Backing moving forward and stopping — Tennessee Permit Test

Common mistakes when backing are moving too fast, steering too much and turning the wheel the wrong way.

In reverse, small wheel moves swing the car a lot, so too much speed or steering puts you into a pole.

Common mistakes committed by new drivers when backing are (a) moving too fast, (b) providing too much steering input and (c) turning the steering wheel in the wrong direction.

When backing, grasp the steering wheel at the 12 o'clock position with your left hand.

With your body turned to look back, one hand at the top of the wheel is the hand you can still steer with.

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

When backing, look over your shoulder through the rear window for a safe, clear path, and keep looking back until you have fully stopped.

A child or a bike can come into your path at any moment, even after you start rolling.

Continue looking to the rear until coming to a complete stop.

When backing, turn the wheel to the right to back to the right, and to the left to back to the left.

Turn the wrong way and the back of the car swings toward the very thing you meant to miss.

Turn the wheel to the right to back to the right; turn to the left to back to the left.

When moving forward, look at least 1 block ahead and steer toward a reference point.

Looking just over the hood makes you weave and leaves no time to see trouble coming.

Look at least one block ahead and steer toward a reference point.

Plan ahead for smooth stops: press the brake with steady pressure and do not stomp on it.

A sudden stomp can surprise the driver behind you, and rear-end crashes are the most common kind in Tennessee.

Press down on the brake pedal with a steady pressure for a smooth stop.

Rear-end collisions are the most common type of accident in Tennessee.

Most crashes are someone hitting the car in front. Smooth, early stops keep you out of that group.

Like most states, Tennessee reports that rear-end collisions are the most common type of accident recorded annually.

When stopping at a curb to park, move to within 18 inches of the curb.

Parked too far out, your car sticks into the lane and passing traffic can clip it.

If stopping at a curb, move to within 18 inches of the curb for proper parking.

Which is a common mistake new drivers make when backing up?

Moving too fast. In reverse, small wheel moves swing the car a lot, so too much speed or steering puts you into a pole. Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual, p.29: “Common mistakes committed by new drivers when backing are (a) moving too fast, (b) providing too much steering input and (c) turning the steering wheel in the wrong direction.”