Tips For Executing the Reverse Around a Corner

Of the three manoeuvres that you will be expected to be able to execute consistently by the time you are ready to take your test, the reverse around a corner offers the most unique challenge. It requires you to keep the car in line with the curb at all times, while also executing a turn that has the potential to befuddle those who aren’t used to reversing.

On top of all that, you need to exercise excellent clutch control to keep the car moving at the correct speed. Go too fast and you run the risk of overshooting and having to either correct the car or, in the worst case, clipping the curb or reversing onto the other side of the road.

To help you avoid that, we have put a few tips together that should help you get it right.

Take It Slow

The first and most important tip for reversing around the corner is to take it slow. Testers are not looking for you to execute the reverse around the corner as quickly as possible. If anything that is unsafe as it shows you don’t have full control of the car. Instead, take a breath and remember the steps. Get the car in gear, conduct your observations, release the handbrake and start creeping backward. Keep doing your observations as you go and keep a foot over the brake so you can slow things down again.

The Turn

Knowing when to start the turn is just as important. Most driving instructors will mention the reference point in your side mirror for this. It is the moment the corner of the curb begins to disappear from view in the mirror. As this happens, execute a full turn to the left and keep going slowly. Continue your observations and, as the back wheel starts closing in on the curb again, do a three-quarter turn of the wheel to the right.

At this point, you need to make sure you check your blind spot on the right side to confirm there is no oncoming traffic. If there is, you may need to stop if the vehicle doesn’t stop for you.

Keep crawling backward and you will notice you start pulling away from the curb again. Bring the wheel back three-quarters to the left so you have a full turn again and crawl back.

At the point where the car straightens up, take that full turn off and then slowly reverse, making sure to check you back window alongside your mirrors and front window.

You should end up about a drains width from the curb, with the car straight and about four car widths from the junction. Bring the car to a stop, apply the handbrake and put it into neutral.

Additional Tips

• Observations are crucial. Don’t fall into the trap of staring at the mirror. Try to check the front or back window every 3-4 seconds.
• Having to readjust if you don’t get it perfect is fine. Just keep it slow and make sure you don’t clip the curb or go onto the wrong side of the road.
• Keep calm. The more stressed you are, the less likely you are to succeed.
• Finally, don’t beat yourself up if you don’t get it right the first time. It’s actually quite rare.