How to Back Up a Truck and Trailer (Straight, Offset, Alley Dock)
Updated June 2026
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Backing trips up more new drivers than anything else. The trick is going slow, using your mirrors, and remembering one simple steering rule. Here's how the three tested maneuvers work.
The steering rule
When backing, steer toward the mirror you want the trailer to move toward — or think of it as pushing the bottom of the wheel in the direction you want the rear of the trailer to go. Small inputs. Over-steering is the number-one mistake.
Golden habits
- GOAL — Get Out And Look. Check your path before and during the back.
- Go slow. Idle speed. You can always correct if you're slow.
- Use pull-ups. Pulling forward to fix your angle is allowed and smart — a couple of pull-ups beats hitting something (on the test they cost few points; a hit fails you).
- Favor the driver's side so you can see.
Straight-line backing
Back in a straight line between two rows of cones. Keep the trailer straight by making tiny corrections: if the trailer drifts toward one mirror, steer slightly toward that same mirror to bring it back, then straighten.
Offset back
Back the rig into a lane one over from where you started (left or right). You steer toward the target lane, let the trailer set its angle, then counter-steer to straighten it into the box. It's essentially a controlled drift over one lane.
Alley dock (90°)
Back into a space at a 90-degree angle, like a loading dock. Set up wide, begin turning the trailer into the alley early, and chase the trailer with the tractor — steering to keep the rig following the curve into the space. Use pull-ups to reset your angle as needed.
Practice in an empty lot. Once the steering rule clicks and you slow down, backing gets far easier.
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Frequently asked questions
Which way do I turn the wheel when backing a trailer?
Steer toward the side you want the rear of the trailer to go. Pushing the bottom of the wheel toward that side is an easy way to remember it.
Are pull-ups allowed on the CDL test?
Yes. Pull-ups cost only a few points and are far better than hitting a cone or line, which can fail the maneuver.