DMV Test: How to Back Up Your Car

Know How to Back Your Car

You must know how to back up your car or drive it in reverse for your road skills test and future driving.

Questions about backing up a car can also appear on your written DMV test.

If you still have your written knowledge exam ahead of you, there are some crucial points you should remember for the written test. Then, when you have your learner’s permit, make sure that you go through them again and practice driving in reverse until you feel comfortable with it.

If Your Car has a Backup Camera

Does your car have a backup camera or rear-view camera?

Backup cameras improve your ability to see behind your car and help to eliminate the rear blind spot. Most backup systems also have a warning signal that activates when you get too close to an object behind you (or to the side).

When you put your car into reverse, a camera mounted at the car’s rear activates and sends an image to a monitor to show what is behind you.

With a backup camera in your car, you may think you don’t need to learn some of the advice in your driver’s manual, but remember that all cars don’t have cameras yet. Even if your vehicle has one, you might drive a car without a camera one day. Your camera may also stop working because of technical errors. You should learn how to back up both with and without a camera.

Can I Use the Camera during the Road Test?

Some states allow you to use the camera when you back your vehicle during the road test – but some don’t. Check with your examiner before the test.

Regardless of which, you should always know how to back a vehicle without the use of cameras.

Before You Start Backing Up

  Backing is more dangerous.

The first thing to remember is that backing and driving in reverse is much more dangerous than driving forward. The reason is you cannot see as well when you move in reverse. It is true even if you have a rear-view camera.

Your vehicle is also harder to control when you drive in reverse.

Therefore, you should do as little backing as possible in everyday driving.

  Check behind your vehicle.

Before you get behind the wheel and start driving, you should walk behind your vehicle and make sure the area behind your car is clear. Be extra careful if children are playing nearby. You may not see them from your driver’s seat if they are behind your vehicle.

  Adjust your mirrors.

Then, before starting the engine, ensure you have adjusted your side and rear-view mirrors.

It is best to always adjust your seat, safety belts, and mirrors before you drive off.

It is important to remember that even if your mirrors are well-adjusted, you should not rely solely on mirrors when backing up.

Start the Engine and Follow These Three Steps

1. When you have started the engine, keep your foot on the brake.
2. Place your left hand on the steering wheel at the 12 o’clock position. Driving in reverse is the only situation when you should grip the wheel with only one hand.
3. Put your right arm across your seat and look over your right shoulder through your rear window.
4. Move your eyes, take in everything around you.

You should learn these three steps, even if you have a backup camera.

These steps are also something that the examiner will look at when you do your road test – unless rules in your state allow a camera.

Start Backing Up

Start backing by letting up the brake pedal.

A common mistake by new drivers is to move the foot to the gas pedal and increase speed. You shouldn’t. Until you are an experienced driver, you should keep your foot where it is and just let up on the brake.

As a new driver, you do this for two reasons:

 First, your speed should never be more than a slow crawl because you want to keep complete control of where you are going.

 Secondly, if you need to stop, you want to be able to stop as quickly as possible.

If you, as an example, are backing into a traffic lane and another vehicle is approaching from behind, you must stop so you don’t interfere with traffic.

If your foot is on the accelerator in this situation, you could accidentally increase speed instead of braking.

Never feel the urge to increase speed when you are backing up. Remember, your car is much harder to control when you back up.

Know Which Way to Steer

The examiner will likely ask you to back up around a corner during your road test. It is often part of the road skills test since new drivers need help remembering which way to steer when not looking forward.

The theory is simple: you turn the wheel in the direction you want the vehicle’s rear to go. When you want the car’s rear to turn right, you turn the wheel to the right. When you want the car’s rear to turn left, you turn the wheel to the left.

When you get your learner’s permit, practice this several times until it comes naturally.

Be Aware of Your Surroundings

When you back up around a corner, the front of your vehicle will stick out the other way. Remember to take your eyes from the rear for a moment. Press the brake pedal lightly, if needed, and check around you. You must make sure you don’t interfere with other vehicles or pedestrians.

If the way is clear, continue backing up.

Don’t back up for over a few seconds, and remember to look in all directions.

Here is a Quick Summary

 Check around your vehicle before getting behind the wheel.
 Look through the rear window, if possible.
 Back up slowly, cover the brake pedal.
 Be aware of surroundings.

Check Your Knowledge with These DMV Questions