Backing around a corner on the Washington state driving test

If you’re taking a driving test in Washington state, you’ll have to back around a corner. This is called the backing maneuver or just simply “backing”. The backing maneuver tests your ability to control the car and use proper vision when you’re driving in reverse. This maneuver is usually conducted on a quiet residential street or a street with low traffic.
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[@vanessarodriguez9079]

i went way too wide on this one and still passed y'all don't doubt yourself you'll get your license!

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

Congratulations Vanessa! And you make an excellent point: going to wide on the backing maneuver is only a 4 point deduction. You can bomb on this maneuver and if you do well on most of the rest of the test, you will still pass!

[@suylyath2658]

@@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442My instructor failed me immediately when I went too wide

[@oh-kade]

thank you

[@vanessarodriguez9079]

@@toastishush pretty wide lol I got docked 4 points, passed with a 92 overall. Don’t worry, just make sure you are good with stop lines, signaling and parking

[@KuujoLost]

i failed and got 71 points

[@chelseyalcala6685]

mans didn’t even make a second stop👁👄👁

[@NetworthDividends]

He made a stop for pedestrians and cars

[@nguyeneric4576]

@@NetworthDividends You need to make 2 stops...

[@prod.y6me]

@@nguyeneric4576 when do you make your second stop?

[@mattiejones234]

@@prod.y6me the first is before the sidewalk, and the second is when you’re entering the road

[@prod.y6me]

@@mattiejones234 thanks i passed my test 2 weeks ago!!

[@mariobetancourt4085]

I passed my driving test on Monday 86 percent overall. I'm really happy that I passed it and did practice the test procedure days before the actual test.

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

Awesome, great job and congratulations!

[@Ethanjones23]

Very instructional

[@grantmoore9753]

Woot imma try it

[@humanspider4098]

Taking test this Sunday

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

Good luck, you've got this!

[@michellewanless862]

taking my test Friday morning..... fingers crossed

[@rain3422]

Did u pass

[@maxrichardson6068]

well?

[@BabyKylis]

Did you pass?

[@itsreason3238]

well?

[@PiLLO360]

Well?

[@kyathhge9525]

taking my test tmrw please wish me luck !

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

Good luck on your test!

[@kyathhge9525]

@@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442 thanks! I passed!

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

@@kyathhge9525 Great job!

[@kobyjohnson9766]

Is there a certain amount you turn your steering wheel when you turn to back around the corner ?

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

Not really. The amount you turn your steering wheel is different at each corner, depending on the size and shape of the corner and the vehicle you're driving. What you want to pay attention to are your visual reference points as you look out the rear window, so you can learn what it looks like when you're close to the curb and in the right place. It's good to practice backing around a variety of different corners.

[@philipcurran7273]

this is my biggest worry for the test any tips? ive got the test in two days.

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

Sure! Practice as much as you possibly can. Over the next couple of days, use your imagination to try to visualize yourself taking the test and calmly and successfully performing each step of the maneuver. If you feel nervous, take some deep breaths. And get a good night sleep the night before. Good luck, you've got this!

[@Alicia_Shorty]

I'm taking my test on Sunday, September 11th. My parents won't let me practice this because they say it's "illegal". 😡

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

It's not illegal in Washington state, but you can practice it by backing out of a driveway to the right, and then continue backing in a straight line along the curb for 3-4 car lengths.

[@ididthisforreddit2428]

im taking my test on august 12th

[@johnclabaugh9997]

Good luck on your test!

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

How did your test go, did you pass?

[@nathanieljocson9956]

What should i be practicing to be prepared for the test?

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

Well, the major maneuvers are parallel parking, parking on a hill, backing around the corner, and starting and merging into traffic. You can get an overview of the basics in my free email course about how to pass the WA driving test: washingtonstatedrivingtest.com/free-course/

[@SmartWentCrazy]

Is this the same for all of Washington?

[@Anonymous-um3im]

Is it mandatory that I have to put my hand behind the passenger seat ? Can I just use my side view mirror and look back a few times ?

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

You have to turn around and look out the rear window, not the side mirrors, whenever you're driving in reverse. It's OK to occasionally glance at the side mirrors to check your distance from the curb, but if you're mostly using the side mirrors then you'll get a 4 point deduction. Most examiners are pretty strict about that one. Putting your hand behind the passenger seat opens up your posture, which makes it easier to keep your head turned around without straining your neck.

[@Anonymous-um3im]

@@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442 ok thank you for the quick response ! Another question if I don’t pass the Parallel will I automatically fail the test ?

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

@@Anonymous-um3im No, the maximum point deduction for parallel parking is only 4 points. Just be sure to avoid the automatic failures washingtonstatedrivingtest.com/automatic-fails/. Good luck!

[@Anonymous-um3im]

@@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442 thank you so much !

[@Azaanali190]

will be taking test tomorrow praying i get pass.

[@itsreason3238]

did u pass?

[@Azaanali190]

@@itsreason3238 yes

[@Wristcutangel]

Test today >_< will update later im so scared

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

You've got this Charon! Take a few deep breaths and relax. It helps to do some creative visualization: close your eyes and imagine yourself doing all of the maneuvers perfectly on the test. It helps! Good luck!

[@brycebuckley6012]

test tmrw

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

Good luck!

[@chibuezedurueke1868]

Is it okay to back with one hand on the steering?

[@johnclabaugh9997]

Yes it is.

[@avanquerll19]

I got practice exam tomorrow 🥹

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

Good luck!

[@authorbat5562]

I’m a fucking idiot. This is so simple yet I couldn’t do it right and it automatically failed me…

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

Nah, you just had a bad day that's all. It happens. It's actually a challenging maneuver to do correctly. Shake it off, keep practicing and you'll get there. You could try the creative visualization method I described in another comment. Imagine yourself performing the maneuver easily and perfectly, over and over again. It sounds silly but it works!

[@lancecpldave]

I dont understand the point of this.

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

Well, think of it like you're backing out of a driveway or something. They want to make sure you're looking around like you're supposed to and see if you swing too wide into the road when you do it. Then they have you drive backwards in a straight line to see if you can maintain control when driving in reverse.

[@lancecpldave]

@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442 that's funny I asked my daughter if it was supposed to be backing out of a driveway onto the road or something. So is your ending position on the side of the road in an on road barking position. Or in the lane like a driving position

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

@@lancecpldave For the test you will end up in a parked position. They want you to be within 18 inches of the curb for the entire maneuver.

[@lancecpldave]

@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442 thanks. Is it also 18 in for the parallel park?

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

For parallel parking you need to be within 12 inches of the curb. You're welcome!

[@yuleydagarcia5568]

No sirve para nada ese vídeo

[@TheKingkirb]

For what purpose lol Coming around a corner reversing the wrong way into traffic. Proof the government is trying to kill you :P The right thing to do is drive around the block and park your car like a normal person what stooges came up with this?

[@washingtonstatedrivingtest3442]

That's an interesting take, you make a great point lol. It's not a maneuver you use very often in real life, the closest thing to it is backing out of a driveway. I think it is in the test just so the examiner can assess how well you can control the car when driving in reverse. But, yeah, definitely not the safest thing to do especially when there is traffic.