How to Pull Up on the Right and Reverse on Your Driving Test in 2026
What Is the Pull Up on the Right Manoeuvre?
The pull up on the right manoeuvre was introduced to the UK driving test in December 2017 as part of a major overhaul of the test format. During this exercise, the examiner will ask you to pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse back two car lengths and then rejoin traffic. It is one of three possible reversing manoeuvres you might be asked to perform during your test, alongside forward bay parking, reverse bay parking and pulling up on the left to reverse behind a parked vehicle.
This manoeuvre tests your ability to control the car at slow speed, use effective all-round observations and position the vehicle accurately alongside the kerb on the opposite side of the road. It also tests your awareness of other road users while completing a manoeuvre that requires crossing the carriageway.
When Will the Examiner Ask You to Do This?
The examiner will typically ask you to perform the manoeuvre on a quiet, straight residential road with good visibility in both directions. They will say something like: “I would like you to pull up on the right when it is safe to do so.” You then need to find a suitable place, cross the road safely and stop alongside the right-hand kerb.
The road chosen will usually have light traffic and clear sight lines. You are unlikely to be asked to do this on a busy main road or a road with poor visibility. However, you still need to be vigilant for any vehicles approaching from either direction throughout the manoeuvre.
Step-by-Step Guide to the Manoeuvre
Step 1: Pulling Up on the Right
When the examiner gives the instruction, start by checking your interior mirror and right-door mirror. Signal right to let other road users know your intention. Check over your right shoulder for any vehicles or cyclists before crossing the road. Steer smoothly across to the right-hand side and pull up alongside the kerb, leaving no more than a car door’s width from the kerb. Apply the handbrake and select neutral.
Key points: do not rush the crossing. If there is oncoming traffic, wait until it is completely clear. The examiner is assessing your judgement and observation skills, not your speed.
Step 2: Reversing Two Car Lengths
The examiner will then ask you to reverse back for about two car lengths, keeping reasonably close to the kerb. Before you start reversing, carry out thorough all-round observations. Check your interior mirror, both door mirrors and look over both shoulders. Only begin reversing when it is safe.
As you reverse, keep your speed very slow using clutch control. Look primarily through the rear window, but keep checking your mirrors and glancing forward to watch for approaching vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians. If another road user approaches, stop and wait until they have passed before continuing.
Aim to keep the car straight and close to the kerb. Use your left door mirror to check your distance from the kerb. If you drift away from the kerb, make small steering corrections. Do not overcorrect or you will end up on the pavement.
Step 3: Rejoining Traffic
Once you have reversed the required distance, the examiner will ask you to drive on when you are ready. Before moving off, carry out full observations again: interior mirror, both door mirrors, check over your left shoulder for the blind spot. Signal left, build up speed and cross back to the left-hand side of the road safely.
Make sure the road is clear in both directions before pulling away. Rejoin the normal driving position on the left-hand side of the road smoothly and without rushing.
Practise Real Test Routes on Your Phone
The Exam Routes App gives you access to real driving test routes with turn-by-turn navigation. Practise at your own pace and build confidence before test day.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Poor observations: This is the number one reason learners pick up faults on this manoeuvre. You must check all around the car before and during the reverse. A single missed check could result in a serious fault if another road user is present.
Mounting the kerb: Steering too much while reversing can put a wheel on the pavement. Use gentle steering adjustments and keep checking your left mirror for kerb distance.
Drifting too far from the kerb: If you end up more than a metre from the kerb, the examiner will note your positioning as inaccurate. Aim for about 30 centimetres, similar to a normal parked position.
Reversing too quickly: Use clutch control to keep the speed barely above a walking pace. Rushing the reverse makes it harder to steer accurately and reduces your ability to spot hazards.
Not stopping for other traffic: If a car approaches while you are reversing, you must stop and wait. Continuing to reverse with traffic nearby is a serious fault.
Forgetting to signal: Signal right before crossing to the right side, and signal left before rejoining the left side. Missing a signal is a common minor fault.
Top Tips for Mastering the Manoeuvre
1. Use a reference point. Find a point on your car, such as where the kerb appears in your left door mirror, that tells you when you are the right distance from the kerb. Practise until this reference point becomes automatic.
2. Keep your speed glacially slow. The slower you go, the easier it is to steer accurately and the more time you have to observe. There is no penalty for being slow during a manoeuvre.
3. Exaggerate your observations. Make your mirror checks and shoulder checks obvious so the examiner can see you are doing them. A quick glance might not be noticed, even if you did check.
4. Practise on different roads. Do not just practise on one quiet road. Try the manoeuvre on roads with different kerb heights, gradients and widths so you are comfortable adapting.
5. Stay calm if it goes slightly wrong. If you drift a bit from the kerb or need to adjust your steering, that is absolutely fine. The examiner allows minor corrections. What matters is that you stay safe and in control throughout.
6. Treat the whole manoeuvre as three separate stages. Break it down: cross and park, reverse, rejoin. Completing each stage calmly and with proper observations is the key to a clean pass.
How the Manoeuvre Is Marked
The examiner assesses three main areas during the pull up on the right manoeuvre: control, observations and accuracy. A minor fault might be recorded for slightly inaccurate positioning or a brief lapse in mirror checks. A serious fault would result from poor observations that create a potential danger, mounting the kerb significantly, or failing to respond to other road users during the manoeuvre.
Remember that you are allowed a reasonable number of minor faults across the whole test (up to 15) without failing. A single minor on this manoeuvre is not the end of the world. What you want to avoid is a serious or dangerous fault, which means keeping your observations thorough and your control steady throughout.
How Exam Routes App Can Help
The Exam Routes App lets you practise real driving test routes with turn-by-turn navigation, so you arrive at your test already familiar with every road and junction. While the app focuses on route navigation, using it to build overall confidence on test-day roads means you can devote more mental energy to manoeuvres like the pull up on the right when the examiner asks for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the pull up on the right manoeuvre always included in the test?
No. The examiner chooses one reversing manoeuvre at random. You might get pull up on the right, forward bay park, reverse bay park or pull up on the left to reverse. However, you should be prepared for all four.
How far back do I need to reverse?
Approximately two car lengths, which is about 8 to 10 metres. The examiner is not measuring precisely, so focus on control and observations rather than exact distance.
What if a car comes while I am reversing?
Stop immediately and wait for the vehicle to pass. Once the road is clear again, check all your mirrors and continue reversing. Stopping for other traffic is exactly the right thing to do.
Can I fail just for this manoeuvre?
You can receive a serious fault on any part of the test, including this manoeuvre. The most common reasons are poor observations and mounting the kerb. However, minor positioning errors are usually marked as minors, not serious faults.
Is it legal to reverse on the right side of the road?
Yes, it is legal as long as you do it safely. The Highway Code advises against unnecessary reversing but does not prohibit it. The DVSA included this manoeuvre because pulling up on the right is something drivers do in real life, for example when delivering parcels or visiting a house on the right side of the road.
Ready to Pass? Download Exam Routes Now
The Exam Routes App gives you access to real driving test routes with turn-by-turn navigation. Practise at your own pace and build confidence before test day.
