Reversing and Three Point Turns.
Reversing a vehicle is a simple procedure which can be performed safely as long
as some precautions are taken, for example before revering your vehicle down a driveway,
it is a good idea to check for children and/or their toys that may have been left
for the unwary to run over.
With the motor running, the handbrake applied and the gear lever in neutral. Depress
clutch and select reverse gear, to steer the vehicle your right hand should be placed
on the steering wheel at the twelve o'clock position, accelerate to a fast idle
between 1000 - 1500 rpm should suffice, lift clutch to friction and release the
handbrake, increase accelerator pressure gently and release clutch after the car
has moved about four or five metres. Steer by moving the right hand left or right,
to move the rear of the vehicle left, turn left, rotate the steering wheel right
to move the rear of the vehicle right.
In an automatic vehicle, after the vehicle has completely stopped and the handbrake
applied, apply footbrake, select "R" for reverse, release handbrake, steer in the
same way as the manual vehicle, release footbrake and accelerate gently to move
the vehicle slowly.
The three point turn
The three point turn is utilised where your vehicle is physically unable to complete
a "U" turn, the legal requirements are the same as if executing a "U" turn. Interestingly,
there are no legal requirements for positioning the vehicle for the "U" turn. For
the three point turn logic dictates the initial vehicle position to be as close
to the left of the road as possible.
Make sure the road is clear and give a right signal, move your vehicle slowly and
rotate the steering wheel to the right quickly, before reaching the right kerb return
the steering wheel to the left and stop, avoid touching the kerb as damage can occur
to the under body of your vehicle. Select reverse and check the road is clear, move
slowly backwards, before reaching the kerb rotate the steering wheel right and stop,
avoid touching the kerb, secure with the handbrake, select first gear, check the
road is still clear and move away slowly. If when completing your turn you encounter
another vehicle, courtesy dictates that the other driver should wait until you have
completed your turn, however some drivers forget manners at times.