How to Drive Backwards

Backing up a vehicle can be difficult, especially if you have to move around an obstacle. If you want to learn to drive in reverse, progress gradually and practice maneuvering around obstacles at a slow speed.

Instructions

1. Put your dominant hand on the top of the steering wheel. Lock your arm and turn your head over your right shoulder before backing up to make sure there you will not hit anything as you start to drive backwards.

2. Put the car in reverse and go slowly at first before building up speed. Never go fast in reverse.

3. Go as straight as you can for as long as you can.

4. Turn your steering wheel to the left to make the back end of the car veer left. Make sure the front end of the car won't hit anything when you turn, as it will swing out to the right.

5. Use your side mirrors to guide you as you turn the back end to the right by turning the steering wheel to the right. This turn is a bit trickier since it is more difficult to see as you turn.

Tips & Warnings

• The faster you go in reverse the more sensitive the steering becomes. Therefore, slow down if you have to drive around an obstacle while driving backwards.

• It is easier to flip a vehicle while going in reverse and your chance of crashing your vehicle generally is greater. A vehicle has less handling capabilities going in reverse.

• You will have a greater chance of losing control in a vehicle with a heavy load in the rear when traveling in reverse.