Build your manoeuvring confidence

Sammy Faircloth shares her experience of a Club training course.

For many people new to touring, the idea of manoeuvring a large vehicle can feel like the biggest barrier to getting started. Questions around safety, control and, perhaps most commonly, reversing can be enough to dent confidence before the journey has even begun.

That’s exactly why the training courses offered by the Caravan and Motorhome Club play such an important role in helping members build skills, knowledge and, crucially, confidence from the outset.

To understand what these courses are really like, I joined my friend Michele as she attended a recent manoeuvring course.

Starting with nerves—but the right motivation

Like many beginners, Michele arrived feeling a mixture of excitement and apprehension. Her main concern? Reversing.

“I was really nervous,” she admitted, “and a little bit excited, but I was scared I was going to do it wrong.”

Her decision to attend the course was simple: she wanted to learn how to reverse safely, and had heard positive feedback about the Club’s training. It’s where many begin —wanting reassurance before heading out on the road.

Learning the foundations

The course begins with an introductory session covering vehicle suitability, outfit matching, loading, legal requirements and safety checks.
Moving into the practical side, key elements such as general safety procedures are covered - ensuring drivers are not only capable, but safe and compliant, with expert guidance helping to build confidence.

Tackling the biggest challenge: reversing

For most, reversing is the skill that causes the most concern—and Michele was no exception.

One of the more challenging exercises involved reversing around a 90-degree turn on the blindside, where visibility is limited. “I couldn’t see a thing and relied on Will’s instruction,” she explained.

However, this is where structured training proves its value. With clear, calm guidance and time to practise, what initially feels daunting becomes manageable.
Michele found that once she understood how small steering inputs affect direction it began to make sense. “Once I got the hang of it, it was better than I thought,” she said.

Simple but effective advice also made a difference. One key tip that stayed with her was to drive slowly and use the mirrors.