When the DVSA introduced pulling up on the right as an optional test manoeuvre, many learners were caught off guard. Unlike bay parking or a turn in the road, this exercise involves stopping on the right-hand side of the road — something that feels instinctively wrong to drivers trained to keep left. But with a clear understanding of what examiners want to see, it is entirely manageable.
What Is the "Pull Up on the Right" Manoeuvre?
Your examiner will ask you to pull up on the right-hand side of the road, reverse back two car lengths, and then rejoin the traffic flow. It tests three key skills: accurate positioning, safe observation, and smooth vehicle control. The DVSA includes it as one of several possible manoeuvres on the practical test, so there is a real chance it will come up on your test day.
With driving test waiting times still stretched across the UK — highlighted recently in a parliamentary letter to the Minister flagging slow progress on backlogs — every manoeuvre you can master in practice translates directly into a better chance of passing when you finally get your slot.
Step-by-Step: How to Do It Correctly
1. Use Your MSM Routine
As soon as the examiner gives the instruction, begin your Mirror–Signal–Manoeuvre routine. Check your centre mirror, then your right mirror. Signal right. Move across to the right-hand side of the road smoothly and stop close to — but not touching — the kerb.
2. Position and Stop Accurately
Aim to park parallel to the right-hand kerb, roughly 30–40 cm away. Avoid mounting the kerb or stopping at an angle. Apply the handbrake and cancel your signal. The examiner will be watching your proximity to the kerb and whether you cause any inconvenience to oncoming traffic.
3. Reverse Two Car Lengths
Before reversing, carry out thorough all-round observations — check all mirrors and look over both shoulders. Reverse slowly and steadily for approximately two car lengths, keeping close to the right-hand kerb. Keep checking for pedestrians stepping off the pavement and for vehicles approaching from either direction.
- Creep back slowly — control is more important than speed
- Keep your steering corrections small and gradual
- Look out of the rear window as your primary reference point
- Never stop checking your mirrors and blind spots throughout
4. Rejoin the Road Safely
Once you have reversed two car lengths, the examiner will ask you to rejoin the traffic when it is safe to do so. This is the most critical observation moment of the whole manoeuvre. You are effectively pulling out into what is normally oncoming traffic, so you must:
- Check mirrors thoroughly — centre, right, then left
- Signal right to indicate you are moving back across the road
- Look right and ahead for oncoming vehicles before moving
- Accelerate smoothly back to your normal road position on the left
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most frequent fault examiners record is poor observation when pulling back across the carriageway. Learners are often so focused on steering that they forget to check for traffic. Other common errors include stopping too far from the kerb, reversing too quickly, and forgetting to cancel the signal after stopping.
Practising on real local roads is the best way to build confidence. The SteerClear app lets you practise actual DVSA test centre routes with live scoring, so you can rehearse manoeuvres in the exact areas your examiner is likely to use on test day.
Why Examiners Set This Manoeuvre
Pulling up on the right replicates a genuinely common real-world situation — stopping outside a shop on a narrow high street, for example, or dropping off a passenger when parking on the left is not possible. The DVSA wants to see that you can handle an unfamiliar position on the road with the same calm, systematic approach you bring to everything else.
Final Checklist
- MSM routine before moving right
- Park parallel and close to the right kerb
- Full all-round checks before and during reversing
- Signal and observe carefully before rejoining traffic
- Stay calm — slow, deliberate movements always beat rushing
Treat it like any other manoeuvre: preparation, observation, and control. Get those three right and your examiner will have nothing to fault.