• Use a vehicle that is unroadworthy or not licenced;
• Have a mechanical failure of the vehicle;
• Violate any traffic law, road sign, signal or road marking;
• Make an uncontrolled or dangerous action;
• Be involved in a collision where it’s your fault / could have been avoided by you;
• Bump any obstacles, mount a kerb or touch a boundary line (which can happen during parallel parking);
• Fail to complete a manoeuvre within the allotted number of attempts (you need to be able to parallel park in 3 movements and you have only 2 attempts) ;
• Allow the vehicle to roll forward or backwards;
• Fail to demonstrate that you can give a hand signal correctly when instructed to do so;
• Exceed the 20-minute time limit for the yard test;
• Exceed 50 penalty points for the yard test; or
• Exceed 8 penalty points per minute during the road test.

Click here to see the examiner’s score sheet to get a better idea of how you will be marked, so you’ll know what to pay special attention to.

*For expert advice on how to nail parallel parking, please click here*.