The reverse around a corner is a precision driving manoeuvre that tests a driver's spatial awareness, clutch control, and observational skills. Although the DVSA removed it as a mandatory exercise from the practical driving test in Great Britain in December 2017, it remains an essential skill taught by driving instructors. Mastering this technique ensures you can navigate tight spaces, turn around safely on narrow streets, and maintain excellent all-round observation in real-world driving scenarios.
A driving manoeuvre where a driver reverses their vehicle smoothly and accurately around a kerb from one road into another while maintaining full control and observation.
P.O.M. - Position, Observation, Manoeuvre. Keep your speed slow, your eyes moving, and the kerb in sight.
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See how Reverse Around a Corner appears in realistic driving situations relevant to Great Britain. These examples explain correct behaviour, safety implications, and how Reverse Around a Corner connects to British driving theory exam questions.
You are practicing reversing around a left-hand corner on a quiet residential street in Great Britain when you spot a pedestrian walking along the pavement towards the corner you are turning around.
Pause the manoeuvre immediately, secure the vehicle, and wait to see if the pedestrian intends to cross the side road before continuing.
Pedestrians have priority, and reversing vehicles must always yield to all other road users. Reversing with a pedestrian nearby without stopping is a major safety hazard.
While reversing around a corner, the front of your car begins to swing out into the main road as you steer to follow the bend.
Check your front right blind spot and oncoming traffic lanes thoroughly before and during the steering phase to ensure the front of your vehicle does not obstruct passing traffic.
As you turn the steering wheel during a reverse, the front of the vehicle swings outwards, potentially entering the path of oncoming traffic on the main road.
You are executing a reverse around a corner and find the vehicle is moving too quickly, making it difficult to judge the steering angle around the kerb.
Use clutch control (slipping the clutch) and gentle braking to reduce the vehicle's speed to a slow crawl while keeping your steering adjustments small and deliberate.
Keeping the car at a slow, controlled walking pace gives you the time necessary to make precise steering corrections and maintain full observation.
Learn how to execute the reverse around a corner manoeuvre safely, focusing on precise vehicle control and all-round observation.
The reverse around a corner is a traditional driving exercise that involves reversing a vehicle from a major road into a minor road, or vice versa, while keeping close to the edge of the kerb. This manoeuvre requires a high degree of physical coordination, as the driver must steer accurately in reverse while continuously scanning the surrounding environment for hazards. It serves as a comprehensive test of a driver's ability to coordinate the clutch, brakes, and steering while maintaining absolute control over the vehicle's speed and path.
In December 2017, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) updated the Great Britain practical driving test to better reflect modern driving habits and technology. As part of these changes, the reverse around a corner and the turn-in-the-road manoeuvres were replaced with exercises like pulling up on the right-hand side of the road and reversing back two car lengths, or reversing into a parking bay. Despite its removal from the practical exam, the reverse around a corner remains in driving theory syllabuses and is widely regarded by driving instructors as an invaluable training exercise for developing spatial awareness and low-speed control.
To perform this manoeuvre successfully, a driver must follow a structured sequence of actions:
Safety is the absolute priority during any reversing manoeuvre. Because reversing significantly limits your direct field of vision, you must look primarily out of the rear window while moving, rather than relying solely on mirrors. You must also account for the front of your car swinging out into the road as you steer around the corner, which can create a hazard for oncoming traffic. If any other road user, cyclist, or pedestrian approaches the vehicle while you are reversing, you must stop immediately, secure the car, and wait for the hazard to clear before resuming.
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No, the DVSA officially removed the reverse around a corner manoeuvre from the practical driving test in Great Britain in December 2017. However, it is still highly recommended that learners practice it as it builds essential vehicle control skills.
Instructors teach it because it develops excellent clutch control, accurate steering in reverse, and spatial awareness. These skills are essential for real-world driving, such as turning around on narrow streets or parking in tight spaces.
You must stop immediately and secure your vehicle. Assess the other driver's intentions; if they stop and signal you to continue, you may do so with extreme caution, but generally, you should allow them to pass first.
Keep your speed very slow using clutch control, and use your left door mirror to monitor the distance between your rear wheel and the kerb. Adjust your steering in small increments rather than making sudden, large turns.
Generally, you do not need to signal with indicators because your reversing lights and physical position communicate your intent. However, you must prioritize observations and ensure you do not mislead other drivers.
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