Peruuttelut

Peruuttelut is a Finnish term that refers to a group of driving maneuvers performed with the vehicle moving in reverse. The concept is used in driver education and, in many cases, in practical driving tests to assess a learner’s ability to control the car when it is not moving forward. Peruuttelut emphasize precision, slow speeds, and smooth control rather than speed or aggressive handling.

In Finnish driving training, peruuttelut cover a range of tasks aimed at improving spatial awareness and coordination. Learners practice keeping the vehicle aligned with a desired path while reversing, which helps when navigating tight spaces such as parking bays, driveways, or narrow streets. The practice typically starts with simpler straight-backward movements and progresses to more complex maneuvers that require steering to position the car correctly while the rear end is leading or trailing in relation to markers or obstacles.

Key elements of performing peruuttelut include the use of mirrors and shoulder checks for full awareness of surroundings, maintaining a controlled, low-speed pace, precise steering input, and timely braking. Safety considerations focus on avoiding sudden movements, ensuring sufficient clearance from objects and pedestrians, and signaling when appropriate during maneuvers.

Etymology and usage: the term peruuttelu derives from the verb peruuttaa, meaning to reverse, and the plural form peruuttelut refers to reverse-driving techniques as a category within driver education.