Nips back for a drive (4)
I believe the answer is:
spin
'for a drive' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'nips back' is the wordplay.
'back' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'nips' back-to-front is 'SPIN'.
(Other definitions for spin that I've seen before include "Give it a whirl" , "Twist or rotate" , "what some bowlers hope for" , "Political treatment by "doctor"" , "present information favourably" .)