Reverse Left

To reverse around a corner you should have around half a metre of space free between the car and the kerb. Start from a position a little past the corner.

When pulling up, if a signal is necessary, avoid misleading others by timing the signal so you are just passing the road on the left.

Always ensure you are reversing from a major road into a minor road. To reverse from a minor road onto a major road could be very dangerous.

Approaching the side road on the left to reverse into. The blue car has driven past the junction, and a large shaded circle marks the stretch of road that has to be kept under observation throughout the manoeuvre.

Reversing - POM

As usual, make sure you Prepare, Observe and Move - in that order. Use the handbrake to prevent the car from rolling. Take effective all-round observations, including both blindspots. Before beginning to move, you should be looking over your left shoulder, through the rear window.

Steering Left

Going backwards around a corner is similar to going forwards. The biggest difficulty going backwards is knowing how much to steer as it is harder to see the kerb.

Some people prefer to watch the kerb over their left shoulder, through the side windows of the car. Others find it easier to use the left mirror to follow the kerb. Whichever method you use, you must remember to keep checking all around and to look out the back window regularly for other road users. Keep very slow.

The blue car angled across the mouth of the side road as it reverses round the corner to the left, the back of the car already into the side road.

The front of the car will swing out towards the right when you turn, so make sure you look round and check on the right side (including the blindspot) before you steer.

Just like going forwards around a corner, you should start to turn the wheel when the kerb starts moving away from you. Follow it round and straighten up as the car becomes straight in the new road.

The blue car straightened up in the side road with a red arrow pointing back along it, showing the car continuing to reverse in a straight line parallel to the kerb.

Finishing

Reverse straight back into the new road for a good three or four car lengths. Keep slow, keep checking all around, and try to keep a steady distance from the kerb. When finished, there should be plenty of space available for others to pass and to use the junction.

Engage the handbrake and select neutral.