Parallel parking on a motorbike isn’t as tricky as it sounds, but when you’re under pressure during your test, even simple things can feel a bit overwhelming. For riders going for their motorcycle licence in VIC, parallel parking is one of the skills you’ll need to show you’ve got under control. While it’s not as common as other riding manoeuvres, it can still trip you up if you haven’t spent time getting the basics right.
Plenty of learners run into problems with this part of the test. Maybe the space is tighter than expected, or nerves get in the way of balance and timing. The good news is that with the right approach and practice, you can get good at parallel parking without too much drama. Let’s go through what it actually involves during the test and how to give yourself the best chance of passing it cleanly.
Understanding Parallel Parking In VIC
During the VicRoads motorcycle licence test, you’ll be asked to demonstrate a variety of skills, and parallel parking is one of them. This part of the test checks how well you can control your bike in a slow and steady way. It’s not about speed or doing anything tricky. It’s about showing smooth handling, correct positioning and safe riding habits in a tight space.
When you’re asked to perform this task, the key elements examiners look at include:
– Whether you use your mirrors and head checks at the right times
– How smoothly and accurately you steer into the space
– If you stay within the given boundaries
– Your balance and braking throughout the move
– How you use your indicators and other controls
There’s no room for rushing. Success comes down to timing, awareness and staying calm. Many riders make the mistake of overthinking it, or they lean too heavily to one side while turning in. Visualising the full move before you begin helps, especially if you’ve had a chance to practise it in a similar-sized space.
A good example of what goes wrong can be seen when riders treat it like parallel parking a car. On a motorcycle, you don’t have reverse, and you rely much more on body positioning and brake control to make small adjustments. Trying to inch forward and back like you’d do with four wheels usually ends in the rider putting a foot down early or misjudging the gap completely.
Having a clear understanding of what’s expected during the test and how to control your bike at low speeds can take a lot of the stress out of it. That way you’re focused on the technique instead of worrying what the examiner is thinking.
Step-By-Step Guide To Parallel Parking
To help make this skill less of a stress point, here’s a simple breakdown of the parallel parking process as it’s expected during the VIC motorcycle test:
1. Approach the space carefully
Reduce your speed and come to a smooth stop before the space. Check your mirrors and perform a head check towards the kerb to stay aware of what’s around you.
2. Signal and position correctly
Activate your left indicator before making your move towards the parking area. Make sure your bike is aligned properly and maintain a reasonable distance from the kerb or obstacle behind you.
3. Use rear brake and clutch for control
Use the rear brake lightly while easing out the clutch to roll in at a slow, steady pace. Keep your head up and eyes on where you want the tyre to go. Don’t look down at the road or the kerb.
4. Turn into the space
Lean gently and steer into the parking space in a controlled arc. Your body should remain upright while the bike leans subtly into the turn. Balance with your knees and centre body as needed.
5. Straighten and stop cleanly
Once you’re inside the space, straighten the bike out so it’s parallel to the kerb. Bring the bike to a full stop with both feet down, ensuring both tyres are inside the lines if they exist.
Practising this routine several times in the lead-up to your test will make a big difference. Familiarity helps you stay calm during the actual test and makes small moves feel automatic. Don’t forget to practise with different widths and lengths of spaces, so you learn to adjust depending on what’s in front of you. Keeping your head up and moving slowly are the two best habits you can build for handling this part of the test with confidence.
Common Mistakes And How To Avoid Them
Even riders confident in their general handling can hit roadblocks when it comes to parallel parking. Being aware of some of the most common mistakes helps you avoid them when it matters most. Here are a few things that often trip people up during their motorcycle licence test in VIC:
– Rushing into the space
Trying to complete the move too quickly leads to poor control and misjudged angles. Slowing down gives you better balance and room to correct along the way.
– Forgetting mirrors and head checks
It’s easy to be so focused on steering that you forget your observational checks. But missing these steps can mean an instant fail.
– Misaligned entrance
If you begin too far or too close to the kerb, you’ll either clip it or run out of space to complete the turn. Start at a comfortable angle with just the right distance from the pit.
– Looking at the ground
This is a natural reaction when nervous but it throws off your balance and sense of direction. Keeping your head up gives you a better chance of placing the bike where it needs to go.
– Relying only on the front brake
Too much front brake during low-speed manoeuvres like this can make the bike feel unstable. The rear brake gives more steady control at slow speeds.
Correcting these habits starts with practice, but it also comes down to awareness. Knowing what can go wrong allows you to catch it before it does.
Practice Tips And Techniques To Build Confidence
Parallel parking shouldn’t be the thing standing between you and your licence, especially when regular practice makes it much easier to manage. Focused training in a calm setting builds both confidence and muscle memory.
Here are a few practice ideas worth trying before your VIC test:
– Use classroom markers or objects like empty bins to create a mock parking bay. This helps train your judgement and control in real-world sizes.
– Practise low-speed control by riding in a straight line then circling tightly around an object using the clutch and rear brake. This trains the kind of control you’ll need when easing into parking spots.
– Change locations often. Practise in driveways, carparks, side streets and courtyards so you learn to adapt to different space sizes and kerb heights.
– Practise both directions. Even if you’re more comfortable parking left-side in, train on the opposite side too so you’re ready for any situation.
– Focus on calm breathing and posture. It sounds minor, but controlling your body and head position plays a big role when trying to balance and steer at the same time.
Don’t worry if it takes a few tries to feel comfortable. It’s not about getting it right every single time but being able to calmly reset and adjust without panic when it doesn’t go to plan.
Stay Upright’s Training For VIC Riders Makes The Difference
By the time you reach test day, parallel parking shouldn’t feel like guesswork. You want it to be something your body already understands. When you train smart and know what to avoid, you’ll find that even the tighter spaces assigned during the test are manageable.
What really matters is showing the examiner that you’re not just parking the bike, but that you’re in control of it from start to finish. That’s what parallel parking during the test is really checking for. They’re not just looking for you to get into the spot. They want to see that you’ve thought about your positioning, stayed steady, checked for hazards and followed each step with awareness.
Each good repetition before test day builds confidence. Each mistake you correct in training gives you an edge. By the time you’re doing the real thing, you’ll know you’re ready and that makes all the difference.
Finish mastering your skills by joining a course specifically designed to help with your motorcycle licence in VIC. At Stay Upright, our professional trainers can guide you through the entire learning process, offering tips and techniques to conquer parallel parking with confidence. Explore our diverse training options to boost your riding proficiency and ensure you’re ready for the test.
