Before you start
This exercise combines several decisions: crossing to the right, stopping near the kerb, reversing and rejoining the left. Assess each part separately. Avoid a place where you would obstruct access or create a problem for other road users, and keep checking traffic in both directions rather than treating the whole exercise as one continuous movement.
Get comfortable with the steering, pedals and gears first. For a manual, revisit clutch control; for an automatic, learn how that car moves when you release the brake. In either, a control sequence never replaces checking that the space is safe.
Pull up on the right, step by step
These steps explain one approach, not a fixed set of reference points for every car. Your seating position, the car and the available space change what you see. Stop whenever the area is not safe.
Choose a safe place
Look well ahead for a clear, legal stretch on the right with no junctions, driveways or vulnerable road users affected.
Observation: Interior and right mirror first, then assess oncoming traffic and the right blind spot.
Cross under control
Signal only if it benefits someone, then cross when the road is clear. Approach the right kerb at a shallow angle.
Observation: Keep checking ahead, the right mirror and the area beside the kerb.
Stop parallel
Straighten close to the kerb without touching it, then secure the car.
Observation: Check the final position and remain aware of traffic approaching from both directions.
Reverse two car lengths
Reverse slowly in a straight line for around two car lengths, making small steering corrections only when needed.
Observation: Look mainly through the rear window with frequent all-round checks. Stop for anyone affected.
Rejoin the left
Prepare, observe and move back to the left only when there is a safe gap in both directions.
Observation: A full right blind-spot check matters before leaving the kerb.
Common difficulties and what to change
A vehicle approaches while you are preparing to cross.
Keep the car in a safe position and reassess. A signal does not reserve the right-hand side of the road. Wait for a suitable opportunity rather than rushing to complete the movement before the other vehicle arrives.
The car drifts away from the kerb while reversing.
Reduce the task to a slow, controlled adjustment. Look mainly in the direction of travel while maintaining all-round checks, and use small steering changes where needed. Stop if the path or surrounding traffic becomes uncertain.
You are ready to leave but one direction is not clear.
Wait. Rejoining crosses one traffic stream and joins another, so both matter. Refresh the observations, including the relevant blind spots, immediately before moving rather than relying on the checks made during the reverse.
Work on one specific issue during supervised practice. For observations, see mirrors and blind spots. When preparing for an assessed drive, use the practical mock-test guide.
Questions about pull up on the right
How far do I reverse?
The practical-test exercise asks you to reverse for about two car lengths before rejoining the traffic. Keep the distance subordinate to control and observations: do not focus on counting metres while missing someone entering the space.
Does a safe gap to cross mean it is also safe to reverse?
No. The traffic may change after you stop. Treat selecting reverse and moving away again as fresh decisions, with the observations each movement needs. Earlier checks do not cover the rest of the exercise automatically.
Reference points are not a substitute for looking
Use reference points agreed with your instructor for your own car. Keep checking the full area, including pedestrians, cyclists and the front of the car as it swings. If the position is not right, pause, observe and make a controlled correction rather than forcing the steering sequence.
For the wider learning sequence, see the practical driving course. Before the test, practise the vehicle-safety questions too.