Top Test Tips
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Reverse to the left
Trying to Reverse round a corner without proper instruction can be difficult. We regularly meet pupils who have left other driving schools because they have hit a sticking point on this maneuver.
We have provided some of our top test driving tips on reverse to the left below.
The examiner will ask you to pull up on the left just before a minor road on the left. Once you have pulled up he/she will say “I would like you to drive passed the road on the left and then stop. Reverse back into the minor road, staying reasonably close to the kerb for some reasonable distance, doog it with due regard and safety for other road users.”
The scenario: You may be asked to do this maneuver on a level, uphill or down hill. Usually the road will be reasonably quite in a built up area.
How to do the reverse to the left:
1. Start the POM routine. Into 1st gear and find your biting point, then all round observations and the begin to drive passed the road on the left if clear and safe to do so.
2. As you drive passed the road on the left, have a look into it. Look for any potential problems, like parked cars, rubbish in the road, children playing in the street etc. Assuming the road is safe to do the reverse to the left maneuver then look at the corner. Is it a gradual bend, sharp bend or curly bend? this may help you when you start reversing towards the corner.
3. Once you have drove passed the junction, try to stop roughly 3 cars away from the corner. Check your mirror/s on the approach and then apply a signal to pull up. Don’t stop too far away from the corner if you can help it.
4.Once you have stopped, put it into reverse gear so your reverse light shows and then cancel your signal.
5. Your now ready to start the reverse to the left maneuver. Start the POM routine and if it is safe, release the handbrake and begin to reverse back very sowly towards the corner.
6. You should be predominately looking over your left shoulder when reversing around a corner, but don’t forget to look ahead for oncoming vehicles. Check your left door mirror for updates on where the kerb is and once you can see the car about to pass the corner, then stop the vehicle. This is your point of turn.
7. Before you start turning the steering wheel, it is important that you look all around you first, this is also known as a 360 observation. Once you have identified it is clear and safe, then turn the steering wheel 1 full turn to the left, whilst the car is moving very slowly.
8. Your vehicle should begin to arc around the corner, remember, it is important you remain a drain width from the kerb throughout the maneuver. In the event you are becoming more than a drain width away from the corner, then you will need to turn the steering wheel more to the left. If your vehicle is becoming less than a drain width from the kerb, then you will need to turn the wheel to the right.
9.Through reversing around the corner, you should keep scanning all around you. If a vehicle is approaching you- try to assess will your maneuvering have any effect on the oncoming vehicle, if yes or your not quite sure, make sure you stop. When the vehicle has passed then proceed with the rest of the maneuver.
10.As you vehicle starts to come round the corner get ready to straighten up, occasional glances in your door mirror will enable you to judge when your car looks parallel with the kerb. When you see your car is straight with the kerb- Straighten up. Remember avoid dry steering and don’t forget to keep your observations up. Scanning all around you.
11.To finish the reverse to the left maneuver off, you should continue to reverse back for 3 car lengths and look to stop and secure the car in a safe place. So try to avoid blocking driveways or double parking. The examiner may ask you to stop reversing, if he/she does this, then just stop and secure the car they are happy with what they have seen and what you to drive on again.
12. In the event a vehicle turns up whilst you are doing the reverse around the corner part, you should stop and make eye contact with them. If they continue to wait behind you, then you will have to return back to your original start position and re-start the whole maneuver.
Trying to Reverse round a corner without proper instruction can be difficult. We regularly meet pupils who have left other driving schools because they have hit a sticking point on this maneuver.
We have provided some of our top test driving tips on reverse to the left below.
The examiner will ask you to pull up on the left just before a minor road on the left. Once you have pulled up he/she will say “I would like you to drive passed the road on the left and then stop. Reverse back into the minor road, staying reasonably close to the kerb for some reasonable distance, doog it with due regard and safety for other road users.”
The scenario: You may be asked to do this maneuver on a level, uphill or down hill. Usually the road will be reasonably quite in a built up area.
How to do the reverse to the left:
1. Start the POM routine. Into 1st gear and find your biting point, then all round observations and the begin to drive passed the road on the left if clear and safe to do so.
2. As you drive passed the road on the left, have a look into it. Look for any potential problems, like parked cars, rubbish in the road, children playing in the street etc. Assuming the road is safe to do the reverse to the left maneuver then look at the corner. Is it a gradual bend, sharp bend or curly bend? this may help you when you start reversing towards the corner.
3. Once you have drove passed the junction, try to stop roughly 3 cars away from the corner. Check your mirror/s on the approach and then apply a signal to pull up. Don’t stop too far away from the corner if you can help it.
4.Once you have stopped, put it into reverse gear so your reverse light shows and then cancel your signal.
5. Your now ready to start the reverse to the left maneuver. Start the POM routine and if it is safe, release the handbrake and begin to reverse back very sowly towards the corner.
6. You should be predominately looking over your left shoulder when reversing around a corner, but don’t forget to look ahead for oncoming vehicles. Check your left door mirror for updates on where the kerb is and once you can see the car about to pass the corner, then stop the vehicle. This is your point of turn.
7. Before you start turning the steering wheel, it is important that you look all around you first, this is also known as a 360 observation. Once you have identified it is clear and safe, then turn the steering wheel 1 full turn to the left, whilst the car is moving very slowly.
8. Your vehicle should begin to arc around the corner, remember, it is important you remain a drain width from the kerb throughout the maneuver. In the event you are becoming more than a drain width away from the corner, then you will need to turn the steering wheel more to the left. If your vehicle is becoming less than a drain width from the kerb, then you will need to turn the wheel to the right.
9.Through reversing around the corner, you should keep scanning all around you. If a vehicle is approaching you- try to assess will your maneuvering have any effect on the oncoming vehicle, if yes or your not quite sure, make sure you stop. When the vehicle has passed then proceed with the rest of the maneuver.
10.As you vehicle starts to come round the corner get ready to straighten up, occasional glances in your door mirror will enable you to judge when your car looks parallel with the kerb. When you see your car is straight with the kerb- Straighten up. Remember avoid dry steering and don’t forget to keep your observations up. Scanning all around you.
11.To finish the reverse to the left maneuver off, you should continue to reverse back for 3 car lengths and look to stop and secure the car in a safe place. So try to avoid blocking driveways or double parking. The examiner may ask you to stop reversing, if he/she does this, then just stop and secure the car they are happy with what they have seen and what you to drive on again.
12. In the event a vehicle turns up whilst you are doing the reverse around the corner part, you should stop and make eye contact with them. If they continue to wait behind you, then you will have to return back to your original start position and re-start the whole maneuver.
Hollie Pardue
- Passed 1st time with only 4 minors, within 3 weeks of her 17th birthday. “I lacked motivation at times, but Anthony seemed to get into my head and motivate me with his high standards”.
| Hollie Pardue |
- Passed 1st time with only 4 minors, within 3 weeks of her 17th birthday. “I lacked motivation at times, but Anthony seemed to get into my head and motivate me with his high standards”.
