↩️ "L park": reversing around a corner
Reversing around a corner into a side road on the left (the L manoeuvre) step by step, plus the L-shaped bay park that some instructors also call "L park".
What learners in Malta call the "L" or "L park" is usually this: you pass a side road on the main road, stop, then reverse around the corner into the side road on the left and continue straight back, close to the kerb. The car's path traces a letter "L" — hence the name.
Note: Some instructors also use "L park" for 90° bay parking, because the car traces an "L" as it reverses in. Ask your instructor which one they mean. Bay parking has its own lesson; this lesson focuses mainly on reversing around a corner.
Step by step
- Assess the side road: the examiner asks you to stop past the side road on the left. As you pass, look into it: narrow or wide, sharp or gentle corner, parked cars, pedestrians or obstructions?
- Stop: mirror, left signal, stop about 2 car lengths past the corner, parallel to the kerb and about 0.5 m from it. Cancel the signal.
- Observation and reverse gear: select reverse, look all round 360°. If clear, reverse straight back slower than walking pace, following the kerb in the mirror.
- Turning point: when the start of the corner is level with your rear wheel — in many cars, when the kerb starts to curve away in the left mirror or the corner appears in the rear side window — stop and look all round again.
- Follow the corner: steer gently left. How much depends on how sharp the corner is: the aim is to keep the distance from the kerb (about 0.5 m) constant. If the gap closes, straighten a little; if it opens, add a little more left.
- Watch the front: as you turn, your front swings out to the right into the main road. Keep looking for traffic on the main road and vehicles wanting to turn into the side road. If someone comes, stop and give way if needed.
- Straighten: when the car is parallel to the side road, straighten the wheel and continue straight back about 2–3 car lengths, looking through the rear window, close to the kerb.
- Finish: stop, handbrake, neutral. The examiner will usually ask you to drive out and rejoin the main road — using the normal rules for emerging from a junction.
Where to look
- Reversing straight: the rear window, with the mirrors as support.
- At the corner: left mirror and left rear window (distance from the kerb) + right shoulder (main-road traffic) + front (the swinging nose).
- In the side road: pedestrians use exactly this corner to cross. Watch people on the pavement.
If a vehicle wants to come out of the side road, stop and give it priority; your manoeuvre must not cut across its path. If needed, pull forward a little to make room.
Common errors
| Error | Fix |
|---|---|
| Hitting / mounting the kerb | Steering too early or too much. Wait for the turning point, steer less, go slower. |
| Swinging wide into the road | Steering too late or too little. Watch the kerb in the left mirror and add left lock as the gap opens. |
| Only using the mirrors | The rear window is the main view; at the corner especially the right shoulder check. |
| Carrying on despite traffic | If a vehicle or pedestrian comes, stopping is correct — the examiner expects it. |
| Too fast | Clutch at biting point; slower than walking. |
Briefly: the L-shaped bay park
If your instructor means bay parking by "L park": drive past the bay and stop, reverse and apply full lock when the bay line reaches a set reference point (for example in the rear side window), then straighten once the car is parallel to the lines and reverse in. Details are in the "Reverse bay parking" lesson.
Instructor's advice: Every side road is different. Practise on both sharp and wide corners with your instructor, and try the typical corners around the test centre before your test.
