When being assessed for your driving ability on your driving test you will be expected to carry out a slow speed manoeuvre that usually will require the use of forward and reverse gears. The purpose of this article is to explain how to carry out one of those manoeuvres i.e. the left reverse.
If your examiner elects to get you to demonstrate this manoeuvre he will get you to pull up on the left before the junction he wants you to use. He will then explain that he would like you to carry out the left reverse on the junction ahead. Once you are ready you will need to carry out your all round observation starting with your left blind spot, left wing mirror, center mirror, right wing mirror and finally your right blind spot. If it is safe to go you can proceed towards the junction making sure you signal if appropriate.
On approach to the junction you will need to carry out your MSPSL routine (Mirror, Signal, Position, Speed, Look) ensuring that you signal your intention to pull up just after the junction. As you are driving slowly past the junction you will need to look into the junction to assess two things;
- Is there enough room to carry out the manoeuvre, remembering that you will need to reverse 2-3 car lengths into the junction.
- The shape of the corner so you can assess how much steer will be required to carry out the manoeuvre.
Once you have made your assessment and decided that the junction is clear and it is safe to carry out the manoeuvre you will need to pull up 2-3 car lengths past the junction on the left, reasonably close to the kerb. You should then select reverse gear and carry out your all round observation using your mirrors and blind spot checks then reverse at crawling pace back to your point of turn (your driving instructor will show you what this looks like).
You will then need to stop the car and carry out your all round observation to make sure that it is safe to continue with the manoeuvre before turning left, as the front of your car will be swinging out into the road. Make sure that you also check for any pedestrians that may be approaching the junction to cross the road behind you.
Once it is safe to proceed you should follow the line of the kerb, by looking well back into the road to judge your position. Again this should be carried out at crawling pace. You will need to stop reasonably close to the kerb and roughly 2-3 car lengths into the new road to ensure that you can position yourself correctly for a right turn.
Once you have completed the manoeuvre and the examiner gives you the next instruction make sure that you gain carry out you all round observation checking both your blind spots and all of your mirrors starting with your left blind spot.