Basic Control Skills

Exercises & Course Dimensions

Exercises & Course Dimensions

Straight Line Backing

You may be asked to back your vehicle in a straight line between two rows of cones or other boundary lines without touching or crossing over the exercise boundaries.

Offset Back/Right

You may be asked to back into a space that is to the right rear of your vehicle. You will drive straight forward to the outer boundary. From that position, you must back your vehicle into the opposite lane until the front of your vehicle has passed the first set of cones. Do not strike the boundary lines or cones. You must place your vehicle completely into the space so that your front bumper is behind the first set of cones.

Offset Back/Left

You may be asked to back into a space that is to the left rear of your vehicle. You will drive straight forward to the outer boundary. From that position, you must back your vehicle into the opposite lane until the front of your vehicle has passed the first set of cones. Do not strike the boundary lines or cones. You must place your vehicle completely into the space so that your front bumper is behind the first set of cones.

Parallel Park (Driver Side)

You may be asked to park in a parallel parking space that is on your left. You are to drive past the entrance to the parallel parking space with your vehicle parallel to the parking area; then back into the space without crossing front, side or rear boundaries marked by cones. You are required to get your vehicle completely into the space.

Parallel Park (Conventional)

You may be asked to park in a parallel parking space that is on your right. You are to drive past the entrance to the parallel parking space with your vehicle parallel to the parking area; then back into the space without crossing front, side or rear boundaries marked by cones. You are required to get your vehicle completely into the space.

Alley Dock

You may be asked to sight-side back your vehicle into an alley. You will drive past the alley and position your vehicle parallel to the outer boundary. From that position, back into the alley bringing the rear of your vehicle within three feet of the rear of the alley. Your vehicle must finish with the rear of the vehicle inside the 3’ stop box. Do not go beyond the exercise boundary marked by a line or row of cones, or touch side boundary lines or cones. Your vehicle must be straight within the alley when completed.

Visual Exercise Examples

Straight Line Backing

Straight Line Backing Example

Offset Backing

Offset Backing Right Example
Offset Backing Left Example
Offset Backing Exercise Dimensions

Parallel Park

Parallel Park - Driver's Side
Parallel Park - Conventional
Parallel Park Exercise Dimensions