Practical Driving Test Manoeuvre: Kerbside Stop (and Hill Start)

A kerbside stop is a relatively simple manoeuvre you will be asked to complete during your practical driving test. During a kerbside stop you will be assessed on your ability to position your vehicle legally, safely and accurately.

A kerbside stop (and potentially a subsequent hill start) will be located, where possible, on an upward slope sufficient to cause the vehicle to roll back if allowed. The stretch of road should be sufficiently free of parked vehicles and other obstructions to allow driving in to and out from the kerb. You will be expected to shut down the vehicle and secure it as if parking.

There are a number of steps you must take to successfully complete a kerbside stop. You should practice these steps so you are able to complete this manoeuvre seamlessly in the practical test.

During the test the testing officer will let you know that you will be required to do a kerbside stop. They will always notify you with sufficient time and space to consider and complete the manoeuvre. They will say something like:

“We will be doing a kerbside stop. Please pull over to the kerb and park the car. Secure the car as if you are going to leave it and switch off the motor”

At this point you should execute the steps required to complete a kerbside stop.

You should scan the road you’re required to stop on for signs indicating areas in which you must not stop. This includes bus stops, no parking/stopping areas, in front of driveways, and too close to intersections.

When you’re happy you can legally stop, you should indicate your intention to pull over to the left.

Before changing steering direction you should check your mirrors and head check your left side blind spot for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

After your observation checks are complete and it is safe to pull over, approach the kerb. This manoeuvre does not require sharp or sudden movement like a parking manoeuvre. Instead, you should pull over gradually without impeding following traffic (this is shown in the video below). Be careful not to touch the kerb with your wheels as you approach. You will fail if you mount the kerb at any point.

When you come to a complete stop, the vehicle should be as close to parallel as practical, within any marked lines and less than 50cm (500mm) from the kerb. If you are parked next to another vehicle you should be between 1-2m from it.

After stopping you should turn off your indicator, apply the hand brake, select Park or first gear, turn off the engine, remove the key, and remove your hands and feet from all controls as you would if you were to leave the vehicle.

You can watch the video below to see a demonstration of the steps above. Please note that in the video the vehicle is parked in front of a driveway. This is not allowed and you should not do this.

When the kerbside stop is completed and the testing officer is ready to continue, they will say something like:

“When you are ready, please restart the car and continue driving along the street.”

You should then complete the necessary steps and checks to start the car and rejoin traffic. If the testing officer is required to assist you to start the car after the kerbside stop a fail item will apply. The test will continue, though you will no longer be able to pass.

Make sure you indicate for at least 5 seconds before leaving the kerb to rejoin traffic. You should check your mirrors and head check your right blind spot for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

As testing officers aim to test the kerbside stop on an upward slope, this step will likely require a hill start. You must ensure your vehicle does not roll back more that 50cm (500mm) when you begin to drive, as this will result in a fail for not maintaining proper control of the vehicle.

Once you have rejoined traffic the test will continue as required.

For further information on the practical driving test, you can read the Roads and Maritime Services produced ‘A Guide to the Driving Test’ and the Driving Test NSW summary of that document.