In the driving test, candidates must show their ability to perform specific maneuvers like types of parking, turns. These tests evaluate how well they can control the car in various situations, showing their capacity to handle tight spots and maneuver safely.
Handling turns and parking during practical driving tests in Abu Dhabi requires both skill and observance of specific regulations. Here's a detailed guide.
Understanding Traffic Rules: Before the test, familiarize yourself with Abu Dhabi's traffic laws and regulations. This includes aware of speed limits, right-of-way rules, and parking regulations.
Observation and Signals: Always use your mirrors and look over your shoulder for blind spots before turning or changing lanes. Use turn signals well in advance to indicate your intentions.
Here is step by step guide to Make Turns:
• Slow down smoothly when you approach a turn.
• Check traffic signals and signs to determine the correct lane for turning.
Use the appropriate turning technique based on the situation:
• For a right turn, position your vehicle on the right side of the lane.
• For a left turn, position your vehicle closer to the centerline or median.
• Yield to pedestrians and oncoming traffic when required.
• Make the turn smoothly and without crossing into other lanes.
Parallel Parking:
Understand the different types of parking (parallel, perpendicular, angled) and practice each.
Parallel parking is a parking technique where a vehicle is parked parallel to the curb or edge of the road. It typically involves positioning the vehicle into a space between two parked vehicles and aligning the vehicle's front or rear end with the vehicles parked in front and behind. This method of parking is commonly used in urban areas where parking space is limited and often requires skillful positioning to fit the vehicle into the available space.
Here's a step-by-step guide to parallel parking:
Find a space: Look for a parking space that is large enough to accommodate your vehicle.
Signal and position: Use your turn signal to indicate your intention to park. Position your car parallel to the car in front of the empty parking space, leaving about 1 meter (3 feet) of space between your car and theirs. Make sure to align your car's rear bumper with the rear bumper of the adjacent car.
Position your car: Begin reversing slowly while keeping an eye on your surroundings. Turn your steering wheel to the right (towards the curb) at a 45-degree angle.
Check your surroundings: Continuously check your mirrors and blind spots for any pedestrians, cyclists, or vehicles approaching.
Reverse: As you continue to reverse, maintain the 45-degree angle with your steering wheel turned to the right. Aim to position your car parallel to the curb while leaving enough space between your car and the one behind you.
Straighten out: Once your car's rear bumper is approximately within 30 centimeters (1 foot) of the curb, straighten your wheels by turning the steering wheel fully to the left.
Pull forward: After straightening your wheels, pull forward to center your car within the parking space. Adjust your position as needed to ensure you're not too close to the cars in front and behind you.
Check your position: Take a moment to check your position within the parking space. Ensure that your car is within the lines and not extending into the road or encroaching on neighboring parking spaces.
Final adjustments: Make any final adjustments as necessary to ensure your car is properly parked and aligned within the space. Double-check your surroundings before exiting the vehicle.
Perpendicular Parking:
Perpendicular parking, used in busy urban areas, allows more vehicles to fit in a smaller area.
Here's a step-by-step guide to perpendicular parking:
Find a space: Ensure that the space is large enough to accommodate your vehicle comfortably without obstructing other vehicles.
Signal and position: Before beginning the parking, activate your turn signal in the direction you intend to park. This alerts other drivers of your intention to pull into the parking space. Position your vehicle parallel to the parking space, leaving sufficient space on both sides for parking.
Position your car: Once you've positioned your vehicle parallel to the parking space, slowly begin reversing into the space. Use your mirrors and rearview camera to guide you. Align your car with the parking lines to ensure that it's centered within the space.
Check your surroundings: Continuously check your surroundings for pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles. Make sure it's safe to continue reversing.
Adjust position: Once your vehicle is completely within the parking space, straighten your wheels to align them with the curb. Make any necessary adjustments to center your car within the space, ensuring that it's evenly positioned between the parking lines.
Check your position: After parking, take a moment to assess your vehicle's position within the parking space.
Final adjustments: Make any final adjustments as necessary to ensure your car is properly parked and aligned within the space. Double-check your surroundings before exiting the vehicle.
Secure your vehicle: After parking, engage the parking brake to secure your vehicle in place. If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, shift it into the park. For manual transmissions, engage the gear appropriate for parking (typically first gear or reverse). Turn off the engine and remove the keys from the ignition to prevent any unauthorized movement. Double-check that all lights are turned off to conserve battery power.
Angle Parking:
Angle parking, or diagonal parking, means parking your car at an angle to the curb or road edge. This is common in Abu Dhabi, especially in places like parking lots and shopping centers where there's enough space. When angle parking, cars are usually parked at about a 45 to 60-degree angle to the curb. This helps to use the parking space efficiently and makes it easier for drivers to get in and out compared to parallel parking.
Here's a step-by-step guide to angle parking:
Approach the parking space: Drive slowly towards the parking space, keeping an eye out for any pedestrians or oncoming traffic. Use your turn signal to indicate your intention to park.
Position your car: As you approach the parking space, align your vehicle parallel to the parking spaces. Stop once your car is alongside the space where you intend to park. Leave sufficient space between your car and any vehicles parked nearby to ensure you have enough space for parking.
Check your surroundings: Before beginning to park, check your mirrors and blind spots for any pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles approaching.
Start parking: Slowly start turning your steering wheel towards the parking space. Aim to angle your car at approximately 45 to 60 degrees relative to the curb or edge of the roadway. As you begin to reverse, maintain control of your vehicle and proceed slowly into the parking space.
Center your car: Once your vehicle is entirely within the parking space, straighten your steering wheel to align your car parallel to the other parked vehicles. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure your car is centered within the parking space and positioned evenly between the lines.
Check your position: Take a moment to check your position within the parking space.
Secure your vehicle: After parking, engage the parking brake to secure your vehicle in place. If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, shift it into the park. For manual transmissions, engage the appropriate gear. Turn off the engine and remove the keys from the ignition to prevent any unauthorized movement.
