Briefings for Part Three Training and Professional Driving Instruction Exercise 3

Exercise 3

Reversing to the left or right

These exercises would be given to a learner in the field once they are able to move off and stop correctly, change gear reasonably well, and have been given some driving practice in light traffic. In the part 3 test the examiner will role play a learner driver at about that standard and the mistakes or faults which he will commit will be commensurate with a learner driver of that standard. Listen carefully to the examiner, his introduction will go something like this.

"I would like you to imagine that I have been having lessons in a car just like this one so I am conversant with the controls. This week my instructor was going to teach me how to reverse around a left ( or right hand ) corner. Will you teach me that exercise as if I have never had it explained to me before and if you see any faults in my driving will you correct them?"

You are now in control of the lesson. Begin by making the usual introductions, then ask, have you been shown how to reverse in a straight line on the left or right hand side of the road depending on what the examiner has asked to be taught. Because of the limited time factor the examiner will more than likely say, "Yes my instructor showed me that last week." Then say well this is not an ideal place to show you how to reverse for the first time so we will have to go to a more suitable place. Then ask, have you driven in light traffic before? do you think you could drive it from here if I help you? He will confirm so the lesson can begin.

The following advice should be followed in all the remaining phase one exercises. Watch him closely to find the standard he has reached so that you can pitch your instruction at the correct level.It is unlikely that a pupil at this stage will be able to read the the road and plan his actions. Remember your most important duty as an instructor is the safety of your pupil and other road users. Do not hesitate to help the moment you see the need. You will probably find that you will be talking him through most hazards. Try to prevent serious faults by planning the drive but correct any faults that do occur as soon possible afterwards. If you have prevented a serious fault, or one has been committed which you were unable to prevent, then it must be dealt with thoroughly. The pupil should be told the reason for the fault and it could have caused an accident, then he should be told how to prevent it happening again.

The examiner will give you directions for you to give him. Before you repeat the directions have a look in your dual mirror to see what the pupil will see when he looks in his mirror. Now whilst watching the pupil repeat the direction and give any prompts or advice that are necessary, only by doing that can you be sure nothing is missed from the MSM procedure. You will soon arrive at a suitable place for the intended manoeuvre. Once the car has stopped instruct the pupil to stop the engine so you can commence with the briefing.

First outline the exercise with the aid of a diagram and stimulate the pupil's interest by saying how useful the manoeuvre can be. Tell the pupil that to be able to do the manoeuvre correctly he will require three things: CONTROL, OBSERVATION and ACCURACY. You will now explain each item separately and you will begin with control.

CONTROL
Explain that when driving the car backwards the driver will not have the same degree of control as in forward motion, because he will be sat twisted in the seat. He will not have the same degree of observation, and if he is likely to interfere with any other road user during the manoeuvre then he will have to give way. For those reasons the car must be driven slowly below walking pace. Now ask the pupil how will the controls have to be used to keep the road speed below walking pace. Hopefully the pupil will say slipping the clutch. If not, then you will have to explain to him that he does not want all the power of the engine reaching the road wheels, so as soon as he feels the vehicle move, he must press the clutch slightly. If the vehicle is going to move down hill then keep the clutch fully down and control the weight of the vehicle on the foot brake. Still using the diagram and a model car if you have one say, there will come a point when we shall have to turn the wheel, which way will we turn it. Hopefully you will get the correct answer, If not then you will have to explain you always turn the wheel in the direction you wish to turn. Show him the car going forward round a corner with left lock applied and ask what would happen if we stopped and engaged reverse gear? Would the car return from hence it came or would it go in the opposite direction? That should achieve an understanding. Once around the corner we would straighten up drive for some distance then stop. Ask, have you any questions? Give answers to his questions if he has any. Next deal with observations.

OBSERVATIONS
Throughout the manoeuvre we must maintain all round observations and if we are likely to interfere with the progress of any other road user we must give way. We begin by looking in all three mirrors and checking the blind spot before we move away from the kerb. As we go past the opening we look into it to see if it is safe, legal and convenient. If it is satisfactory have a look at the type of corner, is it a sharp corner or a gradual one, is it uphill or downhill, this information will be useful to you later. Before stopping use the MSM procedure and stop when you can see the junction in the mirrors. Before starting to reverse have a good look round and adjust your position in the seat so you can see properly through the rear window or tailgate. Another check all round and when safe begin to reverse periodically looking to the front and into the blind spot. There will come a point when we shall have to apply the left lock, when we apply the lock what will happen to the front of the vehicle? You should get the correct answer, if you don't, then you will have to explain. Once the pupil understands that the front will swing out towards the centre of the road, ask who is it likely to interfere with? Then emphasize that we must look all round again before we apply the steering even though we have maintained all round observation up to this point. Now whilst the front end is moving out if it is going to interfere with anyone we must give way, but there will come a point when the front starts to move away from the centre of the road as the car sinks into the side road. When this point is reached it will be better to keep going because you are improving conditions in the main road. Now your attention will again be towards the rear of the vehicle having the occasional glance forward. Have you any questions? If he has then answer them correctly. Now deal with judgement.

JUDGEMENT

Say to the pupil you should be able to judge how to pull up 15 yards beyond the opening and 2 feet from the kerb? Most pupils will be able to do that. The next thing he has to judge is when to apply the steering. Before explaining that, ask the pupil which of the four wheels will be nearest the kerb when the car is travelling round the corner. You can show him with a model car and show that it will be the nearside rear wheel. So explain if he watches this wheel in relation to the kerb the other three wheels will look after themselves. Now tell the pupil he must begin to apply the steering when the rear nearside wheel is level with the first curved kerb stone. On this first occasion you will judge it and will stop the car to enable you to point out the points to look for. Tell the pupil the view of the corner will be lost by the rear corner pillar whilst the car is turning. When the view is lost he should look through the rear window and watch for the kerb coming into view in the bottom corner. Allow the vehicle to continue turning until the kerb has almost reached the point where it was at the beginning of the exercise, then it will be time to straighten up.When he is well round the corner he should pick a focal point some distance from the car and head for the focal point. Then he can monitor the distance from the kerb by seeing where the kerb lies in relation to the bottom of the rear window. Any corrections needed can be achieved by small corrections with the steering.

When the pupil attempts the reverse correct all faults as they occur. Any faults in judgement get him to immediately stop the car and have an inquest. Ask what does he think is happening? Is the car going straight? Towards the kerb? or away from the kerb? Once the truth has been revealed then you can ask him what correction is needed to achieve success. In this way you will build up the pupil's judgement. Remember it is the pupil who wants to learn so help him to reason it out.

The right hand reverse is dealt with in much the same way but it is easier to teach because the pupil can see the kerb throughout the exercise. Remember to explain it is necessary to reverse well down the side road so that the normal road position can be regained well away from the junction in a safe part of the road. Before moving back to the nearside he must check the blind spot over his left shoulder..You can also explain the difficulties which driving a van will have. Make him aware of the limited visibility available with the mirrors and the tremendous blind spots. Explain how moving his position in the seat will improve the view but even so he will need to exercise great care.

Top of Page ¦ Back to exercise 2 ¦ Forward to exercise 4
Driving Instructor Training