Piano Guidance
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How far can you legally reverse?

No more than a car's length Sometimes you may need to reverse further than a car's length, such as on a single track lane where you need to find a passing point. As such, you are permitted to reverse as far as you need but no further.

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Explanation: You mustn't reverse further than is necessary. You may decide to turn your vehicle around by reversing into an opening or side road. When you reverse, always look all around you, and watch for pedestrians. Don't reverse from a side road into a main road. You are allowed to reverse as far as necessary but no further. This is because what is necessary will vary on different roads. For example, on single-track lanes, you may need to reverse a long way to find a suitable passing point. You are also permitted to reverse in order to turn your vehicle around. However, you should proceed with extra caution when doing so. Carefully look all around you and look out for pedestrians. Even if you have reversing aids such as camera systems and sensors, you still need to carry out your usual checks. You should also never reverse from a side road out on to a main road as this could be very dangerous.

Why shouldn’t you reverse further than is necessary?

There are numerous reasons why you should not reverse your vehicle any further than necessary. Reasons include, but are not restricted to, the following examples:

It is more difficult to see the way you are going

It is easier to put yourself into difficulties because your steering has a greater effect

It is harder to see potential hazards

You will potentially be moving towards approaching traffic

Theory Test Question

So, have you answered the theory test question: Over what distance are you allowed to reverse? Let’s take each answer in turn and check your understanding:

As far as it takes to reverse around a corner

Wrong! You should only reverse as far as you need to. If you need to turn around, this can be done safely using an opening and does not require you to reverse as far as the nearest corner.

The length of a residential street

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Wrong! Residential streets will vary in length which would make this a difficult rule to follow. When reversing, you should only go as far as is necessary and no further.

No more than a car’s length

Wrong! Sometimes you may need to reverse further than a car’s length, such as on a single track lane where you need to find a passing point. As such, you are permitted to reverse as far as you need but no further.

No further than is necessary

Correct! You can reverse as far as you need to. However, it is important to stress that you should not reverse for longer than necessary due to the additional risks associated with reversing.

References

In section 9 of the official DVSA guide to driving, it states:

All-round observation is just as important when you’re reversing as it is when you’re going forward. Check for other road users before you reverse; motorcycles, cyclists and pedestrians are more difficult to see.

Check to the rear, particularly for children playing behind the vehicle.

Check all round – forward, behind, over both shoulders and in all mirrors. Do this before you reverse.

If in doubt, get out and check.

Keep checking all the time you’re moving backwards, particularly behind you and to the sides, and especially at the point of turning. Always be ready to stop. Remember also never to reverse into a main road from a side road to make sure it’s safe to reverse, even if that means getting help not to reverse for a long distance, for your own safety and for that of other people. It’s an offence to reverse further than necessary

to always be ready to give way and stop.

Rule 203 of the Highway Code states:

You MUST NOT reverse your vehicle further than necessary. Law CUR reg 106

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