Question (Reverse around corner)

fmagosso

Is it really mandatory I should be looking over my left shoulder the entire time when doing the reverse around the corner manouvre?!

I'm able to do it just by using the mirrors. That twisted awkward neck position when holding the wheel with BOTH hands is hell to me.

Thanks for the help guys.

here.from.day.1

Definatly not the entire time. Most people can reverse using the mirrors alone but there is a blind spot, so its crutial you glance behind you now and again during the procedure. I know it can be awkward but you will fail if you dont.

kaimera

I thought you have to use mirrors while looking around to check the 3 areas around the car?

heh, then again before I started lessons I thought you could throw an arm over the passenger seat and look behind while reversing

Thumpette

My driving instructer taught me a really easy way to do this.

Basically before you start you have a good look around, with mirrors and turning round in your seat- a proper 360. Once you know the coast is clear by that you have a couple of seconds. Use that time to reverse back using only your left mirror- all you need to concentrate on is the distance to the kerb you can see in your mirror.

After a couple of seconds, stop. Check all round you again. Repeat process, only looking at your left mirror (while being aware of your rear)

As you move into the bend do the same.

As you complete the bend do the same again.

Really worked for me, its quite easy and I passed the test with it.

Good luck!

Orla K

Jumping on the thread. How bad is it if you don't do it enough in the test. The reason I ask is because I hurt my neck and as a result I can't turn my neck fully to the left my chin doesn't reach the shoulder and there's a bigger strain even getting as far as I can. Its only on my left side.

Thumpette

Orla K wrote: »

Jumping on the thread. How bad is it if you don't do it enough in the test. The reason I ask is because I hurt my neck and as a result I can't turn my neck fully to the left my chin doesn't reach the shoulder and there's a bigger strain even getting as far as I can. Its only on my left side.

I would think if you dont have a proper look around it could be very bad. The way I suggested might be very good for you- I actually hurt my nect myself a week or so before the test which is one of the reasons I did it this way. As you are totally stopped for the 360 checks it means you can move your whole body in the seat to get the full look around, and not have to rely so much on twisting your neck around.

TwoShedsJackson

Remember that the main thing they are testing here is your general observation, not just you getting around the corner without hitting the kerb.

As such when you are stopped, check the mirrors and look to your right as well, then when moving backwards, mainly use the left wing mirror and look over your left shoulder out the back - 'you should always look in the direction the car is moving' as my old instructor told me.

J_R

fmagosso wrote: »

Is it really mandatory I should be looking over my left shoulder the entire time when doing the reverse around the corner manouvre?!

I'm able to do it just by using the mirrors. That twisted awkward neck position when holding the wheel with BOTH hands is hell to me.

Thanks for the help guys.

Not mandatory, just frequent all around checks. You MAY reverse with just ONE hand on the wheel. What you do with the other hand is immaterial. If you feel more comfortable with it draped over the passenger seat - do so

kaimera wrote: »

heh, then again before I started lessons I thought you could throw an arm over the passenger seat and look behind while reversing

You used your common sense in finding a way to reverse, safely and in control. Why should you change, your instructor is wrong

TwoShedsJackson

Putting your left arm across the back of the passenger seat does absolutely nothing to improve reversing or anything else. Keeping it on the wheel is helpful for control.

damp sponge

kaimera wrote: »

I thought you have to use mirrors while looking around to check the 3 areas around the car?

heh, then again before I started lessons I thought you could throw an arm over the passenger seat and look behind while reversing

I thought you were allowed do this? I just passed my test two weeks ago and did it and wasn't marked down for it. My instructor seen me do this during our lessons and said it was grand as long as I don't let go of the wheel with my other hand.

The reason I do it is so I can turn my head more. Anyone know what the craic with this is?

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

J_R

TwoShedsJackson wrote: »

Putting your left arm across the back of the passenger seat does absolutely nothing to improve reversing or anything else. Keeping it on the wheel is helpful for control.

Hi,

Disagree. Keeping both hands on the wheel is fine if you are a contortionist. Forcing yourself into an uncomfortable position is not helpful towards control. In fact opposite is true.

And you are only travelling at three perhaps four Km/h, you can easily and safely control the car with one hand.

And it is quite acceptable in the test

brian076

While it's always advisable to keep both hands on the wheel as much as possible, it's perfectly acceptable to use 1 hand while doing the reverse manoeuvre and a lot of people find it more comfortable to do it this way.

As Donegafella says you can use the mirrors or look behind over your shoulder, but a combination of both is advisable and the observation must be effective. It's also important that you look over your right shoulder before you start to turn into the road.

tormented

Hi all, forgetting about it being your driving test, you are reversing a car (truck,bus) in a built up area. If you only use your mirrors then i assume you are not checking your blindspots. If you only look through the back and side window it can be quite hard to judge the distance from the kerb. My advise, start with both hands on the steering wheel. If you need to put your left hand down then do. Glance in your mirrors and windows and blindspot frequently.Finish of with both hands on the steering wheel. Most people pick up their mark for observation.

fmagosso

#gosh#
I'm going to ask my instructor again on Thursday.

He said I SHOULD by any means keep both hands on the wheel and be always looking over my left shoulder during the entire manouvre, what, as I said before, it's very hard for me to do it.

I agree with the comment about not being a contortionist. lol

Thanks ya all fellas

brian076

If your instructor is telling you to only look over your left shoulder, you should consider getting a new instructor.

If you don't look over your right shoulder, or at the very least check your right mirror, before turning into the road, ie before the front of your car starts to move out into the road, you'll definitely pick up a grade 2 mark and quite possibly a grade 3.

Alanstrainor

brian076 wrote: »

If your instructor is telling you to only look over your left shoulder, you should consider getting a new instructor.

If you don't look over your right shoulder, or at the very least check your right mirror, before turning into the road, ie before the front of your car starts to move out into the road, you'll definitely pick up a grade 2 mark and quite possibly a grade 3.

+1, checking over your right shoulder before you begin to turn is essential, as the front of the car will swing out. Just to note, as well as being able to place your left hand on the passenger seat, you're also allowed to remove your seatbelt! Although i wouldnt recommend it as you may forget to reapply is after that manoeuvre.

brian076

Alanstrainor wrote: »

+1, checking over your right shoulder before you begin to turn is essential, as the front of the car will swing out. Just to note, as well as being able to place your left hand on the passenger seat, you're also allowed to remove your seatbelt! Although i wouldnt recommend it as you may forget to reapply is after that manoeuvre.

+1 you can also adjust your left mirror to see the kerb more clearly, but again I wouldn't advise this as you may forget to re-adjust it and incur faults for obs turning left.

If you do take off your seatbelt and forget to put it back on, the tester will actually just remind you and you won't incur a fault.