Driving Demonstration
Steering in reverse (manual)
Steering in reverse is a great way to build confidence. It’s the starting block to backing out of an angle park or reverse parallel parking.
Where should you practise this?
Start in a quiet space, like an empty carpark, until you get the hang of it and are ready for public roads.
Before you start reversing
- Check to make sure there are no children or pets around your car before you get in.
- When you’re in your car, check behind you for any hazards.
- Follow the clutch-gear-mirrors routine:
- Press clutch in fully.
- Put car into reverse gear.
- Check mirrors and blind spots.
- Turn your body to the left and look out your rear window (if you’re not using a reversing camera).
Starting to reverse
- Ease the clutch out until you feel it ‘bite’ – hold it there to avoid stalling.
- Gently press on the accelerator and ease the clutch out the rest of the way.
- Keep your eyes high – look where you want to go, not just right out the back window.
- Keep a watch for hazards – check in blind spots, side mirrors and side windows.
- When you’re a car length from where you want to stop, push the clutch right in and press the brake smoothly.
- Follow the stopping routine.
Tips for practising steering in reverse
- Mark a space with cones or plastic bottles. Use it to practise backing into a narrow space (without putting any other cars at risk!).
- Start by reversing in a straight line until you’re comfortable.
- Next try adding a 90 degrees turn to the left and right, like you’d need to do when reversing into a driveway for example.
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