Reversing 25 metres in the Turkish driving test

What the rule says

Under Article 34 of the regulation, the candidate reverses the car 25 metres inside a lane at most 3.5 metres wide (inner edge to inner edge), without the tyres touching the lane line or kerb, while following traffic rules.

It looks simple, but small steering inputs while reversing swing the back of the car more than you expect. Staying straight is the real challenge.

Step by step

The items on the assessment form also show the order the examiner expects:

1. Before moving off, check traffic in your mirrors and look over your shoulder into the blind spot.
2. Signal in time and in the right direction.
3. Select reverse and move off slowly.
4. While reversing, keep checking the traffic behind you in the mirrors or by turning round.
5. Make only very small steering corrections and complete the 25 metres without weaving inside the lane.

Red and yellow faults

On the “Reversing in a straight line · 25 metres” section of the form, these are red faults:

• Letting the car touch the lane lines or the bollards while reversing
• Not checking the traffic behind in the mirrors or by turning round while reversing
• Not checking traffic in the mirrors before moving off
• Not signalling in time or in the right direction when moving off

Yellow faults: failing to select reverse, weaving inside the lane, stalling, and no shoulder check before moving off. One red or two yellow faults mean a fail.

Tips for staying straight

The UK Highway Code (Rule 202) also advises reversing slowly and looking mainly through the rear window.

• Go slowly. The slower you are, the more time you have to correct.
• Turn the wheel only a little. When reversing, even a small input moves the back of the car noticeably.
• Do not lock your eyes on one spot. Move between the mirrors and the rear window; not checking traffic behind is a red fault.
• If you notice you are drifting, stop, correct and carry on. Touching a line is a red fault; going slowly and carefully is not a fault at all.

How to practise in Parking Trainer

The game has no 25-metre reversing course. But the core skill, controlling the car in the mirrors while reversing, is what you practise in reverse bay parking and parallel parking. In the driver camera the rear-view and side mirrors show the world live, and you can look over your right shoulder while reversing.