Theory topic 9 · Düsseldorf
Topic 9: Observation & manoeuvres
Topic 9 is about the habit you need every time you drive: look early, understand what's happening around you and only then make your move. Moving off, changing lanes, overtaking, turning round and reversing each have their own set of safety checks, and you learn them one by one.
- In class
- 90 minutes, as often as you like
- This is topic 9 of 14. You can come to this double lesson as many times as you like.
- Flexible times
- 8 theory classes a week
- Lessons run on six days a week. The 14 topics follow on from each other in a loop, so you simply join at the next lesson.
- Three languages
- German, English, Arabic
- Lessons are taught in German. If something isn't clear, you can ask in English or Arabic.
What you learn
What topic 9 covers
This is what's on the plan in the lesson, and it's what the theory test (Theorieprüfung) will ask you about.
- The three steps of mirrors, indicator and shoulder check, and why they come in that order
- How to check your blind spot properly
- When you may overtake and when you may not, depending on the view, the road markings and the signs
- How to change lanes and merge safely
- How to turn the car round in town and outside town
- How to reverse and park safely
- How to move off safely, for example from the kerb or on a hill
The key rules
What you need to know for sure
A lot of the test questions on this topic come back to these points.
Mirrors, indicator, shoulder check
Before you change lanes, turn or overtake, check your interior mirror and your door mirror first, then indicate in good time. Just before you move, look over your shoulder into the blind spot (the Schulterblick). That's what the StVO asks of you: you give other drivers enough warning, and you check the traffic behind you one last time right before you go.
Only overtake when you can see far enough
You must be able to see the whole stretch you need for overtaking, plus a safety margin. You may not overtake on bends, on the brow of a hill, at level crossings or at zebra crossings, even if there's no sign telling you so.
Merging in turn where a lane ends
When a road narrows, for example at roadworks or where a lane suddenly ends, the zip merge (Reißverschlussverfahren) applies. You stay in your lane until it ends and then merge, taking turns with the cars in the other lane. Moving across too early slows the traffic down for everyone.
Keep everything in view when reversing
When you reverse, you must make sure nobody can be put in danger, and if necessary you get someone to guide you. If you can't see the area behind the car, get out and look first, especially for children, animals and low obstacles. While you reverse, look over your right shoulder and use both door mirrors. A reversing camera helps, but it doesn't replace looking for yourself.
Only turn round if nobody is put at risk
You may not turn round on motorways or Kraftfahrstraßen (roads for motor vehicles only), in tunnels, or wherever a 'No U-turn' sign is up. In a one-way street you may only drive in the direction of the arrow, so you can't turn round there either. Anywhere else you may only turn if you can rule out any danger to others, and on a stretch where you can't see far, that's hardly possible.
Common mistakes
Where the test often trips people up
In these places a question often means something different from what it seems to say when you read it quickly.
- Forgetting the shoulder check
- Your mirrors don't show the blind spot. That's why the shoulder check is part of the manoeuvre and can't be left out.
- Indicating after you've started to steer
- The indicator has to come before the manoeuvre, otherwise the driver behind has no time to react. If you don't indicate in good time, you can be fined.
- Getting the zip merge wrong
- Many people think it's polite to move over early. In fact the law says you merge at the end of your own lane.
- Overtaking just before a bend
- Once you can see a bend coming, you may not start to overtake. You can't overtake on the brow of a hill either, because you can't see far enough.
Sample questions
What the questions in the theory test look like
Click on a question to see the answer. You can practise the full set of official questions with our learning app.
You want to change lanes on the motorway. In what order do you do things?
When do you have to use the zip merge?
What do you check before you reverse in a residential street?
In the driving lesson
Where you'll meet topic 9 again in the car
Mirrors, indicator and shoulder check should become automatic while you drive: when you merge, when you change lanes in heavy traffic and when you reverse. Turning the car round in a tight space by going forwards and backwards can come up in the practical test as one of the basic manoeuvres.
Questions and answers
Common questions about topic 9
Short answers to questions around this topic.
Where am I allowed to overtake?
What happens if I forget the shoulder check and have an accident?
Do I have to indicate when I pull away from the side of the road?
Can I reverse on the motorway?
When is turning round not allowed?
Registration
Come along to the theory lessons
Pre-register online, with no obligation. Once your registration has gone through, you join at the next lesson, whichever topic is on that day.
Or just drop by
- Phone
- 0211 21098911
- Mon–Fri
- 10:30–19:00
- Sat
- 10:00–15:00
- Sun
- Closed
Read on
Related topics and pages
- Topic 4: Roads & level crossingsHow roads, special lanes and level crossings are laid out.
- Topic 7: The people you share the road withChildren, older people, cyclists and everyone else who needs extra care.
- Topic 10: Stopping & parkingStopping, parking, no-stopping zones and what to watch for when you get out.
- Class BThe car licence.
- Class B197Learn in an automatic, drive a manual too.
- Intensive courseAll the theory lessons on consecutive days.
