Steering

The steering wheel is used to control the direction of the car by turning the front wheels. Imagine the wheel as a clock face. You should hold the steering wheel lightly but firmly with your hands in the "ten-to-two" or "quarter-to-three" position.

NEVER take both hands from the wheel whilst the vehicle is moving. It is important when driving that you have both hands on the steering wheel, you will have to take one hand off on occasions, for example when changing gear, operating the lights, wipers and other controls, but as soon as you have done that your hand should return to the wheel. When practising, find a straight, quiet road where you can steer with one hand while you practise using the controls.

To steer a straight course, look well ahead. To turn the car you should use the "Pull - Push" technique. This means feeding the rim of the steering wheel through your hands, so that one hand is always gripping the wheel. For example, to turn right, move your right hand to the top of the wheel but not beyond the 12 o'clock position. Pull the wheel downwards with your right hand and at the same time slide your left hand down the rim so that both hands end up at the same height. Then, change the grip to your left hand and push the wheel further round, at the same time allowing your right hand to slide up the rim of the wheel.

You may need to repeat these steps, according to the angle through which the front wheels need to turn. This angle is known as the steering lock. To turn the wheel back again, or to turn left, use the same procedure, but the left hand goes to the top of the wheel first. You should not let the wheel slip back through your hands after a turn as this lessens your control of the car.

You can vary your hand movements according to the amount of lock you need. You should avoid crossing your hands on the wheel and steering when the car is stationary.