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Iowa driving lesson · Turning, Lane Changes & Passing

Steering and backing

A 3-minute lesson from the Iowa 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
3 minutes
Course unit
Turning, Lane Changes & Passing
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
42, 43

A proper grip reduces your risk of injury from the front air bag and gives you the best control. Backing is harder to control than driving forward, so go slowly and look where you're going.

Know the rule

Place your hands on opposite sides of the steering wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock, or slightly lower at 7 and 5 o'clock.

Handbook p. 42 ↗
Steering wheel hand position (9 and 3 o'clock)
Hands at 9 and 3 o'clock

Steering:

  • Look well down the road, not just in front of you, so you can steer smoothly
  • Turn corners using the hand-over-hand or push-pull technique
  • Don't turn the wheel with just the palm of one hand—you could lose control
  • After a turn, straighten the wheel by hand; letting it slip through your fingers is dangerous
Handbook p. 42 ↗

Know the rule

Back up at slow speeds, using the accelerator carefully, if at all.

Handbook p. 43 ↗

Backing up:

  • Turn your head to see beyond the head restraint
  • Shift hips, drape right arm over the seat, left hand at top of wheel, look over right shoulder
  • Check all areas behind the vehicle and its blind spots before and while backing
  • Release the brake; use the accelerator gently and only when needed to control speed
  • Turn the wheel in the direction you want the car to travel
  • Look through the rear side windows in the direction the car is moving
Handbook p. 43 ↗

Know the rule

Don't depend on mirrors or backup cameras alone—they don't give a full view and can be misleading in depth perception.

Handbook p. 43 ↗

Put it into practice

Backing out of a driveway, turn your body, rest your right arm on the seat back, hold the top of the wheel with your left hand, and look through the rear window as you release the brake and creep back.

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 should your hands be placed on the steering wheel for proper control?
  1. At 12 and 6 o'clock
  2. At 9 and 3, or 7 and 5 o'clock
  3. At 10 and 2 o'clock only, never lower
  4. At 11 and 1 o'clock

Answer: At 9 and 3, or 7 and 5 o'clock

The manual recommends hands at 9 and 3 o'clock, or slightly lower at 7 and 5 o'clock.

Handbook p. 42 ↗
While backing up, why shouldn't you rely only on mirrors or a backup camera?
  1. They aren't permitted on the driving test
  2. They only work in good daylight
  3. They lack a full view and can mislead depth perception
  4. They only turn on above walking speed

Answer: They lack a full view and can mislead depth perception

The manual says not to depend on mirrors or backup cameras alone, since they don't provide a full view and can mislead depth perception.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
What technique should you use when turning the wheel through a corner?
  1. Palm of one hand only
  2. One hand on top of the wheel
  3. Letting it slide through your hands
  4. Hand-over-hand

Answer: Hand-over-hand

Use the hand-over-hand or push-pull technique when turning corners.

Handbook p. 42 ↗
After completing a turn, how should you straighten the steering wheel?
  1. By hand, not letting it slip
  2. By letting it slip through your fingers
  3. By releasing it completely
  4. By tapping the brakes as it returns

Answer: By hand, not letting it slip

Straighten the wheel by hand after a turn; letting it slip through your fingers can be dangerous.

Handbook p. 42 ↗
While backing up, how should you position your body for the best view?
  1. Watch only the side mirrors
  2. Turn around and look through the rear window
  3. Watch only the backup camera
  4. Look over your left shoulder only

Answer: Turn around and look through the rear window

Shift your hips, turn around, and look through the rear window while backing.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
When backing up, you should turn your head to look through the rear window rather than relying on mirrors alone.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

The manual instructs turning your head to see beyond the head restraint while backing.

Handbook p. 43 ↗
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