Reverse to the Left / Left Corner Reverse
The Reverse to the Left / Left Corner Reverse Manoeuvre is one that you might be expected to perform on test
Being able to perform the Reverse to the Left / Left Corner Reverse in the prescribed manner shows a high degree of skill in the fields of control and observation.
It will probably be a relief when your instructor says that you have reached the required standard for the reverse to the left / Left Corner Reverse manoeuvre. It usually is!
The reverse to the left / Left Corner Reverse manoeuvre is the one that pupils usually like the least. I do understand that you might hear horror stories from friends about the reverse to the left manoeuvre but to be honest, as long as you remember the basics, with a little practice it is not that hard.
Reverse to the Left / Left Corner Reverse
The Aim of the Reverse to the Left / Left Corner Reverse manoeuvre
The aim of the reverse to the left / left corner reverse manoeuvre is that if you realise that you are going the wrong way down a road and it is too narrow for you to be able to do a turn in the road; you will be able to reverse around a corner on the left to go in the opposite direction.
The reverse to the left / left corner reverse manoeuvre will be useful to you after passing your practical driving test because the day will come when you need to turn to face the opposite way but do not have enough space to perform a turn in the road. The reverse to the left / left corner reverse manoeuvre is a very useful skill to have.
The briefing for the Reverse to the Left / Left Corner Reverse manoeuvre
If you are required to perform a reverse to the left / left corner reverse manoeuvre on either a driving lesson or driving test the you will be asked to pull in to the kerb on this side of the next junction. At this point you will be given a brief for the manoeuvre that goes something like this.
"The junction ahead of you is the one upon which I would like you to perform the reverse to the left manoeuvre please. I would like you to move past the corner and stop. Then reverse for a suitable distance up the new road maintaining a position which is parallel and reasonably near to the kerb".
The instructor / examiner may use different wording but the basic information must be there. They are obliged to draw you a basic word picture of what it is that you are expected to do on the reverse to the left / left corner reverse manoeuvre
Reverse to the Left / Left Corner Reverse
Key points for the Reverse to the Left / Left Corner Reverse manoeuvre
Reverse to the Left / Left Corner Reverse
Speed
Keep your speed low during the reverse to the left manoeuvre using the gas and biting point. It is far better to be stationary occasionally than to go too fast.
While you are in the reversing around the corner phase of this manoeuvre the faster you reverse the harder it is to correct any mistakes that you may make with the steering. At a slow speed if you think that you are slightly wide you can correct it in good time. If you are going faster than dead slow you will find that the mistake is immediately un-recoverable.
Reverse to the Left / Left Corner Reverse
Observations
Observations during the reversing phase of the left corner reverse manoeuvre are all around observations with the exception of a couple of forward glances as you reverse up the new road.
Reverse to the Left / Left Corner Reverse
Where to stop
The correct place to stop once you have crossed the mouth of the junction is twelve inches from the kerb and far enough past the start of the radius of the curve that you will be able to see it when you look over your shoulder.
In the new road you should reverse for four or five car lengths from the give way lines. This is plenty far enough that if the examiner asks you to turn right at the end of the road you can perform a proper move off (including an all around observation because your starting position is not by the kerb) followed by a full right emerge procedure.
Reverse to the Left / Left Corner Reverse
Points of steer
There are two points that we refer to as points of steer. As you reverse back towards the corner you have to decide when to steer to the left. This is the first point of steer.
When you have completed the corner you have to steer right to straighten the wheel for the straight reverse. This is the second point of steer.
Reverse to the Left / Left Corner Reverse
Reference points
You need two reference points to complete this manoeuvre. You need one for the straight reverse and one to get you around the corner accurately.
It has been pointed out by many pupils that by looking in the near side wing mirror they can see the kerb quite nicely and reverse accurately around the corner. While this is true enough it is not allowed. The near side wing mirror has a very limited zone of vision, so therefore continuous observation into it could not be seen as safe by the examiner. By using the reference points below you will be able to complete this manoeuvre by looking over your left shoulder.
Reverse to the Left / Left Corner Reverse
Reference point for straight reverse
As you look over your shoulder through the back window prior to starting the reverse, follow the line of the kerb until it appears to meet the car window at the bottom. There will be something there that will be useful as a reference point. There is usually either the dealers advertising sticker, a manufacturers logo, the ABS logo or a central brake light casing right in the middle of the window. These will not be directly in line with the kerb as you look at it but there will be a correlation between the position of what ever is there and the kerb.
As you reverse, if the correlation between your reference point and the kerb remains the same then you are reversing parallel to the kerb. If your reference point starts to move towards the kerb more then your car is doing the same thing so you would steer away slightly to correct the direction.
Do not over steer. If you are reversing slowly then slight changes in direction are all that is required to keep a straight course. The direction of steer when you are reversing is exactly the same as it is when you are going forwards. Left will take you towards the kerb and right will take you away from it.
Reverse to the Left / Left Corner Reverse
Reference point for reversing around the corner
As you get to your first point of steer you have to decide when to turn the wheel. At exactly the same moment in time as you decide to turn the wheel you should be looking at the bodywork of the car where it appears to meet the kerb. That exact point on the car is your reference point for the turn.
As you turn you should be really fussy about keeping the kerb exactly in line with your reference point, making any minor corrections to the steering as necessary to achieve this. If you do so then the car will maintain its distance parallel from the kerb. Maintaining this accuracy whilst reversing is one of the most difficult things that you will be asked to learn.
The reference point is only any use for the first half of the way around the corner. After that you may make occasional checks into the nearside mirror. Do not be tempted to watch it like a television. Yes, it will make your reverse accurate but your zone of vision will be so restricted that you must expect to fail.
Performing the Reverse to the Left / Left Corner Reverse Manoeuvre
Moving Off
Your car is stationary and parked so the driving plan is P.O.M.
Preparation - Clutch down, first gear, gas and biting point.
Observation - All around to check for pedestrians as well as road users.
Manoeuvre - Move away when it is safe to do so.
As you are driving past the road in first gear, take a look into the road looking for hazards that may prevent you from performing the manoeuvre (examiners decision, not yours).
Stopping after the corner
Position for stopping :- You need to be about one foot away from the kerb and at least one car length past the end of the radius on the corner.
Once stationary apply the handbrake and select reverse gear immediately.
Reversing
Preparation - Gas and biting point.
Observation - All around to check for pedestrians as well as road users.
Manoeuvre - Looking over your left shoulder, reverse towards the first point of steer.
Before you get to the corner perform an all around observation. Turning the wheel to the left will move the front of the car into the road thereby creating a hazard. You are checking that it is safe to do so before creating the hazard. Make sure that you do this observation early enough that you cab look back at the kerb before you get to the point of steer.
Decide when to turn the wheel and set up your reference point for the corner at exactly the same time.
Getting around the corner
Turn left now as much as necessary to maintain the relationship between the kerb and the reference point. This approach will work for half way around the corner. After that you may take brief glances into the left side mirror if you find it necessary. A word of warning though. Do not look there for too long because there is only a very limited zone of vision and the examiner will not like it.
While you are reversing around the corner you are expected to perform sufficient all around observations that if anything comes (road user or pedestrian), you will see it early enough that you can stop the car and apply the handbrake before they get to you. This way you are a stationary hazard for them to negotiate rather than a more hazardous moving one. If it does prove necessary to stop then the full Preparation, Observation (all around) and Manoeuvre is expected before you move off again.
Straightening up in the new road
As you are getting further around the corner you will see that your reference point for the straight reverse is getting closer to being in line again. Just before it becomes properly in line again straighten your steering wheel quickly (look at the wheel for a second as you finish straightening if necessary to make absolutely sure that the wheel is straight).
You can now follow your reference point for the straight reverse up the new road.
Please be aware. Some pupils become complacent at this point. It is true that the hardest part of the manoeuvre is behind you. Please maintain concentration for the last few yards. You will not regret it.
When to stop
In the new road you should reverse for four or five car lengths from the give way lines. This is plenty far enough that if the examiner asks you to turn right at the end of the road you can perform a proper move off (including an all around observation because your starting position is not by the kerb) followed by a full right emerge procedure.
Reverse to the Left / Left Corner Reverse
What we are looking for in the Reverse to the Left manoeuvre
Co-ordination
You have to use your co-ordination skills to control the speed of the car using the foot controls. You also have to co-ordinate the steering so that your turn is smooth instead of reversing as if along a wobbly line.
Obesrvation
Observations are expected at certain points. Frequent random observations are alright if you forget where they should go but there are some required ones.
During the two straight reverse you will be expected to look up and down the road for oncoming vehicles.
The examiner will expect to see an all around observation :-
Before you start to reverse - so that you can find out is there any road users or pedestrians in such a place as to prevent you from performing the manoeuvre. There may also be a car coming from the side street that you are about to turn into. Mirrors would never show that.
Before you start to turn the wheel at your first reference point - you are about to create a hazard because when you turn the steering wheel to the left the front of the car will swing out into the road causing a potential hazard to oncoming vehicles from any direction.
Often enough throughout the turn that you will observe any oncoming road users from any direction - as you reverse you are the one doing the odd thing therefore it is up to you to ensure that it is safe. Keep a sharp lookout for pedestrians as well as road users.
When you have stopped and are asked to move off again they will expect one before you move. You are not technically in a parking position so there is the possibility that something may be coming up the inside of you or that pedestrians/cyclists may be about to cross from an unexpected angle.
Accuracy
The examiner is looking for you to pull up about twelve inches away from the kerb and remain parallel to the kerb for the duration of the reverse.
In the new road you will be expected to reverse for a suitable distance so that when you move away you have enough space to perform two separate procedures. The first would be moving away from the stationary position, and the second, and quite separate procedure would be the turn at the end of the road. Usually if you reverse for four to five car lengths down the new road you will have plenty of room.
