Backing safely — Maine Permit Test

Before backing, check behind the vehicle before you get in, because children or small objects are hard to see from the driver's seat.

A small child playing behind a car is out of sight from the driver's seat.

Check behind the vehicle before you get in.

To back up, grasp the wheel at 12 o'clock with your left hand, put your right arm on the back of the passenger seat and look through the rear window.

Turning to look through the rear window shows you what the mirrors leave out.

Grasp the steering wheel at 12 o’clock with your left hand.

Do not depend only on your mirrors or a back-up camera while backing; mirrors do not show the area directly behind the vehicle and a camera gives a limited view.

A camera can miss a bike lying just off to the side of the bumper.

Your mirrors do not show the area directly behind your vehicle and a back-up camera provides a limited view so do not depend solely on your mirrors or a back-up camera while backing.

When backing, steer in the direction you want the rear of the vehicle to move.

Thinking about the front of the car while backing sends the rear the wrong way.

Steer in the direction you want the rear of the vehicle to move.

Back no faster than a slow walk, and keep looking to the rear until you are fully stopped.

Backing fast gives you no time to stop for a child who steps out behind the car.

Back no faster than a slow walk.

Do as little backing as possible; when entering a driveway or parking space, back into it unless signs forbid it, so you can drive forward when you pull out.

Pulling out forward lets you see the cars and people coming before you are in their path.

When entering a driveway or parking space, back into it unless signs forbid it.

When should you first check behind your vehicle before backing?

Before you get into the vehicle. A small child playing behind a car is out of sight from the driver's seat. Maine Driver’s License Manual, p.46: “Check behind the vehicle before you get in.”