Semitrailer Reversing

Semitrailer reversing training teaches drivers how to reverse an articulated truck safely and accurately. An articulated truck is a tractor unit or prime mover towing a semitrailer. 

DT Training's online course covers mirror setup, site checks, straight-line reversing, reversing around corners, dock reversing, serpentine reversing and jackknifing. TR Driver Training's heavy vehicle instructors present it in nine short video modules. Drivers get a certificate of achievement when they finish.

Truck reversing accidents are common worldwide. An analysis of almost 80,000 fleet insurance claims found reversing was involved in 19% of heavy commercial vehicle claims, more than any other incident type. University of Huddersfield research puts reversing at a quarter to a third of reported freight vehicle collisions, and most are never reported. In the UK, nearly a quarter of deaths involving workplace vehicles happen during reversing (Health and Safety Executive).

Most reversing accidents happen at walking pace and can be prevented. Good setup, a clear plan and the Get Out And Look (GOAL) habit all help. The semitrailer reversing course teaches all three.

The semitrailer reversing course is for anyone who reverses a semitrailer or guides one in. This includes:

• drivers moving up a vehicle licence class, e.g. Class 4 to 5 (NZ), Heavy Rigid to Heavy Combination (AU), Category C to Category C+E (UK), Class B to Class A CDL (USA), etc
• truck and trailer drivers who want semitrailer work
• experienced semitrailer drivers who want a refresher
• yard teams who shunt trailers or guide drivers in
• supervisors who coach and check driver technique
• diesel mechanics and trailer builders who move units around their yard

The semitrailer reversing course suits drivers worldwide, anywhere a tractor unit tows a semitrailer. In Australia, this is a prime mover and trailer. In the UK, it is an articulated lorry. The trucks in the course are right-hand drive. In left-hand drive countries, the driver's side and the blind side are swapped, so drivers reverse the left and right instructions.

The semitrailer reversing course teaches the skills drivers need to reverse safely and accurately. Drivers learn:

• the swept path, off-tracking and swing-out
• where the blind spots are and how to reduce them
• how to set up for the safest reversing path
• reversing in a straight line and around a corner
• reversing onto a loading dock
• serpentine reversing
• when jackknifing may be needed, and its risks
• reversing trailers with a steering rear axle

No. This course is specifically about semitrailers. A truck and trailer with a drawbar reacts differently when reversing and needs different techniques. If you drive a truck and trailer, do our Truck and Trailer Reversing and Jackknifing course. Drivers who work with both combinations often do both courses.

Yes. Reversing is part of the licence training process in many countries. For example, the Class 5 licence assessment in New Zealand. On an approved Class 5 course, drivers must reverse a combination vehicle in a straight line and through a 90-degree turn (NZQA unit standard 17577).

Most licence courses give you little time to practise this. The semitrailer reversing course shows you how to set up, how to correct trailer drift and how to recover from a misjudged turn. You'll get more out of your practical lessons.

No law in New Zealand names semitrailer reversing training for existing drivers. But employers must give workers the training they need to work safely. This is in the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 (section 36). Reversing is one of the riskiest tasks a truck driver does. The semitrailer reversing course gives a business a simple, recorded way to train its drivers.

For Class licences, drivers must be able to reverse a semitrailer or truck and trailer to pass, so training is suggested.

Yes, you can learn the theory of semitrailer reversing online, and the theory is where most drivers go wrong. Nothing replaces practice in the cab. But most reversing mistakes come from not knowing why the trailer moves the way it does, or from starting without a plan. The course explains both. Each module takes 2 to 7 minutes. A driver can watch one on their phone, then try it in the truck straight away.

Yes. Buy one semitrailer reversing course licence per driver, then assign the course, track who has finished, download certificates and run reports from one account. You can add more managers at no extra cost. Drivers do the course on their own phone or tablet, so there's no need to take a truck off the road for the theory. Setup is free, whether you buy one licence or a hundred.

Yes. The semitrailer reversing course is online only, but TR Driver Training can organise in-cab reversing training with an instructor. TR Driver Training has 10 branches, from Auckland to Dunedin, subject to branch and trainer availability. Call 0800 637 000 to find out more. Many companies use the online course first, so drivers arrive already knowing the techniques.

Yes. Drivers get a certificate of achievement when they finish the semitrailer reversing course. It shows they have completed the online training. It is not a driver licence, an endorsement or a unit standard.

Semitrailer reversing pairs well with Pre-trip inspection, Trailer coupling and uncoupling and Heavy vehicle load security. Together they cover the daily tasks a semitrailer driver is most likely to get wrong: checking the vehicle, hooking up the trailer, securing the load and putting it on the dock.

The semitrailer reversing course takes around 45 minutes, depending on the trainee. Drivers can do it in one sitting or spread the modules over several days.

• You will need one course licence per driver taking the course. You can't use one licence for multiple drivers.
• You will need a computer, smartphone or tablet with internet access to take the theory training.
• There are no prerequisites. Anyone can do the course, but it helps to have a semitrailer to practise on.

Yes. The semitrailer reversing course has language and literacy support:

• Video subtitles: available in 25 languages. Choose the language in the video.
• Questions: can be viewed in 76 languages. Check the language option at the top of the page.
• Question audio: every question has an audio recording in English.
• Some captions are AI-generated and may have occasional errors.