Confusion over reverse around corner

**Timbuk2**

I have my test next week in Dundalk, but I'm confused about the reverse around the corner.

Is this order right?
1. Observations, left blindspot, mirrors, right blindspot.
2. After observations, then put it into reverse, look behind me and start moving.

Also, if I see a car coming up behind me, should I stop? Should I take it out of gear so my reversing lights don't confuse them (my instructor says that if a car stops for me when I don't have right of way, I could be marked for causing an obstruction.)

Also, do you have to stay the same distance away from the curb the whole way around? My instructor says that you can swing wide and sort of 'square' it out, as long as you end up 12-18 inches from the curb on the road you are reversing into, but I'm not sure that he's right.

Also, are you required to stop at any point during the revere around the corner and do all the observations again. Some people say just before you turn into the road, some people say 3/4 way through it.

Also, is it possible to go to walking-pace slow? I find that it's easier if you go really slow, but could the tester mark me, for lack of progress etc?

Thanks in advance.

Faith+1

Hi Timbuk2

From what I was taught is:

1. If a car approaches while you're doing a turnabout STOP. Because the car that is approaching has right of way. The car will simply overtake you and you can then continue. If you continue to move while car approaches you will be marked for observation. There is no need to take it out of reverse gear, simply clutch and handbrake because otherwise he might mark you for car controls.
I also recommend using your hazard lights when reversing as I was told to use them and I didn't get marked on my test for doing so.

2. You're instructor is bang on. You don't have to keep the exact distance from the kerb when reversing. If you get to close or far away when moving you can simply compensate with your steering. Just make sure you keep a steady speed and don't enter the opposing lane! 12-18 inches is about right, Just try to copy how close you park from the kerb.
If you tip the kerb it's a grade 2 so don't worry, Just try again. If you mount the kerb it's an instant fail .

3. When reversing don't just use your mirrors. Look over both shoulders and what's in front of you. The examiner want's to know you have a full 360 view around the car.


4. Walking pace speed is perfect. I just used the clutch to move (No accelerater) and breezed it! :cool:

The main thing is staying calm, use plenty of oberservation and move at a slow but steady speed! Good Luck!

DriveSkill

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Is this order right?
1. Observations, left blindspot, mirrors, right blindspot.
2. After observations, then put it into reverse, look behind me and start moving.

Generally speaking that is correct. Before you start you need to ensure that you take full 360 degree observation around the car which includes the front windscreen, all mirrors and both blindspots.

As you start to reverse you should be looking out the rear window. Use your left mirror occasionally to help with distance from the kerb and also scan the front windscreen, center and right mirrors. Important - as you approach the turning point but before you begin to turn the wheel you must check your right blindspot. The reason is at this point the front of the car is going to 'swing out' a little. After this point it is back to primarily looking out the rear window with occasional glances to your mirrors and windscreen as necessary.

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Also, if I see a car coming up behind me, should I stop? Should I take it out of gear so my reversing lights don't confuse them (my instructor says that if a car stops for me when I don't have right of way, I could be marked for causing an obstruction.)

Simple answer is yes. As soon as you see a car approaching you must stop - you do not have right of way. You will not be causing an obstruction as you should be close to the kerb and the maneouver will only be done where there is adequate room for traffic to pass. I would leave the car in reverse and keep your foot on the brake. This signals to the traffic appraching at you are intending to reverse but have also seen them and are currently stopped. Remember your handbrake does not light up your rear brake lights so just using the handbrake does not allow other traffic to know you have stopped. I would not use the hazard lights during the reverse - it is not necessary and in fact could be taken as misleading (you are not broken down!).

There is one case where you may have to move to avoid an obstruction. This is when the traffic approaching is actually emerging from the junction into which you are reversing. In most cases once you stop they will simply drive out around you (give them 2-3 seconds once you stop to assess what they are doing). If they do not drive around you (for example, if it was a truck, bus emerging it may not be possible for them to drive around you without being unsafe or causing an obstruction themselves) then you must move forward back to the starting position again and allow them to emerge.

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Also, do you have to stay the same distance away from the curb the whole way around? My instructor says that you can swing wide and sort of 'square' it out, as long as you end up 12-18 inches from the curb on the road you are reversing into, but I'm not sure that he's right.

The basic requirement is to keep reasonably (12-18 inches) close to the kerb and maintain a consistent distance from the kerb throughout the maneouver. However, ever corner is different - some are sharp right 90 degrees, some of more curves. The important point is you need to keep inline with the kerb but if that goes up to 24 inches at some point that is generally OK. What definitely is not OK is to end up crossing the center line of the road you are reversing into - so you cant swing well wide in the middle of the maneouver and consider it OK as long as at the end you are back within 12-18 inches of the kerb.

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Also, are you required to stop at any point during the revere around the corner and do all the observations again. Some people say just before you turn into the road, some people say 3/4 way through it.

Also, is it possible to go to walking-pace slow? I find that it's easier if you go really slow, but could the tester mark me, for lack of progress etc?

Thanks in advance.

You are not required to stop at any point except for when traffic is approaching. However, if you feel you need to stop to take proper observation into your right blind spot for example before beginning to turn the wheel that is perfectly acceptable. In general I would recommend that people try and complete the maneouver smoothly (without unnecessary stopping). Keeping the speed slow (walking pace) is definitely recommended - you will not be marked for progress if you complete it at walking pace - unless you keep stopping every 5 secs

Best advice is practice, practice, practice and good luck!

conf101

One thing that my instructor constantly reminded me of is that you are allowed to move forward once during your reverse around the corner if it's going wrong. Most people don't seem to know this and it could be of great benefit.

I didn't actually do this in my test so maybe one of the instructors on here could just confirm this!

congo_90

Faith+1 wrote: »

Hi Timbuk2

From what I was taught is:

1. If a car approaches while you're doing a turnabout STOP. Because the car that is approaching has right of way. The car will simply overtake you and you can then continue. If you continue to move while car approaches you will be marked for observation. There is no need to take it out of reverse gear, simply clutch and handbrake because otherwise he might mark you for car controls.
I also recommend using your hazard lights when reversing as I was told to use them and I didn't get marked on my test for doing so.

Your information is just about everthing I was going to post except the hazard lights. My instructor warned me against using them and rather use my left indicator to show I'm reversing and intending of turning left around the bend.

Other than that op, Faith has the right idea there for you. My best advice to you now is to go out in your own car with a friend. Find a corner and practice, practice, practice! I done this with a friend for 90 mins one night until I was consistant. A little tip is when parked. Beforre reversing. Note the position of the kerb behind you in relation to say, the rear head rest in the backseat. This makes it a hell of a lot easier when around the corner to level off and be close to the kerb!

Best of luck!

Nickibaby*

Hi Timbuk2,

I passed my test in Dundalk earlier this week and the testers are ALL lovely.

Take your time reversing around the corner keep 1 - 2 feet away from the kerb. Dont panic and take your time. I stopped when a car was coming towards me on the opposite side of the road and stopped again when a car came from behind me. I just used the break and turned around and signalled with my hand for him to go past me.

The instructers understand that you're in a test and being extra careful. Better to take your time than to end up hitting the curb and getting a grade 3!

Best of luck!

MascotDec85

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

I have my test next week in Dundalk, but I'm confused about the reverse around the corner.

Is this order right?
1. Observations, left blindspot, mirrors, right blindspot.
2. After observations, then put it into reverse, look behind me and start moving.

Also, if I see a car coming up behind me, should I stop? Should I take it out of gear so my reversing lights don't confuse them (my instructor says that if a car stops for me when I don't have right of way, I could be marked for causing an obstruction.)

Also, do you have to stay the same distance away from the curb the whole way around? My instructor says that you can swing wide and sort of 'square' it out, as long as you end up 12-18 inches from the curb on the road you are reversing into, but I'm not sure that he's right.

Also, are you required to stop at any point during the revere around the corner and do all the observations again. Some people say just before you turn into the road, some people say 3/4 way through it.

Also, is it possible to go to walking-pace slow? I find that it's easier if you go really slow, but could the tester mark me, for lack of progress etc?

Thanks in advance.

I'll not answer all your pints as they've been covered already, I'll just add in some additional info:

Prior to starting the reverse carry out a 360 degree observation starting over your right shoulder heading in an anti-clockwise direction. One additional extra observation to carry out is to lift your bum off the seat slightly whilst looking out your rear window. This is to look for small kids who may have wandered behind you after you stopped.

If you feel at any point in the test that you are about to hit the kerb you are allowed to correct it by pulling forward, just make sure you carry out the necessary moving off observations and then the reversing observations again! If you wheel brushes/glances the kerb the likelihood is that you won't be marked, so don't panic.

As for the speed. One of the aims of the reverse is to show your clutch control ability. You should control the speed of the car. To do this well the clutch does not have to come up off the biting point fully. You don't need to use the gas at all unless the road you are reversing into is uphill. Remember, slow speed, slow steering. The faster you do it the less time you'll have to correct an error!!!

Lack of progress is not an item which can be marked as such on the reverse but it can be marked under Competency. The other two sections are Observation & Right of Way. As long as you make reasonable progress round the corner, carry out the correct observations and give right of way when you should you'll be fine.

Best of luck

**Timbuk2**

Thanks everybody! Those were really detailed responses - very much appreciated!

af_thefragile

I haven't perfected this yet. But this is how I do:

1. Pull down your window (so you can hear any cars approaching before you see them) and adjust the left side mirror so I can get a good view of the kerb.
Then center mirror, right mirror, right shoulder, left shoulder, left mirror, reverse.
No accelerator, just clutch + break.

2. If you see (or hear) any car approaching, STOP. If you see any pedestrian approaching, STOP. Only move when the road is completely clear. Also important to keep checking over left and right shoulder while reversing. Like every 3-5secs have a quick look over both shoulders. No problem if what you see hasn't really registered, you just want to let the examinor know you've checked out whats around your car.

3. Keep reversing in a striaght line till you watch the Kerb turn in your left mirror. STOP.
Center mirror, right mirror, right shoulder, left shoulder and then start to turn slowly along with the Kerb. Give the car some time to respond to your steering so don't expect for the car to turn in the direction just as you turn the steering. This is very important to be aware of as you can very easily over compensate and end up too close or too far away from the kerb.

4. Turn right to move away from the Kerb.
Turn left to move closer to the kerb.

5. Keep checking left shoulder and right shoulder. Again just very quick glances. Its not important for what you see to register in your mind. Just to show the examinor. If you spend too much time staring past your left or right shoulder you could easily lose track of where your car is and end up in a tricky situation.

6. Once your car is parallel to the kerb, straighten the steering wheel.
Don't forget to keep checking left and right shoulders and observation is very important.
Then slowly go back, only clutch + break. No accelerator.
Remember, turn steering right to move away from kerb. Turn steering left to move closer to the kerb.

7. Keep going back in a straight line keeping your door handles parallel to the kerb.
Keep observing over left and right shoulder.
Keep going back till the examinor tells you to stop.

8. Break. Hand Brake. Neutral. Adjust left side mirror back to normal - VERY IMPORTANT!!

9. Examinor tells you to go. 1st Gear.
Center mirror, right mirror, right indicator, right shoulder, hand brake down, clutch out, go. Don't forget to indicate right before you move out. Its very easy to forget to do this as the examinor could sometime tell you to turn left ahead and you just end up indicating left and moving out without indicating right first...


The key is to go slow. So don't rush it.
Wait for the car to response to the steering. Don't end up overturning or over compensating the steering wheel.
I know its easier said than done. I myself am not very good at this.
But practice is the key!!

Good luck with yer test!!

Wishbone Ash

OP - bear in mind that, contrary to popular belief, the tester will not ask you to "reverse around a corner". It is simple known a the "reversing manoeuvre". You will be asked to pull into the side of a road just past a junction. You may then be asked a few questions. He will then ask you to reverse into the road you have just passed.

A reversing vehicle has no right of way and must give way to all other vehicles. Reversing lights are not a statutory requirement and therefore it is irrelevant whether the other vehicle can or can't see them.

Faith+1 wrote:

I also recommend using your hazard lights when reversing

I wouldn't! Hazard lights should only be used in a stationery vehicle.

brian076

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

OP - bear in mind that, contrary to popular belief, the tester will not ask you to "reverse around a corner". It is simple known a the "reversing manoeuvre". You will be asked to pull into the side of a road just past a junction. You may then be asked a few questions. He will then ask you to reverse into the road you have just passed.

A reversing vehicle has no right of way and must give way to all other vehicles. Reversing lights are not a statutory requirement and therefore it is irrelevant whether the other vehicle can or can't see them.

I wouldn't! Hazard lights should only be used in a stationery vehicle.

The wording and procedure the tester uses is as follows:
As you're driving along the tester will ask you to pull in and stop on the left. don't forget to check your rearview and left mirror, and signal before pulling in. He wil then say: this road on the left is the road I want you to reverse your vehicle into. drive past the road, pull in and stop on the left and I will give you further instructions.

It's very important at this point to take proper observation when pulling off again, as you may be so pre-occupied about the forthcoming reverse manoeuvre, you may forget to check mirrors and blind spot, and could get a Grade 3 fault.

You should pull in about 2 car lengths past the road, not so close to the kerb as you would when parking, about 2ft max.

The tester will then say: Reverse into the road on the left, continue reversing while its safe to do so, keeping reasonably close to the left, and I'll tell you when you've gone back far enough.

rsom

af_thefragile wrote: »

I haven't perfected this yet. But this is how I do:

1. Pull down your window (so you can hear any cars approaching before you see them) and adjust the left side mirror so I can get a good view of the kerb.
Then center mirror, right mirror, right shoulder, left shoulder, left mirror, reverse.
No accelerator, just clutch + break.

2. If you see (or hear) any car approaching, STOP. If you see any pedestrian approaching, STOP. Only move when the road is completely clear. Also important to keep checking over left and right shoulder while reversing. Like every 3-5secs have a quick look over both shoulders. No problem if what you see hasn't really registered, you just want to let the examinor know you've checked out whats around your car.

3. Keep reversing in a striaght line till you watch the Kerb turn in your left mirror. STOP.
Center mirror, right mirror, right shoulder, left shoulder and then start to turn slowly along with the Kerb. Give the car some time to respond to your steering so don't expect for the car to turn in the direction just as you turn the steering. This is very important to be aware of as you can very easily over compensate and end up too close or too far away from the kerb.

4. Turn right to move away from the Kerb.
Turn left to move closer to the kerb.

5. Keep checking left shoulder and right shoulder. Again just very quick glances. Its not important for what you see to register in your mind. Just to show the examinor. If you spend too much time staring past your left or right shoulder you could easily lose track of where your car is and end up in a tricky situation.

6. Once your car is parallel to the kerb, straighten the steering wheel.
Don't forget to keep checking left and right shoulders and observation is very important.
Then slowly go back, only clutch + break. No accelerator.
Remember, turn steering right to move away from kerb. Turn steering left to move closer to the kerb.

7. Keep going back in a straight line keeping your door handles parallel to the kerb.
Keep observing over left and right shoulder.
Keep going back till the examinor tells you to stop.

8. Break. Hand Brake. Neutral. Adjust left side mirror back to normal - VERY IMPORTANT!!

9. Examinor tells you to go. 1st Gear.
Center mirror, right mirror, right indicator, right shoulder, hand brake down, clutch out, go. Don't forget to indicate right before you move out. Its very easy to forget to do this as the examinor could sometime tell you to turn left ahead and you just end up indicating left and moving out without indicating right first...


The key is to go slow. So don't rush it.
Wait for the car to response to the steering. Don't end up overturning or over compensating the steering wheel.
I know its easier said than done. I myself am not very good at this.
But practice is the key!!

Good luck with yer test!!

No point in looking around you if you don't register what you are looking for. You are not observing just to show the examiner - you are observing to make sure it is safe for you to continue your manoeuvre, and as such registering what you are seeing is a vital part of it.

MascotDec85

rsom wrote: »

No point in looking around you if you don't register what you are looking for. You are not observing just to show the examiner - you are observing to make sure it is safe for you to continue your manoeuvre, and as such registering what you are seeing is a vital part of it.

Good point, I scanned through and missed that

DrivingTestTips: Brian

Hi OP

This will show you what has been said above, Don't forget your driving instructor will check your reverse for you and advise on any bad habits you may have so don't worry.
Look at the "How to do the Reverse Around the Corner:" video tutorial from DrivingTestTips.ie

Hope this helps