North Carolina DMV Practice Test 2026 - Free DMV Practice Questions and Study Guide

When backing your car, the recommended maximum speed is 5 mph. This speed is considered safe and allows the driver to maintain control while being attentive to the surroundings.

Moving at a slower pace while reversing is crucial because it gives the driver ample time to react to potential obstacles, pedestrians, or other vehicles that may suddenly appear. The risk of accidents increases significantly at higher speeds due to reduced reaction time and the difficulty in steering accurately in reverse.

While some other suggested speeds may seem reasonable, they do not prioritize safety to the same extent as maintaining a maximum of 5 mph, which is universally recognized as the safest speed for backing up.