Driving & Driving Test Tips: backingup straight on test, steering wheels, steering wheel

Question
my son failed his rd test twice due to not backing up straight for 30ft. not sure how to help him any tips?

Answer
Dear fg,

Really, the only way to make sure that you get this exercise right is practice, practice, practice. Practice after all makes perfect.

I am guessing you are from the US and therefore most likely using a vehicle with automatic transmission. If you are you should control the vehicle using the brake pedal. Don't let the vehicle move too fast, try to keep it moving slowly and steadily, don't stop and start.

You need to make sure you don't over compensate for any "wiggle". If the vehicle starts to move to the left or right it is important that you don't panic and start turning the steering wheel furiously in the other direction to try to compensate, this will just make the wiggle get worse and worse until you hit a kerb or just don't know what is going on.

If the vehicle is parallel to the kerb and the steering wheels are straight at the start of the exercise then you shouldn't have to move the steering wheel more than a quarter of a turn in any direction. You can also line up something in the distance with the centre of the rear window (a lamp post, a letter or marking on a street sign, another vehicle number plate etc), as you reverse you will be able to judge if you are travelling in a straight line. If are even a little off straight the thing you are looking at will move either to the left or right, you can then make very small adjustments to compensate. The further the object is from the vehicle the more accurate this method will be and the smaller the adjustment needed. If you do use this method don't concentrate solely on the object in the distance or you could miss something important closer to the vehicle.

Remember to practice this manoeuvre until you are completely confidant in your own ability. If you are only failing your Road Test because of this manoeuvre then you should be concentrating mainly on this exercise, as this is the area that you need to improve on. It is too easy sometimes just to do the things you are good at, and not do the things you find difficult.

Sometimes people think about the exercise too much and this makes them more and more nervous and then when it comes to doing it every thing goes wrong because you are so worked up. If you feel that you are confident at the exercise when you are not under test, but then it all goes wrong when you are being tested, this is the most likely cause. The way to combat this is not to be afraid of failure and JUST DO IT. Be confidant in your own ability. (this is more easy to say than to do, but it works)

I hope I have been of some help and wish you luck in your next test

Paul.