Is Reversing a Pain in the Rear?

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Are you finding reversing a car very difficult? Most learners do at first.The main reason, I think, is that although they have reverse gear engaged, their mind is still in forward gear! Let me explain.

Because it feels normal and reassuring to steer the front of the car, a lot of beginners are still trying to do that whilst going backwords! Not surprising they have problems! Can you imagine driving forwards whilst looking out of the rear windscreen? Impossible, right?

So, you have to put your mind into reverse mode aswell as the car. In other words, the back of your vehicle becomes the front when you are reversing. That doesn`t mean you are not aware of things happening in front of you, but you must steer the rear, which is leading the way.
The other important thing is speed, or rather lack of it. Most beginners, without wanting to, attempt going backwards around a corner faster than they would forwards! Remember that when reversing, there is a delay in the turning of the steering wheel altering the direction of the rear of the car, because it is only the front wheels that are turning. You have to adjust to that time lag and if you are going too fast, you will not be able to judge it correctly, and will probably turn too early or too much.

So, it is vital that you keep control of the speed, using clutch control, always steer the rear, and also look a long way behind you, not at your back wheel!
Once you get comfortable reversing and steering the rear, then you can start to go a little bit faster.