Reversing around a corner... tips?

gowayouttadat

Any tips for reversing around a corner?

Have my test in the morning and this is the only part I don't feel confident with. Everything else is fine. I'm so nervous at the thought of doing it that I know if anything goes wrong I'll panic.

Sunjammer

You might get some ideas from the following video tips: Good luck tomorrow!!


http://www.2pass.co.uk/reverseleft.htm

http://www.driving-test-success.com/rev_corner/cornerrev.html

http://www.drivingtesttips.ie/vpfile/Reverse.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKd0GXZ39U8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orKNmUIIgj0

DriveSkill

Main thing is to keep the speed slow and ensure you take excellent observeration. The maneouver the marked under 3 headings :

Competently : Can you keep reasonably close & a constant distance (about 12-18 inches, dont try be too close) from the kerb, execute it under control but not too slow

Observation : The main observation must be out the rear window. Do not rely on your mirrors alone. This is the area where most faults are picked up for the reverse.

Right of Way : Everyone else has right of way while you are reversing. If another vehicle appears then you should STOP keep your brake lights on and the car in reverse gear (so its obvious what you are doing). 90% of the time they will just drive around you. The only time you may need to move is if the vehicle is emerging from the road you are reversing into, if they dont drive around you then you must move back into the starting position.

For the test, the tester will stop you before the junction they want to you use. They will then tell you to pull forward and reverse back in. Remember to check your blind spot before you pull off at this point! If you havent used the corner before on lessons then have a good look at it as you are driving past to pull in beyond it - is it a curve or a sharp right angle ?. Once you go past the junction, pull in then cancel the signal, pull up the handbrake and engage neutral.

Now you are ready to start the maneouver

Select reverse gear, before moving check all mirrors, area to the front of the car and over both shoulders to check your blindspots. As you start to move you should be looking over your left shoulder and out the back window. Keep the speed slow and as you reverse keep the main observation out the back window with occasional glances to the mirrors and to the front. The footpath/kerb will disappear from the rear window and then appear in the rear side passenger window (depends on your car when this happens). You are now ready to begin to turn the wheel, before you do this check your right blindspot! Depending on the shape of the corner will dictate how much you need to turn the wheel, it varies from almost full lock quickly to gentle continuous movements. Keep the main observation out the rear with occasional glances forwards and to the mirrors. As the kerb appears back into the rear window start to straighten up, use the left mirror as a guide but dont stare into it!! Continue reversing straight back until told to stop.

Once stopped, handbrake up and into neutral. You will then be asked to move off again...do not forget to check your right blindspot before you pull away!!

Good Luck!

gowayouttadat

Thanks a mill. That's brilliant advice.

Went out this evening on my own and did some work on it. The thing that'll throw me is if it's a corner I haven't done before but we'll see how it goes!

One quick question, when I'm reversing around the corner do I need to have an indicator on? I know my instructor told me yesterday but I can't for the life of me remember!

whatdoicare

nope- no indicator. Just indicate when yr pulling over before the manouver and then again before pulling out after the manouver. (don't forget to look over yr shoulder before you indicate and pull out):D Good luck tomorrow

gowayouttadat

Thanks

Was really nervous earlier. Gonna go in expecting to fail though and then I can't be disappointed lol

Sunjammer

Yes you should have your left indicator on as you will be turning left from one road into another

DriveSkill

Sunjammer wrote: »

Yes you should have your left indicator on as you will be turning left from one road into another

That is not correct.

You do not need an indicator while you are reversing (the reversing lights are your indicator) however if you do leave the left indicator on you are unlikely to be faulted for it.

whatdoicare

gowayouttadat wrote: »

Thanks

Was really nervous earlier. Gonna go in expecting to fail though and then I can't be disappointed lol

Ah, you'll be fine- go in with the idea that'll you'll drive as best you can. Keep a cool head and remember that it's only 25 mins, if you fail put it down to experience and apply again. Good luck tomorrow!

Sunjammer

DriveSkill wrote: »

That is not correct.

You do not need an indicator while you are reversing (the reversing lights are your indicator) however if you do leave the left indicator on you are unlikely to be faulted for it.

I disagree, your reverse lights do not indicate your intentions to turn into another road only the fact that your car is in reverse gear therefore you are only presuming what other people might read from seeing your reverse lights whereas a combination of your left indicator and reverse lights give a clear signal to other road users behind you that you intend to reverse into the road behind you to your left

gowayouttadat

I passed... woohoo!!! So happy. I was so nervous my legs were shacking going in.
My reversing wasn't great, well it was ok but I was a bit far out from the kerb.
On the indicator issue my instructor told me this morning that your left indictator should be on the whole time you're reversing. I couldn't tell you if it was or not! I was trying to think about it afterwards and I couldn't tell you what I did.

God what a relief to have that over and done with. I actually think that might have been the most nervous I've been in all my life!

DriveSkill

Congratulations and well done!

Sunjammer

Congratulations!!!!!!!!

Hope you get a little refund from your insurance now too, it would be nice to help you celebrate

brian076

Sunjammer wrote: »

I disagree, your reverse lights do not indicate your intentions to turn into another road only the fact that your car is in reverse gear therefore you are only presuming what other people might read from seeing your reverse lights whereas a combination of your left indicator and reverse lights give a clear signal to other road users behind you that you intend to reverse into the road behind you to your left

Sorry but you're wrong on this one, Driveskill is correct, you don't need an indicator on when reversing. There are numerous signals you can give to other road users other than your indicators, these include, brake lights, hand signals, position & reversing lights. You don't need to duplicate the signal when reversing around the corner, your reversing lights will do.

Sunjammer

brian076 wrote: »

Sorry but you're wrong on this one, Driveskill is correct, you don't need an indicator on when reversing. There are numerous signals you can give to other road users other than your indicators, these include, brake lights, hand signals, position & reversing lights. You don't need to duplicate the signal when reversing around the corner, your reversing lights will do.

That still doesn't make much sense to me Brian as without the left indicator you are simply indicating that the car has reverse gear selected and even with the brake lights on will only indicate that the brake pedal is also pressed, it does not indicate your intention to reverse into a road on your left and also it gives other road users approaching from in front absolutely no idea of your intentions, what your saying is exactly the same as saying to make a right turn because of your position on the road you do not need to indicate sure everyone knows a car positioned to the right is turning right. My Instructor plus the OP's instructor both have said it is necessary to have your left indicator on. What you describe the car could have passed out his left turn and is simply reversing back to take it. It sounds like a bad habit to teach people to me

whatdoicare

Sunjammer wrote: »

That still doesn't make much sense to me Brian as without the left indicator you are simply indicating that the car has reverse gear selected and even with the brake lights on will only indicate that the brake pedal is also pressed, it does not indicate your intention to reverse into a road on your left and also it gives other road users approaching from in front absolutely no idea of your intentions, what your saying is exactly the same as saying to make a right turn because of your position on the road you do not need to indicate sure everyone knows a car positioned to the right is turning right. My Instructor plus the OP's instructor both have said it is necessary to have your left indicator on. What you describe the car could have passed out his left turn and is simply reversing back to take it. It sounds like a bad habit to teach people to me

There is no requirement to use a directional indicator while reversing as a reversing vehicle never has right of way.
I used no indicator during my test as my instructor told me this very statement (my instructor being a former sgs tester, no less). I received no mark against me on my test as a consequence.

Alanstrainor

I would tend to agree with Brian and DriveSkill on this one Sunjammer. The way i always saw it was, for one you'll indicate left when pulling in to prepare for the manoeuvre, leaving your left indicator would be misleading imo. Also the fact that you must give way to everyone when reversing would mean that regardless you'd have to stop if you encounter another motorist. Also there's the fact that any motorist encountering you mid manoeuvre has no choice but to pass you on the right.
But that being said, i can't see you getting marked down for leaving your indicator on during the manoeuvre.

Sunjammer

Alanstrainor wrote: »

I would tend to agree with Brian and DriveSkill on this one Sunjammer. The way i always saw it was, for one you'll indicate left when pulling in to prepare for the manoeuvre, leaving your left indicator would be misleading imo. Also the fact that you must give way to everyone when reversing would mean that regardless you'd have to stop if you encounter another motorist. Also there's the fact that any motorist encountering you mid manoeuvre has no choice but to pass you on the right.
But that being said, i can't see you getting marked down for leaving your indicator on during the manoeuvre.

Its an interesting one for sure I wonder what the traffic corps view on it would be, anyone know?.. making of a good debate though :pac::pac:

Burtchaell

Id reverse without the indicator as I think it could confuse oncoming traffic that have seen your indicator from the front and not your reverse light. About 99% of the time outside of the test you can tell where someone is reversing to anyway. House, parking space, loading bay. Sounds like it could cause more hassle if you add an indicator. Would'nt your hazard lights be more prudent???:)

Permabear

This post has been deleted.

gowayouttadat

On a completely different subject... do you need an eye test when applying for a full licence? For some reason I always had it in my head that you did but you don't according to the citizens information website.

Sunjammer

Afaik you don't because you have already submitted one for your LP so that covers your full license also

gowayouttadat

Sunjammer wrote: »

Afaik you don't because you have already submitted one for your LP so that covers your full license also

Nice one! One less thing to do. I can't find any mention of it on the application form either so I don't think you do.