Colorado driving lesson · Before You Drive & Basic Driving
Basic controls: starting, steering & backing
A 3-minute lesson from the Colorado course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Good habits with the basic controls make every maneuver smoother. The handbook gives specific positions for your feet and hands, and a step-by-step method for backing up.
Know the rule
Whatever the make and model, have your right foot on the brake before starting the vehicle, then check the indicator lights and gauges.
To move off: look for a safe path, check for traffic and pedestrians to the sides and behind, signal, then press the accelerator gently with the ball of your foot, heel on the floor.
Hold the outside of the wheel with both hands at 3 and 9 o'clock or 4 and 8 o'clock. Grip firmly but gently with your fingers, thumbs up along the face of the wheel.
Mirrors don't show the area immediately behind your vehicle. Use a rear view camera in addition to looking over your shoulder and using mirrors, not instead of it.
You're backing out of your driveway and want the car's rear to swing toward the left. Look over your right shoulder through the rear window and steer slightly left, the way you want the back to move.
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.
What are the recommended hand positions for steering-wheel control?
6 and 12 o'clock
3 and 9 o'clock, or 4 and 8 o'clock
10 and 2 o'clock
12 o'clock only
Answer: 3 and 9 o'clock, or 4 and 8 o'clock
You have better vehicle control with both hands at 3 and 9 o'clock, or 4 and 8 o'clock, on the outside of the wheel.