Basic driving manoeuvres.
Parking, reversing, turning around, emergency braking: these are the Grundfahraufgaben (basic driving manoeuvres) of the practical driving test. Here you will learn what comes up for Class B, when and how to steer and what to look at — and what is an official rule and what is just a reference point.
Updated: June 2026, by driving-school pros.
In short: For Class B the examiner usually asks for two tasks — almost always the Gefahrbremsung (emergency braking) plus a reversing or parking task. It is not about memorising, but about clean, controlled vehicle handling.
What are Grundfahraufgaben?
Grundfahraufgaben (basic driving manoeuvres) are set driving manoeuvres that you perform in the practical test when the examiner asks for them. They show that you handle your vehicle slowly, in control and safely — when manoeuvring, parking and braking.
Which tasks exist and how they are assessed is set out in the official test guidelines. The examiner chooses from them — so you do not know beforehand with one hundred percent certainty which two will come up. That is why it pays off to master all of them.
Which ones for Class B?
- Usually two tasks from the official catalogue.
- Almost always included: braking with maximum possible deceleration (Gefahrbremsung / emergency braking).
- Plus, in most cases, a reversing or parking task (parallel, bay or around a corner), or turning around.
The basis is the test guidelines for the German Driving Licence Ordinance (Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung, FeV). The number and selection of tasks is set by the examiner for each test — the exact assessment is always made by the examiner.
The tasks at a glance
You practise these seven manoeuvres in the app as a top-down view — step by step:
| Task | What it is about |
|---|---|
| Parallel parking in reverse | Reverse into a parking space at the edge of the road, parallel to the kerb (Bordstein). |
| Forward bay parking | Steer forwards into a marked bay (e.g. a parking spot) and end up straight. |
| Reverse bay parking | Reverse into a bay — better visibility when driving out later. |
| Angle parking | Drive into a diagonally arranged space. |
| Reversing around a corner | Reverse to the right around a street corner, close to the kerb. |
| Turning around | Reverse the direction of travel in several moves (three-point turn). |
| Gefahrbremsung (emergency braking) | Bring the car to a stop from speed with maximum possible deceleration. |
Emergency braking memory aid: Check the mirror briefly, then firmly and without hesitation on the brake (the ABS may rattle), clutch only just before stopping — the car has to come to a stop fast, but in control.
Official rule vs. reference point
The most important point, which many apps mix up — we separate it cleanly:
- 🟢 Official (always applies): e.g. no more than two corrective moves, at the end parallel and max. ~30 cm from the kerb (Bordstein), without mounting the kerb.
- 🟡 Reference point (orientation only): e.g. “steer full lock when the kerb disappears in the right side mirror.” Depends on the vehicle and your seating position — ask your driving instructor about your reference points.
Reference points are learning aids, not fixed truths. Anyone who adopts them blindly will get it wrong in a different car. That is why TheorieCoach marks green = official and amber = reference point in every diagram.
Most common mistakes
- Manoeuvred too fast — at walking pace you have time to steer and look.
- Forgot the shoulder check & all-round check — when reversing, what counts is the view to the rear and all around, not just the mirror.
- Mounted the kerb or parked too far away.
- Needed more than two corrective moves.
- Emergency braking too timid — the deceleration has to be “maximum possible,” not gentle.
How you practise the basic driving manoeuvres
- Top-down diagrams: every task as a bird’s-eye view with numbered steps — you see exactly when to steer in, go to full lock and counter-steer.
- Split into official & reference point — no dangerous half-knowledge.
- Eye guidance marked: where to look, when to do a shoulder check, when an all-round check.
- Available offline — even on the practice ground with no signal.
This is part of the Praxis-Coach in TheorieCoach: the app does not stop at the theory, but accompanies you all the way to the practical test — together with the Abfahrtkontrolle (vehicle safety check) and your driving lessons.
Common questions
Which basic driving manoeuvres come up for Class B?
Usually two — almost always the emergency braking plus a reversing/parking task (parallel, bay, around a corner) or turning around.
How many tasks do I have to do?
For Class B the examiner usually picks two from the official catalogue.
How often am I allowed to correct while parking?
Usually up to two corrective moves. At the end parallel and max. ~30 cm from the kerb, without mounting it.
Official rule or just a reference point?
Official rules always apply (test guidelines). Reference points (e.g. steering points in the mirror) depend on the vehicle — ask your driving instructor.
What is the best way to practise?
Real practice in the car + a clear mental picture of the movements. The app shows every task as a top-down view with steps, split into official and reference point.
Practise every task with a top-down diagram
Choose your category, see every step from above, learn when and how to steer — split into official rule and reference point. Free in the TheorieCoach app.