Reverse parking on your driving test?

When I did my test, I had to do both reverse moves. It wasn't all that long ago and I'm pretty sure I used both two hands and one hands at times, within seconds of each other. There's a huge difference between test standard technique and casual driving: you will not pass if you check the mirrors and blind spot just once, and then have your left hand over the back of the car seat for 15 seconds while you steer with one hand. You need to keep checking mirrors and blind spots every few seconds, with two hands on the wheel as far as possible. To maximise how much you see during the reverse moves, set your mirrors this way, before your exam, showing as much of the pavement as possible on the left side, yet still high enough to give you good warning of cars. You do not want to adjust your mirrors at all during the exam, but you do need to show you're looking at them, and are happy with them, before you set off. Also, slide back your passenger seat quite far, so that her chest, or his beer belly, won't get in the way of your seeing the mirror, as happened with me.

Incidentally, they might ask you to do these maneouvres within 30 seconds of your setting off on test day, which will come as a shock. You probably, when with your instructor, drive around for half an hour first, getting into the swing of things, whereas your examiner may expect these darn maneouvres within 30 secs!

He asked me straight away to do a reverse park. I pulled up parallel to the car he pointed out, and waited for a car approaching to pass. Make sure you don't move while other cars are moving in close proximity to you. If you check ahead and behind, and you see them say 100m away, it's okay to keep doing your moves, but when the car gets within 10 or 15 car lengths, stop, and let them decide what to do. Do not make eye contact with the other drivers and do not wave them on or anything like that. Just sit there. They will probably get bored and move past you. However, if they SIT there for say 5 seconds WITHOUT creeping forwards, then you can finish the maneouvre: they're waiting for you. If they are creeping, you sit still sister. Same rules for reversing round a corner and turn in the road!

If you pass your test first time, I expect a free cup of your boobs. Thanks in advance.

You mean backing up? Like into a parking spot (parallel)?

In California at least, you are supposed to put one hand behind the passenger seat (on the headrest) and one on the wheel, whether turning or going straight it didn't matter.

When I took my test (can't say now though) you would fail if you didn't do that. If you backed up with both hands on the wheel it was an automatic failure. They said that if your arm is not wrapped behind the passanger headrest, you are not turning your body far enough to look. And really, how the heck can you really turn around and look with both hands on the wheel? I generally use my mirrors, but always take a good look while turned around before I even start backing up.

So if that is what you are talking about, that is what I was taught and what we had to do when taking the test.

Examiners are quite pragmatic about this. If it's necessary to take a hand off the wheel to get a good look then do so. A lot depends on the car and your stature. What you mustn't do is let go of the wheel completely while you're moving, so if you need to move one hand on the wheel put t'other one back on first.

In short ,as long as you're controlling the car, that's fine.

The best way if possible is to take a hand off for a really good look, then if you can put both back on the wheel for the manoeuvre - you're allowed to use your mirrors.

Quick, run and buy a new Lexus LS460 that has automatic reverse parking!

It was on Fifth Gear tonight and it was just mind blowing, it reverse parked the car in between 2 others all by it'self, he never even touched the steering wheel, brakes, etc.

All you need now is the 72 grand to buy one.

It varies somewhat depending on how much of your car hangs out in back of the wheels, but basically 1. Pull up next to the parking space to judge that your car will fit. and how much is left over. 2. Pull forward until the rear bumpers of your car and the car in front of the space are aligned and your car is about 2 feet from the other car. 3. While backing, turn the steering wheel smoothly and fairly quickly so that when the rear wheel of your car is in the line of the rear bumper of the other, you are at about 30 degrees to the line of the street. 4. Straighten out the wheels so the car goes straight back toward the curb. 5. When the front of the car is clear of the bumper line, turn the wheel sharply to bring your car's front end across the back of the car in front while moving back a small distance. 6. Straighten the car and center it between the two cars, getting closer to the curb if need be. Note the following: actually the width of the car in front and of your car are important and so the distance from the curb is more of a factor than the distance from the car (since half the width of your car plus half the width of that car plus the space between them fits into the turning radius of your car.) The most common errors are turning to too great an angle and thus hitting the curb with the rear wheels; almost hitting the car in front by cutting back too soon, almost hitting the car behind by too shallow an angle or cutting too soon. Solving all of these is a matter of judgement of the starting distance and the angle.

you must have both hands on the wheel for reversing and turning the steer wheel but when reversing in a straight line one hand on wheel is ok

Must keep both hands on the wheel. Use side & front mirrors to reverse. Not that difficult, keep practicing & you will learn it.

Use both hands on the wheel.

If you need to apply full lock it is not possible to do it with only one hand.

You need to demonstrate to the examiner that you have full control of the car.

It can be an uncomfortable manoeuvre if you are built in such a way that you find it difficult.

This relates to UK driving standards.

call a driving instructor they can help, or look in the dmv booklet they gave you for the permit. to my knowledge it was always both hands on the wheel you could get points taken off for that1 you just have to keep trying until it feels comfortable to you. good luck on your road test look both ways and turn to look over your shoulder for the 3 point turn!! and please please do not speed when your friends are in the car!

you MUST keep both hands on the wheel at all times