Reversing around corner

J_R · 10-08-2019 09:55AM

Deleted User wrote: »

Just reverse wide in the test and avoid hitting the kerb. You’ll only get a grade 2 for going wide.

Assuming the rest of your driving is good, you’ll pass. And it will be the last time you’ll ever reverse around a corner.

That’s what I did.

Hi,

I sometimes gave the above advice to some of my pupils but with a slight modification. Stay on your own side of the road.

Lowering the mirror is immaterial, because for rearward observation you use the mirror in conjunction with the rear and side windows and the interior and right mirror. It would only matter if you used the mirror exclusively for your observations where you would of course fail for observations - irrespective of its position. The only problem with lowering the mirror is forgetting to restore to its proper position afterwards.

dsmythy · 10-08-2019 09:56AM

Woodsie1 wrote: »

Awh thats a shame.
Nevermind,dust yourself down and go again,just think that youre way more prepared now for the next time you try.

Maybe someone posting has better knowledge than me,can you stop and readjust the car or does it need to be all done in one manouver.
I know in the artic trucks if you mess up you can pull forward and start again,its been a long time since I did the car test.

You can restart it if you want. Have to make sure you do the necessary observations as usual as you reposition yourself. Can be easy to forget that when you're focus is on getting the reverse done.

irishgirl19 · 10-08-2019 10:29AM

dsmythy wrote:

You can restart it if you want. Have to make sure you do the necessary observations as usual as you reposition yourself. Can be easy to forget that when you're focus is on getting the reverse done.

Pity I didn't know that. I knew as I turned that I was going to mess it up but tried (and failed ha) to recover but kerbed it. At least I'll know next time that I can start again

10-08-2019 05:04PM

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Pity I didn't know that. I knew as I turned that I was going to mess it up but tried (and failed ha) to recover but kerbed it. At least I'll know next time that I can start again

Absolutely, pause, pull forwards and then continue to reverse. I did this when I knew I had turned too tightly and was going to hit the kerb. The tester told me that it was perfectly fine to do this. Just as others have said be very careful vto do full observations! That's where you'll pick up faults, being too focused on the reverse.

my3cents · 10-08-2019 05:12PM

:eek: You use mirrors to see where you are going when you reverse around a corner?

40 years since I did that maneuver on a test and was taught to look out the back window.

If you are looking in a mirror then there is a massive blind spot behind you

OR am I not understanding the OP's question?

irishgirl19 · 10-08-2019 06:00PM

Deleted User wrote:

Absolutely, pause, pull forwards and then continue to reverse. I did this when I knew I had turned too tightly and was going to hit the kerb. The tester told me that it was perfectly fine to do this. Just as others have said be very careful vto do full observations! That's where you'll pick up faults, being too focused on the reverse.

Aw raging now! I will know for next time though. It was so disheartening knowing 5-10 mins into it that I had failed. Felt like asking him could we just go back to the center

Posy · 10-08-2019 07:49PM

Never think this and give up. What you're convinced is a grade 3, could turn out to be a grade 2*, and you've just thrown the test.

*Well, within reason! :pac:

my3cents wrote: »

:eek: You use mirrors to see where you are going when you reverse around a corner?

You use the mirror for positioning around the kerb, but still look out the back window. My instructor was always warning me not to over focus on the left mirror because then you're not looking at where you're going! Like driving forwards, it's still a combination of both.

MascotDec85 · 11-08-2019 12:53AM

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Pity I didn't know that. I knew as I turned that I was going to mess it up but tried (and failed ha) to recover but kerbed it. At least I'll know next time that I can start again

Where are you based?

11-08-2019 03:24AM

irishgirl19 wrote: »

Aw raging now! I will know for next time though. It was so disheartening knowing 5-10 mins into it that I had failed. Felt like asking him could we just go back to the center

Feel for you! I passed on my third go. I know how stressful it is! I actually had 8 grade 2s on my eventual pass and three of those were me speeding through yield signs, because I was trying to not delay and get that "not progressing".

You had one grade 3. Reapply and know you can do it now!

punisher5112 · 11-08-2019 03:26AM

my3cents wrote: »

:eek: You use mirrors to see where you are going when you reverse around a corner?

40 years since I did that maneuver on a test and was taught to look out the back window.

If you are looking in a mirror then there is a massive blind spot behind you

OR am I not understanding the OP's question?

You use your mirror and look out the window and not just the rear....

Also if it helps you don't need to wear your seat belt if reversing. Only time allowed to have it off.

mikeymouse · 11-08-2019 04:02AM

Should be scrapped from the test ,
along with turning in the road(3 point turn)
Instead bring in sat-nav use,
motorway driving,
parallel parking,
changing a wheel,
I could go on.

J_R · 11-08-2019 09:41AM

mikeymouse wrote: »

Should be scrapped from the test ,
along with turning in the road(3 point turn)
Instead bring in sat-nav use,
motorway driving,
parallel parking,
changing a wheel,
I could go on.

Hi,

The real purpose of the reverse around the corner in a test is to ascertain if the applicant can safely, competently and legally reverse into a limited opening. Unfortunately it has morphed into an exercise where the entire focus is reversing around a corner for which most people appear not to see any practical use or purpose.

I had a pupil, a lady well into middle age, she had failed the test numerous times, main problem nerves and reversing. I cleared up the reversing and in the lesson before the test she did a perfect reverse. But I was afraid that in the test she would revert back to her old system of reversing which was to reverse very very slowly and continuously turn the wheel, tiny turns and all in random directions.

So, after the reverse told her, that was fantastic, well done etc, but in the test if you start making a mess of it to stop, start over;

I pointed to a house across the road and to the right and told her to pretend you have driven into this estate and you want to call into that house and park outside. so you drive in, past this road, stop, reverse into this road and drive over and park.

After the test she came out, all smiles, saying I did what you said, i did what you said. In the test she got the exact same corner, realised she was making a mess, so she started over and "did what I said" and passed. She obviously did all the necessary obs and must have stayed "reasonably close" to her side of the road

And that is the real purpose of the reverse around the corner to simply reverse safely into a road (or driveway)

along with turning in the road(3 point turn)
This is a test to see if you can control the car in a confined space. Which you use every time in traffic

Instead bring in sat-nav use,
Already on its way

motorway driving,
I think a lesson or two on a dual carriageway is enough preparation.

parallel parking,
Agree, So all driving instructors would be forced to teach this. and also emergency braking

changing a wheel,
Not really a safety issue and would be too time consuming

meathstevie · 11-08-2019 10:17AM

MascotDec85 wrote: »

The word “safely” is very important here.
With a mirror adjusted downwards it could very easy to miss another oncoming hazard, like I said earlier in the thread, that hazard could be on the footpath, and in the blind spot in the rear left corner of the car.

I reckon it’s 7 years since I’ve had a pupil failing a test for the reverse around the corner. I’m happy with the method I use and my pupil’s seem to be too

To me it's very important to use all possible methods of continuously observing the environment you're moving in. I don't see any problem with using a mirror to give you that extra angle. Your back and neck are quite flexible to look over your shoulder as well.

As I said, I'm not an instructor nor tester but I am a former UK trained emergency services driver and a driver with over one million kilometre driving experience.

irishgirl19 · 11-08-2019 10:27AM

MascotDec85 wrote:

Where are you based?

Dublin 10.

Thanks everyone I didn't want to reapply for a few weeks but I think I will just book tonight and go on normal wait list.
I have a bit of work to do re hazards too. Got 3 grade 2's for that. Tester said im taking too long to make up my mind in regards to overtaking parked trucks etc

meathstevie · 11-08-2019 10:29AM

J_R wrote: »

Hi,

The real purpose of the reverse around the corner in a test is to ascertain if the applicant can safely, competently and legally reverse into a limited opening. Unfortunately it has morphed into an exercise where the entire focus is reversing around a corner for which most people appear not to see any practical use or purpose.

I had a pupil, a lady well into middle age, she had failed the test numerous times, main problem nerves and reversing. I cleared up the reversing and in the lesson before the test she did a perfect reverse. But I was afraid that in the test she would revert back to her old system of reversing which was to reverse very very slowly and continuously turn the wheel, tiny turns and all in random directions.

So, after the reverse told her, that was fantastic, well done etc, but in the test if you start making a mess of it to stop, start over;

I pointed to a house across the road and to the right and told her to pretend you have driven into this estate and you want to call into that house and park outside. so you drive in, past this road, stop, reverse into this road and drive over and park.

After the test she came out, all smiles, saying I did what you said, i did what you said. In the test she got the exact same corner, realised she was making a mess, so she started over and "did what I said" and passed. She obviously did all the necessary obs and must have stayed "reasonably close" to her side of the road

And that is the real purpose of the reverse around the corner to simply reverse safely into a road (or driveway)

along with turning in the road(3 point turn)
This is a test to see if you can control the car in a confined space. Which you use every time in traffic

Instead bring in sat-nav use,
Already on its way

motorway driving,
I think a lesson or two on a dual carriageway is enough preparation.

parallel parking,
Agree, So all driving instructors would be forced to teach this. and also emergency braking

changing a wheel,
Not really a safety issue and would be too time consuming

There's a lot to be said for how a lot of continental countries do the manoeuvring components of the driving test.

In a closed environment with standardised layouts.

I remember doing my initial B category test in Belgium back in the stone age and before you go out on the road for the actual driving test you had to do a number of set manoeuvres, if memory serves me right a 10m straight reverse, reverse parking with car length plus one metre as available space, a three point turn with again car length plus one metre as available space and a reverse in and drive out car park type scenario. You were allowed one booboo, any more and you failed and didn't even get to do the public road part of the test.

All was done in a closed car park type environment adjacent to the test center and for every component you were allowed a certain amount of space on top of your car's dimensions and the boundaries were marked with moveable fences and or cones.

GrumpyMe · 20-08-2019 08:24PM

When I did my first test the tester put the wind up me by asking me to stop on Kinvara Avenue just short of Kinvara Park. Then he pointed to the right turn and asked me "...when you are ready, to reverse into that road on the right". I was in a rigid truck and had never practised nor dreamt of reversing into a right hand turn.
As said above

J_R wrote: »

...And that is the real purpose of the reverse around the corner to simply reverse safely into a road (or driveway)...

I remembered my instructor's words that you can't be failed if you do things safely, confidentially and competently.
So, going for broke, obs, mirrors, indicators, and moved onto wrong side of the road beyond the junction, obs, mirrors, indicators reversed around to the right, finishing on Kinvara Park close to the left footpath and waited for the next instruction.

Passed the test and in one fell swoop filled all >= four wheeled categories of my driving licence.

posy2010 · 21-08-2019 10:03AM

I failed twice on reversing around corner. I finally passed last week. All you can do is practice - I did it constantly. Now I never have to do again thankfully!

irishgirl19 · 21-08-2019 09:30PM

posy2010 wrote: »

I failed twice on reversing around corner. I finally passed last week. All you can do is practice - I did it constantly. Now I never have to do again thankfully!

Thanks. Its such a hard thing to fail on. I can do it OK practicing but under pressure of the tester is a different story.
Glad you passed! How many times have you had to reverse around the corner since

?

punisher5112 · 21-08-2019 10:38PM

Parallel parking should be part of the test to be honest....

If you can grasp the idea of where to be and when to turn it's not too difficult....

Obviously practice practice practice.

my3cents · 21-08-2019 11:21PM

punisher5112 wrote: »

Parallel parking should be part of the test to be honest....

If you can grasp the idea of where to be and when to turn it's not too difficult....

Obviously practice practice practice.

Parking between two white lines should be part of the test looking by a lot of the parking I see.

But where do we stop? I'm not sure how you would test parallel parking unless their is going to be an area set aside for it. Its hard to parallel park between imaginary parked cars.

punisher5112 · 21-08-2019 11:31PM

my3cents wrote: »

Parking between two white lines should be part of the test looking by a lot of the parking I see.

But where do we stop? I'm not sure how you would test parallel parking unless their is going to be an area set aside for it. Its hard to parallel park between imaginary parked cars.

Test centre could easily have a space with 2 scrap motors to park between.... It's a skill which needs to be taught like looking for obstacles and pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles etc.... Most people just look through those above a d only see the car, van or truck.

LorelaiG · 22-08-2019 11:28AM

punisher5112 wrote: »

Test centre could easily have a space with 2 scrap motors to park between.... It's a skill which needs to be taught like looking for obstacles and pedestrians, cyclists and motorcycles etc.... Most people just look through those above a d only see the car, van or truck.

Doesn't even need two scrap motors, some of those bendable bollards would be better.

my3cents · 22-08-2019 11:47AM

LorelaiG wrote: »

Doesn't even need two scrap motors, some of those bendable bollards would be better.

So the test is now going to involve a tester having to get out of the car and move bollards around? Where are they going to be stored and who will make sure they don't go missing between tests or is the tester going to have to get out and get them and place them on the road every time then put them away again. All the testing is done on the road and there is no off road place near my test centre that could by used.

I'm not saying parallel parking shouldn't be tested but I can see why it isn't.

LorelaiG · 22-08-2019 11:59AM

my3cents wrote: »

So the test is now going to involve a tester having to get out of the car and move bollards around? Where are they going to be stored and who will make sure they don't go missing between tests or is the tester going to have to get out and get them and place them on the road every time then put them away again. All the testing is done on the road and there is no off road place near my test centre that could by used.

I'm not saying parallel parking shouldn't be tested but I can see why it isn't.

Something like this. Set out at each test centre, nobody has to remove them each time can be done for parralel parking and forward or reverse bay parking.

my3cents · 22-08-2019 12:27PM

LorelaiG wrote: »

Something like this. Set out at each test centre, nobody has to remove them each time can be done for parralel parking and forward or reverse bay parking.

But the test centers don't own the road or any parking places. This would have to be done in cooperation with the local councils and not all test centers are in locations that can take over a parking spaces in an area that is safe.

Reversing around a corner is easy to set up because you can go out to some estate with little traffic and plenty of visibility. Most test centers are in the center of towns where a learner stopping to parallel park isn't going to get a fair chance with other drivers around.

MascotDec85 · 23-08-2019 07:21AM

my3cents wrote: »

Parking between two white lines should be part of the test looking by a lot of the parking I see.

But where do we stop? I'm not sure how you would test parallel parking unless their is going to be an area set aside for it. Its hard to parallel park between imaginary parked cars.

I had to do it to pass my UK test in ‘93. I also had to do it here to pass my ADI Part 2 in 2009. The tester finds a suitable location along a road on a test route, it’s very simple.

Reversing around corner

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