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Slow speed manoeuvres are all about precision, control, and awareness of your surroundings. Testing officers look for smooth, deliberate movements, correct signalling, consistent scanning, and maintaining safe distances from hazards, kerbs, and other vehicles. Slow speed manoeurves in NZ driver testing include:

• Parallel parking

• 3-point turns

• U-turns

• Reversing in a straight line or around a corner

• Pulling in and out from kerbs

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​Before performing any slow speed manoeuvre:

• indicate left, slow down, and check your rear and left mirror and left blind spot.

• Stop close to the curb (or parked car)  

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U-Turns 
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1. Choose a wide, clear gap in both directions.

2. Signal right for at least 3 seconds before starting, check your right and rear mirrors and your right-side blind spot.

3. Fully turn the steering wheel before accelerating to maximise available space. Insufficient steering can make it hard to complete the turn in one go. 

4. Keep steering and acceleration smooth — don’t accelerate hard, as sharp speed changes make it harder to judge the arc.

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Extra tips and tricks:

• Watch for hidden vehicles behind parked cars — motorbikes in particular can appear suddenly.

• Be mindful of camber (road slope), which can increase your turning radius.

• Use the full width of the road, but don’t cross the centre line unnecessarily.

• Watch for pedestrians — they have priority on the side you’re turning into.

• When doing a U-turn at the end of a cul-de-sac, slow down and indicate right for three seconds before following the curb around. Don't pull over to the left because other drivers may think you're going into a driveway and cut you off.

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Three-point Turns

 

1. Preparation

   • Indicate only for the first movement; the 2nd and 3rd moves don’t require signals.

   • Wheels straight when waiting — if rear-ended, you won’t be pushed into oncoming traffic.

   • Scan for traffic in all directions — remember you never have right of way during a 3-point turn. Keep your head moving left to right the entire time to maintain full situational awareness.
      

2. Execution

   • Turn full lock toward the kerb and move forward slowly until close.

   • Reverse with full lock the opposite way, checking blind spots.

   • Move forward again to complete the turn.

 

Extra tips and tricks:

• Keep moves tight but smooth — wide swings increase risk from oncoming vehicles.

• Give yourself plenty of space to perform the maneuver, considering narrow roads, parked cars, and other obstacles that may be present. 

• Keep checking your blind spots throughout the turns. For example, during the third move of a 3-point turn, scan left to ensure there are no moving vehicles from that direction that have the right of way. 

• Keep the steering wheel turning while the vehicle is moving — this saves time and space.

• Avoid “dry steering” (turning when stationary) except in very tight spots, as it stresses the steering components.

• Aim to utilise as much road space as possible with each move of the 3-point turn. This will help prevent the need for additional turns.

• ​If driving a larger vehicle, practise lightly touching the curb during the first and second moves of a 3-point turn to gauge your proximity. Move about a foot away from the curb and pause to assess your stopping point for each move.

• If you encounter obstacles or other vehicles while turning, remain calm and make adjustments as needed without rushing. 

• Consider using landmarks or visual cues in your environment to help gauge distances and angles during turns. 
   

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