360 degree observation or 6 point Check
The meaning of 360 Observation in driving:
A 360 observation, also known as a 6 point check is a vital all around check that is performed before manoeuvring.
For example: Imagine you are parked by the side of the road. Before you move away you should make sure your aware of everything around you. If you are parked on the left side of the road, you should look over your left shoulder first, then your left door mirror, then look ahead. Then you should check your interior mirror, right door mirror and then finally before releasing the handbrake you should look over your right shoulder. The right shoulder is the most important check and on your test this is the observation the examiner will be looking out for the most.
If you are reversing then you would normally start with looking over your right shoulder and finish looking over your left shoulder as that is the direction you want to look into as you move backwards.
Right Shoulder Check
The meaning of Right Shoulder Check:
Right Shoulder Checks are a vital part of driving. A right shoulder check should always be performed as part of the 360 Observation before moving off. The idea of looking over your right shoulder is to ensure there is nothing in your blind spot. Also a right shoulder check is an essential check before changing lanes. If you are going to overtake a vehicle you would normally perform a right shoulder check after you have signalled.
Blind Spots
The meaning of Blind Spots:
The blind spot is the area that isn’t covered in either the interior mirror or the door mirror. The interior mirror gives you a true picture of what is behind you and the door mirrors make images appear further away. This leaves a gap known as the ‘blind spot’. The only way you can ensure nothing is there is by performing a shoulder check, as you can see in the diagram taken from the highway code.
See Highway Code rule 159: Check the blind spot before moving off