After performing near perfect reversing all through my course last week - it was the one part I wasnt worried about -, I failed on my reverse yesterday I think I started off not close enough to the left cone, couldnt seem to get the offside front wheel away from the yellow line and it all went pear shaped from there I had a head in hands moment then continued with the rest of the test and only got 4 minors on the drive.
Iām annoyed at myself really, nerves perhaps?
The examiner seemed genuinely disappointed for me and my instructor was amazed Iād screwed the reverse up, as was I.
Waiting to hear about a retest asap, then back on the horse
MrsMac:
After performing near perfect reversing all through my course last week - it was the one part I wasnt worried about -, I failed on my reverse yesterday I think I started off not close enough to the left cone, couldnt seem to get the offside front wheel away from the yellow line and it all went pear shaped from there I had a head in hands moment then continued with the rest of the test and only got 4 minors on the drive.
Iām annoyed at myself really, nerves perhaps?
The examiner seemed genuinely disappointed for me and my instructor was amazed Iād screwed the reverse up, as was I.
Waiting to hear about a retest asap, then back on the horse
Thanks ROG, and dave_890, I just thought āwell, Iāve come this far and have nothing to lose by seeing how well/badly I would have done if Iād not cocked the reverse upā
I was so close to hitting a cone, I wasnāt aware I was able to pull forward so I didnāt move it, but I did, straightened up and reversed, got 1 minor for the reverse but passed with 7 minors, if the reverse isnāt going well pull forward straighten up and reverse in.
Hi passed my class 2 yesterday, not trying to rub it in
With my reversing i was very confident with so i tried several different ways,
just turned the steering wheel 1 whole turn exactly (left hand down) and took longer to see the cones but a good 1 and 1/2 foot away from line so did not need to worry about the line just used my mirrors, just more of a swing round after cones to straighten up.
exactly same as above but turned steering wheel 1 full turn and about an extra 5" just a bit more and this was about 1 foot away from line and saw cones sooner. perfect because you donāt have to worry about your line as you will never hit it.
Just try this with your instructor worked wonders takes that worry away, even though i am ok going 1 and 1/2 turns and right up to the line.
Thanks jaybpool, Iāll give your suggestions a go I never missed a beat during training, got it right everytime, but somehow I just went wrong on the test!
Bummer MrsMac. I nearly fluffed the reverse too after getting it right every time during training, itās just nerves. Now that you have some test experiance youāll hopefully nail it next time.
MrsMac:
Thanks jaybpool, Iāll give your suggestions a go I never missed a beat during training, got it right every time, but somehow I just went wrong on the test!
I was the same fine on all reverses. so on last day i just asked if i could try one turn etc and instructor was yes no probs what everās best for you. so i tried one full turn and fine, but i found one full turn and about 5 inch more to about 20 past if you will was fine took me to about one foot away so not so nervous as when you get to an inch or so from the line. So i was able to look more in mirrors and just a few looks down at the front wheel and not have those butterflies lol.
The advice given is correct. BUT the most important bit, which hasnāt been mentioned, is the importance of the start position at A cones. The examiner will show you a diagram of the exercise. Ignore it. It shows the vehicle positioned centrally between the A cones. Whilst it can be done, this makes life more challenging than it need be. The secret is to position as far to the left and as far forward as possible.
The most common fault, after this, is failing to steer immediately. Amazing that folks will put loads of effort into getting within an inch of A cones and then reverse in a perfectly straight line for some distance before steering left to get it round B cone! You must steer straight away.
Another fact that few trainers are aware of and consequently are unable to pass on: if you arrive a A cones and realise youāre not as far to the left as you should be, simply tell the examiner youāre going to re-position. Then reverse towards the parked position where you started and line up again. There is NO penalty for this as the exercise only starts when you start reversing around B cone.
At any point after youāve started the exercise, you can take up to 2 shunts (forward movements). If you need to take a shunt, make it count. No point in going forward 3 feet when you can go 15 feet and make life easier. You can go forward to a point level with A cones during any shunt. Donāt, under any circumstances, go past A cones but donāt be frightened of using all the available space - - just as you would in the āreal worldā.
Final point: always get out and check the stop position. If you need to move it back to get into position, this is NOT a shunt and there is no penalty for it. So, if in any doubt, stop short, get out and check then move it back if you need to. Just like the āreal worldā again.
Have my test Monday, did some reversing on Wed and just couldnāt get it right really bugged me because I can do it easily when im not nervous. Did some more practice today and used the two shunts where I needed too( After a few goes didnāt really need to use them). I found I was trying to get as close to the yellow line as possible but then was too worried about crossing it so ended up concentrating on it to much. Today I stayed a little bit away from the yellow line so as that I had a little space for error and it took the pressure off.
Also donāt forget about your two shunts I felt when I took into consideration I had these too correct myself it helped so much. Just my tupence hope it helps
Owen:
Have my test Monday, did some reversing on Wed and just couldnāt get it right really bugged me because I can do it easily when im not nervous. Did some more practice today and used the two shunts where I needed too( After a few goes didnāt really need to use them). I found I was trying to get as close to the yellow line as possible but then was too worried about crossing it so ended up concentrating on it to much. Today I stayed a little bit away from the yellow line so as that I had a little space for error and it took the pressure off.
Also donāt forget about your two shunts I felt when I took into consideration I had these too correct myself it helped so much. Just my tupence hope it helps
Oh god, the cat C reverse - Iāve been a victim of that old chestnut. Nerves completely shafted me. Despite the fact that when you look at it, itās so easy to correct yourself, in the moment, your brain scrambles, nothing makes sense anymore and you end up doing something disastrous. I share your pain.
It sounds like your driving was bob on, so as you say, back on the horse and crack on with it. Youāll crack it next time.
Thanks Endgame - and everyone else who has responded - I could have kicked myself to be honest, I didnt have a problem all week, then blew it on the day
Retest is booked for later this month, the morning will be spent familiarising myself with the truck I was taught in, then the test in the afternoon.
I think I started off not close enough to the left cone, couldnt seem to get the offside front wheel away from the yellow line and it all went pear shaped from there 
I had a head in hands moment then continued with the rest of the test and only got 4 minors on the drive.
