Backing up safely — New Mexico Permit Test

Check behind your vehicle before you get in, because children or small objects cannot be seen from the driver's seat.

A small child behind the car is out of sight from inside, so the only safe look is the one you take on foot.

Children or small objects cannot be seen from the driver’s seat.

When backing, put your right arm on the back of the seat and turn so you can look directly through the rear window; do not depend on your mirrors.

Mirrors cannot show what is right behind your car, so you need to look back with your own eyes.

Place your right arm on the back of the seat and turn around so that you can look directly through the rear window.

Back slowly; your vehicle is much harder to steer while you are backing.

In reverse the car turns in ways that feel backward, so small mistakes grow fast at speed.

Back slowly; your vehicle is much harder to steer while you are backing.

Try to do as little backing as possible; in a shopping center, find a parking space you can drive through so you can drive forward when you leave.

Driving forward out of a space means you can see where you are going instead of backing blind.

In a shopping center, try to find a parking space you can drive through, so you can drive forward when you leave.

Whenever possible, use a person outside the vehicle to help you back.

Someone standing outside can see the low and close spots you cannot see from the seat.

Whenever possible, use a person outside the vehicle to help you back.

Why should you check behind your vehicle before you get in to back up?

Small children cannot be seen from the seat. A small child behind the car is out of sight from inside, so the only safe look is the one you take on foot. New Mexico Driver Manual, p.17: “Children or small objects cannot be seen from the driver’s seat.”