Low-speed maneuvers are where the road test is won or lost. You'll back up in a straight line, make a 3-point turn and parallel park, so learn each step. The same care keeps you from hitting pedestrians in lots and driveways.
Know the rule
Before reversing, make sure the path is clear using mirrors and turning to look. In reverse, turning the wheel right moves the car right; not turning moves it straight back.
Handbook p. 56 ↗Know the rule
To reverse straight, turn your head and body right to see through the rear window, put your right arm over the passenger seat back, and grip the top of the wheel with your left hand.
Handbook p. 57 ↗Reversing speed: about walking speed
Handbook p. 57 ↗Know the rule
When turning while reversing, use both hands on the wheel. Palming the wheel with one hand is dangerous and can fail the road test. The front of the car swings opposite to the turn.
Handbook p. 57 ↗Distance you will back up in a straight line on the road test
Handbook p. 57 ↗Know the rule
Backup cameras and parking sensors may be used on the road test (since August 31, 2016), but reversing principles come first.
Handbook p. 57 ↗Know the rule
Move to the proper lane and signal at least 100 feet before any turn. If you miss a turn, never back up; take the next one.
Handbook p. 57 ↗Before every turn
- Check mirrors and look to both sides for vehicles and people
- Watch for motorcycles, bicycles and mopeds
- Signal first, then move into the proper lane
- Slow down before the intersection
- Keep a steady speed, follow pavement markings, and stay in your lane
- Turn the signal off after the turn
The 3-point turn (K-turn), required on the road test
- Start at the right edge in a safe spot with good visibility both ways
- If no traffic, signal left and move forward slowly, steering left; stop several inches from the left curb
- Back up slowly, steering right; stop several inches from the right curb
- Move forward steering left, then straighten the wheels
Parking on a hill with a curb
| Facing | Front wheels | Gear |
|---|---|---|
| Downhill | Turned toward the curb | Park (manual: reverse) |
| Uphill | Turned away from the curb | Park (manual: low) |
Angle parking to your right
- Watch traffic ahead and behind; signal and slow down
- Make sure your rear will clear the parked cars
- Steer sharply in, then straighten and center the car
- Shift to park (reverse if manual) and set the parking brake
Backing out of an angle space
- Walk around to be sure nothing is in the way
- Back slowly, tap the horn to warn pedestrians
- When you can see past the parked cars' roofs, stop and look again
- Back until your left front wheel passes the rear bumper of the car on your left, then straighten
Parallel parking steps
- Signal right and pull up about two to four feet beside the car in front
- Check behind, look out the rear window, back about two feet and turn the wheel all the way right
- When your front clears the front car's rear bumper, stop and check the angle and the curb
- Turn the wheel all the way left while backing slowly; stop before the car behind
- Straighten the wheels and center the car, tires no more than six inches from the curb
Spacing of practice flags or markers for parallel parking; if you hit them, keep practicing
Handbook p. 60 ↗Put it into practice
Parking facing downhill on a street with a curb: set the parking brake, turn the front wheels toward the curb, and leave an automatic in park. If the brake fails, the car rolls into the curb instead of into traffic.