Reverse Round A Corner:

Reverse around a corner:

The reverse round a corner is the least popular manoeuvre out of all the manoeuvres. Leaner drivers find this exercise to be difficult due to a number of reasons. For example, due to the fact that every corner is different and there is no set amount of steering that a instructor can advise, one needs to steer as much as needed depending on the corner using your own judgement.

In your practical driving test you need to make sure that you can do this manoeuvre under full control, with due regard for other road users taking effective all round observations. During your practical driving test your examiner will ask you to pull up just before a side road on the left and point out the side road and ask you to reverse into it.

Once you understand what is required from you, you can perform this manoeuvre with easy. Start the manoeuvre by driving past the selected side road, checking for any obstructions such as parked cars or any children playing that could make your manoeuvre unsafe. Also don’t forget to look at the corner, this will allow you to judge how sharp or swallow the corner is.

Use the MSM (mirror signal manoeuvre) routine pull up about two car length from the corner and don’t forget to only signal left after you have passed the road, remember that the sharper the corner the further out you will need to be. Once stopped apply the handbrake and select neutral. Turn slightly into your seat, this allows you control the car more easy. Also you may remove your seatbelt if you feel restricted but REMEMBER you MUST put it back on before you drive off.

Select reverse gear and set the gas to a steady hum then bring the clutch pedal to the biting point and make an around observation. Keep the clutch pedal near the biting point lowering it as required depending on the incline or decline of the road. Try to keep the car moving very slowly (say an old person walking pace) this can be achieved with tight clutch control.

Remember as the car moves slowly backwards keep looking out of the rear window and as you see the edge of the kerb disappear from your left wing mirror; pause for a moment to have a look around for other road users as at this point the front of your car will begin to swing out into the road, this can potentially be the greatest hazard to other road users. Leave the right blind spot to last before you move again. If there are other road users wait until they pass as you should not cause them to slow down, stop or swerve before you complete your turn around the corner itself.

As a general guide you should be able to follow the kerb as it disappears from view in the back window and reappears in the side window. The amount of steering required will depends on how sharp the corner is.

If you see that there is a car coming from the road you are turning into, start by stopping the manoeuvre, let them make the decision to proceed or wait. If the other car decides to go wait until they have passed you or if they decide to wait behind you there may be little choice other than to go back round to your starting position..

Keep checking all around as you complete the manoeuvre, keep steering to the left until you see that the car has straight in the new road. Keep looking well down the road through the middle of the rear window. This will help you judge whether the car is parallel with the kerb. Glance in your nearside door mirror before you stop to check you are happy with your finish position.

Make sure you finish your reverse in a safe place about 2 to 3 car lengths from the junction to allow other road users to use it safely.

Remember:

Keep on the lookout all the time for other road users particularly pedestrians about to cross behind your car and vehicles approaching from any direction. If a pedestrian is walking near the junction stop and wait for them to reach safety on the other side before you continue moving.