Reverse around corner - recent tests

Rosstopher

I’ve heard that some testers are choosing to leave the car to observe the reversing around the corner manoeuvre, due to avoiding close contact with the candidates as they look over their left shoulder considerably etc.

Can people who’ve taken a recent test confirm this?

I know it shouldn’t make too much difference, but I feel like it would personally change my thoughts on doing this at the time and would be worth keeping in mind. Maybe slightly less pressure in some areas (observing more freely), and more pressure in other areas (feeling under more time pressure with them standing outside)?

liamog

Wouldn't that leave the learner driver in an awkward position legally, you can't drive the car without a licenced driver present, so by rights you can't perform the reverse without the tester in the car.

davetherave

liamog wrote: »

Wouldn't that leave the learner driver in an awkward position legally, you can't drive the car without a licenced driver present, so by rights you can't perform the reverse without the tester in the car.

For portion of the BE test the tester can leave the vehicle to best observe the driver and the traffic position. They'd be the same licence-wise but it's in the handbook. The same for the C1, C, D1, D, C1E, D1E, CE, DE.

Before the practical test commences the applicant is given a choice of performing a left or right hand reverse – one reverse only to be conducted. For the reverse, the tester must leave the vehicle and take up a position where the driver and the traffic situation can be observed to best effect.
Testers should retain possession of their tablet at all times.

cherryghost

I had my test on Thursday just gone, and the tester got out of my car when I was doing to the reverse manuovre, to my surprise

Rosstopher

cherryghost wrote: »

I had my test on Thursday just gone, and the tester got out of my car when I was doing to the reverse manuovre, to my surprise

Interesting. Could definitely see it throwing someone off if they weren’t expecting it. Did you find it made you feel any more uncomfortable (or the opposite) about the manoeuvre?

cherryghost

Rosstopher wrote: »

Interesting. Could definitely see it throwing someone off if they weren’t expecting it. Did you find it made you feel any more uncomfortable (or the opposite) about the manoeuvre?

It was a little bit. I was sure he couldn't have properly watched my observations. But the reverse was a little uncomfortable already as he made me pull up to another learner that looked like was a lesson in progress, and do the reverse behind him (and I was much less than 5m to the corner now at that point because of the other car).

Anyway the kerb was high, he definitely didnt see my full observations. When he got out was very surprised and thrown off a little.

davetherave wrote: »

For portion of the BE test the tester can leave the vehicle to best observe the driver and the traffic position. They'd be the same licence-wise but it's in the handbook. The same for the C1, C, D1, D, C1E, D1E, CE, DE.

Before the practical test commences the applicant is given a choice of performing a left or right hand reverse – one reverse only to be conducted. For the reverse, the tester must leave the vehicle and take up a position where the driver and the traffic situation can be observed to best effect.
Testers should retain possession of their tablet at all times.

Was never given an option to pick where to reverse and what side. Never heard of that being a thing tbh

MascotDec85

It’s now policy they get out of the car during the reverse. They’ll only stay in the car if they’re concerned about the pupils control of it.

meathstevie

MascotDec85 wrote: »

It’s now policy they get out of the car during the reverse. They’ll only stay in the car if they’re concerned about the pupils control of it.

You can take that as an indication of how your test is going and cautiously treat it as a source of comfort.

meathstevie

MascotDec85 wrote: »

It’s now policy they get out of the car during the reverse. They’ll only stay in the car if they’re concerned about the pupils control of it.

You can take that as an indication of how your test is going and cautiously treat it as a source of comfort.

shezzaholmes

Would you say the tester being out of the car makes it easier to use a reversing camera (more than you would if the tester was in the car with you)?

QJJQJDE

shezzaholmes wrote: »

Would you say the tester being out of the car makes it easier to use a reversing camera (more than you would if the tester was in the car with you)?

For the sake of not racking up grades, you should try to do it the proper way without the reversing camera, proper observations all around and all the mirrors. Good practice too

cherryghost

shezzaholmes wrote: »

Would you say the tester being out of the car makes it easier to use a reversing camera (more than you would if the tester was in the car with you)?

I used the reversing camera to confirm kerb alignment at the end, but of course checked behind and the other usual observations first and foremost

capefear

I was told that its better to use your wing mirrors instead of looking over your shoulder for the reverse around corner and also that you cant use reverse cameras on the day of the test. Is that correct?

shezzaholmes

While it may be better to use wing mirrors, it’s pretty much expected that you will look over your shoulder for a good portion of the reverse manoeuvre. Dane Tyghe has some good videos on the reverse and exact steering movements which I find very helpful!
AFAIK, there’s no explicit rule that you must disable or turn off your reversing camera - in the test you must simply perform the manoeuvre as though you don’t have the camera. My question is, would this new covid rule make it easier to take a few looks at the camera while reversing? You would just look to the examiner that you’re checking your mirrors

MascotDec85

shezzaholmes wrote: »

Would you say the tester being out of the car makes it easier to use a reversing camera (more than you would if the tester was in the car with you)?

The tester will be watching you from the footpath. Observe properly as if they were sat beside you.

MascotDec85

The reversing camera may be used on test as it’s designed, as an aid. It’s not there to replace the traditional observations

shezzaholmes

Thank you for the condescending advice almighty dec, lest we try to make the money racket test a little easier to pass after paying €80 and waiting months for the privilege of sitting it :rolleyes:
(Hi to anyone reading this before this comment is removed/I am banned)

MascotDec85

shezzaholmes wrote: »

Thank you for the condescending advice almighty dec, lest we try to make the money racket test a little easier to pass after paying €80 and waiting months for the privilege of sitting it :rolleyes:
(Hi to anyone reading this before this comment is removed/I am banned)

I wasn’t being condescending. It was a straight forward, unambiguous piece of advice. Maybe if you take the chip off your shoulder and take the advice on board it’ll stand you in good stead when you do get to sit it.

Dravokivich

capefear wrote: »

I was told that its better to use your wing mirrors instead of looking over your shoulder for the reverse around corner and also that you cant use reverse cameras on the day of the test. Is that correct?

That'll only show some things that are beside you. You need to look out the rear window to see what's behind you.

scottigael

I had a test last week tester done this to me - be wary lads when the tester got back into the car he said take first exit left but he didn't have his seat belt on, I said I'll wait till you put the belt on and he gave me a little grin, said later on test centre it would have been a fault if I'd driven off without making sure his belt was on.

wp_rathead

scottigael wrote: »

I had a test last week tester done this to me - be wary lads when the tester got back into the car he said take first exit left but he didn't have his seat belt on, I said I'll wait till you put the belt on and he gave me a little grin, said later on test centre it would have been a fault if I'd driven off without making sure his belt was on.

Did he not have a mask on?

J_R

wp_rathead wrote: »

Did he not have a mask on?

Hi,

Obviously saw it in his eyes.

But driving instructors and examiners are exempt from wearing seat belts during lessons/tests.