Adjusting mirrors during test

Einhard

I find that the angle at which my mirrors are best directed when reversing around corners, is completely at other times. If I left my mirrors as they were once the reversing was complete, I wouldn't have a clear view when using them approaching a roundabout or whatever. I assumed that I could just change them during the test, ie before and after doing a reverse, but my father says so, and my instructor has said I should have them positioned for reversing before I take the test. What's the point in observation though, if you can't actually see anything through the mirror?

Talking about side mirrors.

pogcica

I believe you can adjust the mirrors when you like, or feel you need to during a test. for example I would say its best to adjust the mirror down when parallel parking so you can see the footpath or your own example of reversing around a corner.Just remember to to move them back to normal driving position before taking off again.

LookBehindYou

On your test,You may adjust your mirror before the reverse around a corner, then adjust it back to normal when you are finished the reverse. How else can you see the footpath ?
Just remember to also look all around too, while reversing.

woodchuck

Yes you can adjust the mirrors during the test. Just remember to readjust them after you're done reversing around the corner though!

LDC ADI 34490

LookBehindYou wrote: »

On your test,You may adjust your mirror before the reverse around a corner, then adjust it back to normal when you are finished the reverse. How else can you see the footpath ?
Just remember to also look all around too, while reversing.

This is correct advice. Your ADI is incorrect.

Padraic

Gingernuts31

Now granted I sat my test back in 2004. I was advised to set my mirrors for the corners and that before arriving to the test centre but don't have them down so much you can only see the rear wheels. I adjusted them to show me the path about a ft or 2 away from the back of the car and I could still see the rd fine in the top of the mirror. I passed too and I didn't touch the path. Just depends on if your good at judging distances or not in my opinion.

arleitiss

I can reverse around corner no probs without mirrors adjusting, but I feel it's kind of ****ty reversing, I was wondering would it get me marked? or fail?
Here is a quick image I drew:
Left is with adjusting mirrors, right is without adjusting mirrors (default position).
From A to B. Square is car.
Left is smooth with seeing kerb and well aligned, while right is bit jagged and in some places steering a bit, but I still end up in straight position. When doing EDT instructor said I am doing reversing around corners very good, so I stopped adjusting mirrors and still was good.

Would such small difference make an impact?

starlit

Absolutely no problem asking if you wish to adjust your mirrors on the test. Just be polite and ask the driving tester if you can adjust your mirrors on the test. If asking them to do it could waste time and you might not get the view you want your mirrors at suited to the kerb when trying to reverse around it.

It takes practise doing the reverse and reversing with mirrors is crucial when going around the kerb as well as constant observation around not just mirrors. Could be easily faulted for not enough observation.

I asked if I could adjust my mirrors and was no problem. They even reminded me to make sure to readjust so be sure not to forget to readjust your mirrors again. I would adjust the mirror enough to see the kerb and see the road/path and the wheel of the car. Handy to be able to see the wheel of it as you can see what point you are at. How you steer is important as well.

It took me a lot of practise to get it right and improving at the moment before sitting the test again. When steering go according what position, tail of car, where the back wheels are as its only the steering that controls the front wheels not the back wheels! The back wheels stay the same way all the time! So careful not to bump or mount! Bump is grade 2 fault, mount is a grade 3 instant fail.

Usually its a left reverse for the test. I find its handy that getting the car nearer the kerb you steer a certain amount to the left if you are too far out from the kerb, if too close to the kerb and need to get away from it in case you bump or mount it steer right a certain amount. It depends sometimes a full lock is needed or just a bit to the left then the right, left then right and so on or some its just adjusting/re-adjusting which I think only applicable for a difficult kerb.

Adjust the steering basing on how you are going around the kerb and where the back wheels are and what position the car is in.

Driving on the straight, generally you need full view what's happening on either side with your side mirrors. I usually have it a certain way so I see everything possible in the side mirrors. Some part of the side/back of car, the road, a bit of the wheel, side of road, good distance behind, see the road markings easily and that the car is following the road marking I can see how close or how far I am to the line.

And of course see what is close by or far away such as cars/pedestrians and hazards. I can see if a car is indicating or overtaking, though blindspots come in handy when cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians appear and giving parked vehicles or oncoming traffic clearance.

I noted it in a book or online the way I have my mirrors set for general driving.
For the reverse I adjust it so I see the kerb, what's behind the wheel and the wheel itself.

Here is a link to a youtube video of what really helped me with the reverse:

Plenty of other videos on youtube that help you with the reverse which I found helpful. Have a look at the ISM video's online or any other driving school that might have tutorials handy to see it and observe what's happening in the video.

Its crucial to have the mirrors though to see the kerb so you follow it exactly and taking note of what's happening in front, behind, on your sides, over your shoulders, blindspots and back window in case hazards/pedestrians/cars are oncoming.

Looking at the mirrors is crucial other wise you be almost blinded not knowing where you are without the mirrors to guide you and you could be too far out and you be marked down if you not a certain way from the kerb which is generally 18inches/45 cm. Of course the technique and the manoeuvres is important but its how you do it and everything else is just as important. Don't forget mirrors and 360 degree observation, try not to stall either!

Maintain good clutch control! Go slow! No need to indicate as your brake lights give others an idea that you are slowing down and moving.

Plenty practise with the reverse and with the mirrors to suit the reverse. Best of luck on your test!

starlit

Reverse slowly, once you reach the corner of the kerb just before going around it that is when you need to lock the wheel but be ready to do so, also if there is a pillar or a wall if its reached near the corner of the back side window over your shoulder or at the side window over your shoulder then be ready to lock especially if the pillar/wall end is at the end of where the kerb is starting/corner that's when you lock. There are certain points in the manoeuvre when you lock and when you don't or just steer a bit to the left and a bit to the right.

Straighten steering wheel and reverse straight and you be asked to stop by the tester. Practise different types of kerbs as you may be asked to reverse around any kerb. Any fall of ground give more acceleration but mainly just clutch and brake control be the main controls you use when reversing, only need acceleration to get it going and for a fall of ground/hill.

Plenty practise and good luck on your test OP!