A 3-minute lesson from the Washington course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Smooth, continuous steering starts with where your hands are. Picture the wheel as a clock and keep your hands on the top half, outside the rim. Then match the steering method to the job: normal turns, tight low-speed turns, or backing up.
Know the rule
Place your hands outside the wheel, on the top half, for the best control. Think of the wheel as a clock: 9:00 and 3:00 is a common grip.
Hand-to-hand: your hands never leave the wheel and each stays on its own side. One hand grips and steers (pulls); the other slides and stays opposite (pushes).
Use one-hand steering when backing or when operating controls that make you reach off the wheel. The 12 o'clock position is recommended only when backing, with your body turned to see behind you.
You're pulling into a tight parking space at low speed: use hand-over-hand. Leaving the space in reverse, put one hand at 12 o'clock and turn your body to look through the rear window.
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 for the best steering control?
On the top half, inside the rim
At the very bottom of the wheel
One hand at 12, resting
On the top half of the wheel, outside the rim
Answer: On the top half of the wheel, outside the rim
Placing your hands on the outside of the top half of the wheel gives you the best control.
