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California driving lesson · Vehicle Control Basics

Steering methods

A 2-minute lesson from the California course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
2 minutes
Course unit
Vehicle Control Basics
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
15, 16

Keeping both hands on the wheel whenever possible gives you the most control. The handbook teaches three methods, and each has a specific use.

Hand-to-hand (push/pull) steering

Hands stay at 9 and 3 o'clock or 8 and 4 o'clock and never cross over the middle of the wheel, even in turns.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Hand-to-hand steering steps:

  • 1. Start with your hands at 9 and 3 o'clock or 8 and 4 o'clock
  • 2. Do not cross your hands over the middle of the steering wheel
  • 3. Keep your hands in these positions, even when making turns
Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

Use hand-over-hand steering when you turn at low speeds, park, or need to recover from a skid.

Handbook p. 16 ↗

Hand-over-hand steering steps:

  • 1. Start with your hands at 8 and 4 o'clock
  • 2. Reach across the steering wheel to grasp the opposite side
  • 3. Let go of the steering wheel with your other hand
  • 4. Reach across the arm still holding the wheel, grip the wheel, and pull up
Handbook p. 16 ↗

Only two situations may require one-hand steering:

  • Turning while backing up to see behind you: hand at 12 o'clock
  • Operating vehicle controls that require you to remove a hand from the wheel
Handbook p. 16 ↗
12 o'clock

Hand position for one-hand steering while backing and turning

Handbook p. 16 ↗

Put it into practice

You're backing out of a driveway and need to turn to see behind you. Turn your body, place one hand at 12 o'clock on the wheel, and steer while looking where you are going.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

Where do you start your hands for hand-to-hand (push/pull) steering?
  1. 9 and 3 o'clock or 8 and 4 o'clock
  2. 12 and 6 o'clock
  3. 10 and 2 o'clock only
  4. 11 and 1 o'clock

Answer: 9 and 3 o'clock or 8 and 4 o'clock

Hand-to-hand steering starts with hands at 9 and 3 o'clock or 8 and 4 o'clock.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
When should you use hand-over-hand steering?
  1. Turning at highway speeds
  2. Turning at low speeds, parking, or skid recovery
  3. Changing lanes on a freeway
  4. Driving straight in strong wind

Answer: Turning at low speeds, parking, or skid recovery

Hand-over-hand steering is used for low-speed turns, parking, or recovering from a skid.

Handbook p. 16 ↗
When backing up and turning to see where you're going, where should you place your steering hand?
  1. At the 6 o'clock position
  2. At the 10 o'clock position
  3. At the 12 o'clock position
  4. At the 9 o'clock position

Answer: At the 12 o'clock position

When turning while backing up to see behind you, place your hand at the 12 o'clock position.

Handbook p. 16 ↗
According to the handbook, how many situations may require one-hand steering?
  1. Three
  2. Four
  3. None; one-hand steering is never allowed
  4. Two

Answer: Two

The handbook lists only two situations that may require one-hand steering: backing up while turning, or operating a control that requires removing a hand.

Handbook p. 16 ↗
What should you avoid doing with your hands during hand-to-hand steering?
  1. Keeping hands at 9 and 3 o'clock
  2. Crossing hands over the wheel's center
  3. Keeping hands at 8 and 4 o'clock
  4. Keeping hands in place while turning

Answer: Crossing hands over the wheel's center

During hand-to-hand steering, do not cross your hands over the middle of the wheel.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
Hand-over-hand steering should be used at high highway speeds instead of low speeds.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

Hand-over-hand steering is meant for low-speed turns, parking, or skid recovery, not high-speed driving.

Handbook p. 16 ↗
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