🔙 Driving in reverse
New Jersey's road test asks you to back the vehicle about 100 feet in a straight line, slowly and smoothly. The examiner is watching your body as much as the car: the manual wants your head and upper body turned to see through the rear window — mirrors alone don't count, even though backup cameras have been permitted since 2016.
What the examiner is watching for
- ✓Head and body turned to the right, looking through the back window without relying on mirrors
- ✓Right hand and arm over the back of the front passenger seat, left hand on top of the wheel
- ✓Walking speed — the manual says 2 to 4 mph — held steadily for the full distance
- ✓The car tracks straight, with small corrections rather than swings
Step by step
- 1Check that the path behind is clear using the mirrors AND by turning to look.
- 2Turn your head and body to the right until you can see clearly through the rear window.
- 3Place your right arm over the back of the passenger seat, left hand grasping the top of the wheel.
- 4Creep backward at walking speed — 2 to 4 mph — for the full distance.
- 5Make only small steering corrections; in reverse, turning the wheel right sends the rear right.
- 6Stop fully before turning to face forward again.
Mistakes that cost points
- ✗Watching the mirrors or the backup camera instead of turning to look — the principles come first
- ✗Palming the wheel with one hand while turning in reverse, which the manual says can fail the road test
- ✗Backing too fast, so small errors become weaves
- ✗Turning to face forward while the car is still rolling
The other 5 skills NJ grades
FullPass is an independent study aid. Road-test guidance is written from official MVC test requirements; your examiner and the Motor Vehicle Commission remain the final authority.