Observation, control and accuracy
When performing any slow speed manoeuvre in an environment shared with other road users you are the odd one out – that is, others may be inconvenienced by your actions.
The first and perhaps most important rule about slow manoeuvering is that you are the 'odd one out'. If another road user approaces, Stop!
By stopping, even if only monentarily, you will gain the time needed to assess the situation. Quite often, when you stop the other person will take the initiative to proceed. If not, and they appear to be giving you priority, make eye contact; at this point you might decide that it is safe to proceed.
If you decide to proceed, keep a constant look out because situations can change rapidly... The person who has given way may change his/her mind.
Observation
Another good reason for a constant look out is that it can be very upsetting to reverse into a concrete bollard that you didn't see - I speak from experience!
When performing any of the set manoeuvres, look ahead, behind and to the sides. This will enable you to see other cars, motorcycles and cyclists, pedestrians, young children, dogs
and cats, etc.
Proper observation will include use of mirrors. However, your mirrors should not be your sole source of information about what is happening behind the car.
No matter how good you are at 'reversing on mirrors', the small glass area presented by the mirrors will not give enough information for absolute safety.
When reversing a vehicle with a restricted view (e.g. a van or a lorry) you are limited by the design and so have to rely on mirrors, however, you should always seek assistance or get out and check behind if there is the slightest uncertainty about what's behind.
This is especially important in car parks and other places where there may be children.
This 'get out and check' advice also extends to large 4x4 and 'people carrier' type vehicles – these types of vehicles have been involved in fatal accidents with both adult and child pedestrians.
Under control
For your manoeuvres, this generally means using clutch-control and 'zimmer frame' speeds.
However, take account of gradients and cambers which may require footbrake control. If you encounter a steep downhill reverse you might need to bring the clutch up fully to control the speed.
Control should not be a problem for experienced drivers – if you have any difficulty with clutch control, practice starting and stopping on a slight uphill gradient, using only the clutch and gas pedal – as an extra, do this allowing the car to roll back and then stopping and holding still by engaging the clutch (no footbrake)..
Caution: Spending too long doing this will shorten the life of your clutch.
With reasonable accuracy
In order to perform any manoeuvre accurately, you need to know where you want the car to go and how to put it there.
If your control and observation are good, this will be easy.
Accuracy comes with practice, be patient and allow yourself to get it wrong a few times before you finally achieve 'perfection'. It might initially be useful to find a few 'reference points' to help with your positioning of the car.
Remember, your advanced test examiner is looking for an expert drive with regard to accuracy. This means knowing the size of your car. It's easy to learn the exact size of your car and improve your accuracy with a couple of traffic cones in an empty car park. See how well you can judge a narrow gap by making a 'gateway' with the cones – or how close you can drive up to them (forward and reverse) or park next to them.
Three key points...
It is important to tackle your manoeuvres step-by-step.
Quite often, experienced drivers are so keen to complete the manoeuvres, that they drive too quickly and thus fail to take the correct safety precautions – hence my reversing into a concrete post (way back in 1987).
As an experienced driver you probably already have the relevant skills required for safe manoeuvring. However, the main dangers are likely to come from other road users rather than your ability to control the vehicle, so remember these three key points: Observation; Observation; Observation!
