Reverse on the right hand side of the road.
Introduction.
December 4th 2017 had big changes to the (B) driving test as the DVSA took out the left and right reverse around the corners and the turn in the road exercise and replaced it with driving into a baying bay and park on the right hand side of the road and reverse back 2/3 car lengths (Not forgetting the sat nav drive).
Your instructor may still cover the left/right reverse around the corners and the turn in the road just in case you ever go the wrong way on your test (or in life once you have passed your test) as you will need to know how to turn your vehicle around.
Once you have covered reversing in a straight line on the left hand side of the road you will then cover the next exercise "pull up on the right hand side of the road and reverse back 3/4 car lengths".
This is a new exercise (started in 2017) and believe it or not you will probably use exercise a lot once you have passed your driving test. You would use it if you want to park on the opposite side of the road you are already driving on.
There is not always a parking space on the left hand side of the road so using a safe, legal and convent space on the right hand side of the road would be a practical option.
This exercise is about using forward and revere gears while observing and stopping for vehicles coming towards you.
Like all manoeuvres around observations and clutch control is very important on these reversing exercises.
Teaching Strategy
Your instructor will give you as much support as you need on previous lessons covered on the way to the training location i.e. … P.O.M cockpit drill, gear changes, the hand and foot controls, Hazard and L.A.D.A routines, open/closed junctions, roundabouts and traffic systems.
Then at the training location your instructor will brief you on the reverse manoeuvre then on the first attempt give you full talk through then reducing to either prompt or independent as you improve.
(manoeuvres are not always taught in order).
Lesson aims
This is one of the new manoeuvres that has been introduced to the driving test, once briefed you then you can practice this manoeuvre using clutch control while reversing slowly and working on your all round awareness.
During this lesson you will be assessed on your general drive to and from the training location and will be giving you as much support as you need to improve your driving skills, you will also get a better understand of the biting point/clutch control while reversing and observing out of the rear window and the proper effectiveness of the use of mirrors.
Objective
Your objective will to be as independent as possible and by the end of your lesson be able to understand the reference points on this exercise while reversing so you can complete the manoeuvre with little or no help from your instructor.
Lesson brief
Today’s lesson we will be learning how to park up on the right hand side of the road and reverse in a straight line.
- When planning to park on to the right hand side of the road make sure it’s a safe, legal and convenient location.
- Try to position your car parallel to the right hand curb.
Ensure it’s free from obstructions and no debris on the road as you don’t want to get a puncher.
Use of your Steering wheel
When pulling up on right hand side of the road move your steering wheel slowly and guide your vehicle to the right hand side of the road and close to the curb.
Once you are asked to drive onto the right hand side of the road
Once you have been asked to park up on the right hand side of the road you will be faced with three situations before you can go across safely:-
1. There could be oncoming vehicle coming towards you, so you will have to slow down and stop next to the white centre line (once it is clear continue to park on the right hand side of the road).
2. There could be a couple of vehicles coming towards you so you will have to modify your speed to allow the vehicles to get past you.
3. There's no vehicles approaching you so you can steadily drive onto the right hand side of the road and then make the car safe.
This will be no different then turning right or even overtaking a parked vehicle so you already have this knowledge and skill.
Signal your intentions clearly
Always use the M.S.M/L.A.D.A routines and make your intentions are clearly known (signal with your indicators).
Slow down using your brakes (brake lights) so other pedestrians/road users know your intension.
Slow down and stop on the right hand side of the road.
Position on the right hand side of the road
Park about 12" (30cms/drain width) from the curb.
Apply your hand brake then get ready to reverse.
Extra information
Seating position/use of seat belt
By law you are allowed to remove your seatbelt, however it’s not practical as you could forget to put it back on before you drive on or even if you need to abandon your manoeuvre because a vehicle has come to close behind you. You will always need to put your seatbelt back on before you drive forward.
Releasing your seatbelt can help, however if you shuffle around in your seat you can look through the rear window by looking over your left shoulder a lot easier.
Camber of the road
Most roads do have cambers however it should not be a problem on this reverse manoeuvre.
Beginning the reverse manoeuvre
P.O.M.
Prepare
- Clutch down, reverse gear (& set the gas if the vehicle needs it).
Selecting reverse gear activates your reverse lights this allows traffic know you are reversing.
Observations
Reverse the 6 point check, Observe from your right shoulder to the left shoulder, so you’re looking the correct way (over your left shoulder) once you start to reverse.
Now you are ready to reverse backwards a few car lengths.
Move
When no vehicles are driving towards you (front the end of your vehicle).
Stopping for vehicles
If you need stop squeese your brake pedal this will acctivate your brake lights to warn vehicle if they are behind you of your intensions.
When to give-way to on coming vehicles!
When vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians are coming towards you:-
1. When motor vehicles are coming towards you STOP then it is roughly
6 car lengths from you.2. When Cyclists are coming towards you STOP then it is roughly
3 car lengths from you.3. When Pedestrians are coming towards you STOP then it is roughly 1.5 car lengths
from you.Always stop and wait when vehicles appear to your front end of your vehicle (they are on the same side of the road as you).
Apply your foot brake and stop while they go past you.
Particularly watch for pedestrians or children on bikes crossing to your rear, again you need to give way and wait.
If you’re revering crossing a driveway, watch for road users emerging from or wanting to turn into the driveway.
Throughout this manoeuvre if vehicles park in front or behind you while you are reversing your instructor/examiner will help you drive off safely.
Because you are on the opposite side of the road the main awareness is on Vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists on the right hand side of you that are coming towards you.
The vehicles coming toward you will NOT
know you are your reversing so you will need to stop while they pass you as they could be close to your cars wing mirror, also they will not be expecting you to be revering.
While reversing you would usually hold the steering wheel with the right hand at the 12 o’clock position and optionally the left hand at the 6/7 o’clock position (this will help you to maintain a straight line).
Parked up on the right using a reference point in the front window
For peace of mind when you park up to start with put the curb in the front windscreen roughly at the start of your windscreen wipers.
Below diagram.
Mirrors and observations while reversing
(so accurate and keeping close to the curb)
1. The curb will be roughly be a 1/4 across the O/S head restraint (picture below).
2. In the off side door mirror you may have two views.
The main wing mirror so you can see how far you are from the curb.
Also you may have a small blind spot mirror that’s helpful.
All round observations
While reversing you should be taking observations through the rear window of your vehicle (i.e. the direction you are traveling). Using clutch control and taking all round observations to the front and the sides of your vehicle every car length you go backwards.
The off side door mirror may also be useful for checking the position of the vehicle in relation to the curb.
Take all round observations of your vehicle at all times, so every car length you travel backwards look all around.
Clutch control
All the set manoeuvres should be undertaken at a very slow speed by using slow clutch control by moving your clutch a £1 thickness up and down from your biting point.
Reversing
Once you have reversed back 2 to 3 car lengths the exercise will be completed.
The instructor/examiner will thank you and to drive on.
Once you have reversed back the required 2/3 car lengths you will now be asked to drive on in to traffic.
Making the car safe
Apply your hand break and put gear into neutral.
Point 9
Prepare your vehicle to move forward (P.O.M).
Prepare
- with 1st gear.
Observations - 6 point check so go from your right shoulder to the left shoulder.
Move - when no vehicles, cyclist and pedestrians are driving towards you.
Once the road is clear ahead and behind consider a left indicator (many times pedestrians have walk out in front of me in this situation).
Then drive to the left hand side of the road look over your left should in case of you have missed and thing.
Joining the traffic
Remember never sit with a left indicator in busy road traffic as it could be distracting to other drivers.
Only signal for pedestrians and cyclists as they could walk or cycle in front of you as they will not know you are driving off.
Always wait until it's clear and then make progress.
Reflect & Review
So remember your instructor is there to HELP you so on your driving lesson if you have any uncertainties or need anything rewording or recapping to make things any clearer, just ask.
Your training Vehicle is fitted with dual Controls and if necessary could be used throughout your lesson if needed. These are here for your safety so we can step in to keep you safe.
So don’t worry if the issues arise we will aid & guide you VIRBALLY or PHYSICALLY and we can go over the situation if happens to correct if in the future.
Risk management
Physical control of your vehicle
The aim is for you the student to have full control of this lesson with previous lessons and have full talk through on the new topic and then reducing the support throughout you decision making as best you can.
Your instructor’s job is to analyse any faults or new faults that may accrue in this lesson and put them right.
Talk about any issues if the situations happen on the driving lesson and put issues right.
Fault identification.
Fault analysis.
Remedial action.
Level of instruction on your lesson
- Full talk through.
- Prompt.
- Independent.
End of lesson
- Feed back at the end of your lesson.
- Student’s responsibility of lesson and improvements.
- Plan for the next lesson.
