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Oklahoma driving lesson · Lane Usage and Maneuvers

Backing

A 3-minute lesson from the Oklahoma course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Lane Usage and Maneuvers
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
39

Backing is harder than driving forward because the car itself blocks your view and speed and direction are harder to control. It takes a lot of practice, and backing out of a parking place means looking both ways and double-checking for cars and pedestrians.

Know the rule

Before you get into your car, always check behind it for bikes, tricycles and small children. This is especially important for vans and pickups.

Handbook p. 39 ↗

Getting set to back:

  • Put your foot on the brake and shift to reverse
  • Grasp the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position with your left hand
  • Put your right arm on the back of the seat and look directly through the rear window
  • Never use your rearview mirror for backing up
Handbook p. 39 ↗

While backing:

  • Accelerate gently and smoothly, keeping your speed slow
  • Steer slightly in the direction the rear of the vehicle should move
  • Back slowly into the lane closest to you for the direction you'll be going
  • If backing while turning, make quick checks to the front and sides
  • Keep looking to the rear until you come to a complete stop
Handbook p. 39 ↗

Know the rule

Your vehicle is much harder to steer while backing up, so keep your speed slow.

Handbook p. 39 ↗

Know the rule

Never back into an intersection to turn around. It's much safer to drive around the block.

Handbook p. 39 ↗
Lane change collision hazard
Backing out of a parking space without looking can hit a passing rider

Put it into practice

You're backing out of a spot at the grocery store. Foot on the brake, shift to reverse, left hand at 12 o'clock, right arm over the seat, and turn to look through the rear window. Ease back slowly, glancing to the sides, and keep looking back until you stop.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What should you use to see behind you while backing up?
  1. Your rearview mirror
  2. Your side mirrors only
  3. A backup camera only
  4. Look back directly

Answer: Look back directly

Never use your rearview mirror for backing; look directly through the rear window.

Handbook p. 39 ↗
It's safer to back into an intersection to turn around than to drive around the block.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Never back into an intersection to turn around; it's safer to drive around the block.

Handbook p. 39 ↗
When backing out of a parking space, where should you position your right arm?
  1. On the steering wheel at 12 o'clock
  2. Resting on the window ledge
  3. Holding the gear shift only
  4. On the seatback, looking out the rear

Answer: On the seatback, looking out the rear

Place your right arm on the back of the seat and look directly through the rear window while backing.

Handbook p. 39 ↗
How should you accelerate while backing your vehicle?
  1. Gently and smoothly, staying slow
  2. Quickly, to clear the space
  3. In short bursts of full throttle
  4. Same as driving forward

Answer: Gently and smoothly, staying slow

Accelerate gently and smoothly, keeping your speed slow, since backing is harder to control.

Handbook p. 39 ↗
Why is backing more difficult for a beginner than driving forward?
  1. Brakes work less well in reverse
  2. The car itself blocks your view
  3. Cars accelerate faster in reverse
  4. Steering works in the opposite direction

Answer: The car itself blocks your view

The car itself blocks your view, making it harder to control speed and direction while backing.

Handbook p. 39 ↗
It's fine to use your rearview mirror as your main tool while backing your car.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Never use your rearview mirror for backing; look directly through the rear window instead.

Handbook p. 39 ↗
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