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Ohio driving lesson · Basic Vehicle Control & Intersections

Steering & backing up

A 3-minute lesson from the Ohio 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
Basic Vehicle Control & Intersections
Checkpoint questions
4
Source pages
19

Good hand position keeps you in control and your arms out of the air bag's path. Backing up is harder: steering feels reversed, and the space right behind the car is hidden from you.

Know the rule

Turn the steering wheel in the direction you want the vehicle to go, whether moving forward or in reverse.

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Know the rule

Place both hands on the outside of the wheel on opposite sides, at the 4 and 8 o'clock positions, to keep control and avoid the air bag if it deploys. Grip firmly but gently.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
Blind spot clock position reference
Steering wheel clock positions — hands at 4 and 8 o'clock

To back up safely:

  • Check behind the vehicle before you get in — children and small objects can't be seen from the driver's seat
  • Put your foot on the brake and shift to reverse
  • Hold the wheel at 12 o'clock with your left hand; right arm on the passenger seat back
  • Look directly through the rear window
  • Accelerate gently and keep speed slow; steer slightly in the direction the rear should move
  • If backing while turning, make quick checks to the front and sides
  • Keep looking to the rear until you come to a complete stop
Handbook p. 19 ↗

Know the rule

Mirrors do not show the area immediately behind your vehicle.

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Know the rule

Use a backup camera if you have one, but don't rely on it alone — it may not show the whole area.

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Know the rule

A vehicle is much harder to steer while backing up.

Handbook p. 19 ↗

Put it into practice

You're reversing out of a driveway with a backup camera. Walk around the car first, then back up slowly while turning to look through the rear window, using the camera only as an extra aid.

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 the best control and air bag safety?
  1. The 12 and 6 o'clock positions
  2. The 10 and 2 o'clock positions
  3. One hand at 12 o'clock only
  4. The 4 and 8 o'clock positions

Answer: The 4 and 8 o'clock positions

Ohio's handbook recommends the 4 and 8 o'clock hand positions to maintain control and avoid air bags if they deploy.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
When backing up, where should your left hand be on the steering wheel?
  1. At the 9 o'clock position
  2. At the 12 o'clock position
  3. At the 4 o'clock position
  4. At the 6 o'clock position

Answer: At the 12 o'clock position

Grasp the wheel at 12 o'clock with your left hand, put your right arm on the passenger seat back, and look through the rear window.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
Why shouldn't you rely only on your mirrors or backup camera when reversing?
  1. They reverse left and right
  2. They switch off in reverse gear
  3. They may not show the area right behind you
  4. They make the car harder to steer

Answer: They may not show the area right behind you

Mirrors don't show the area immediately behind the vehicle, and a backup camera may not show the whole area.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
You should check behind your vehicle before getting in because children and small objects can't be seen from the driver's seat.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

The manual says to check behind the vehicle before getting in, since children and small objects can't be seen from the driver's seat.

Handbook p. 19 ↗
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