Steering is one of the most fundamental yet often overlooked aspects of driving. Many learners focus on gear changes or observations while neglecting the precision of their steering input. Learning how to improve steering control is essential for smooth, safe driving—it affects your positioning, cornering stability, and ability to handle unexpected situations. Whether you’re a complete beginner with a driving school in Ilford or an experienced driver looking to refine your skills, mastering steering techniques will transform your confidence behind the wheel. This guide covers everything from basic hand positioning to advanced techniques used by professional drivers.
Part 1: The Foundation – Correct Hand Positioning
Your steering control begins with where you place your hands. The DVSA recommends imagining your steering wheel as a clock face.
- The ’10 and 2′ vs. ‘9 and 3’ Position: While traditional advice suggested “10 and 2,” modern steering wheel designs and safety recommendations now favor the ‘9 and 3’ position. This position:
- Provides better control and reduces arm fatigue.
- Allows safer airbag deployment.
- Gives you a wider range of movement without taking your hands off the wheel.
- Maintain a Relaxed Grip: Hold the wheel firmly but not tightly. White knuckles indicate tension that reduces smoothness and feedback from the road.
- Thumbs on the Rim: Avoid hooking your thumbs inside the steering wheel spokes. In the event of a wheel jerk (e.g., hitting a curb), this can lead to thumb injuries.
Part 2: Core Steering Techniques for Different Situations
2.1 The Pull-Push (or Push-Pull) Method
This is the standard, safest technique taught by all professional driving schools for most turns and bends.
- How it works: To turn right, your right hand pushes the wheel up while your left hand pulls it down. Your hands never cross; they simply slide to meet at the top or bottom before the other takes over.
- Benefits: You always maintain maximum control with at least one hand firmly on the wheel. It’s the preferred method for the driving test and general road driving.
2.2 The Hand-Over-Hand Technique
Used for slower, sharper turns like turning at junctions, parking, or navigating tight roundabouts.
- How it works: To turn right, your right hand pulls the wheel down from the 3 o’clock position while your left hand reaches across, takes over, and continues pulling. Hands briefly cross.
- When to use: For manoeuvres requiring more than about 90 degrees of steering lock. Always return to the pull-push method to straighten up.
2.3 Fixed-Grip or “Shuffle” Steering
Often used in advanced driving for high-speed stability.
- How it works: Your hands remain fixed at the 9 and 3 positions. You shuffle the wheel through your palms without your hands leaving their sectors.
- Best for: Making small, precise adjustments on motorways or fast A-roads.
Part 3: Common Steering Mistakes and How to Fix Them
- Crossing Your Hands: While not an automatic test failure, habitually crossing your hands can lead to a loss of control if you need to react suddenly. Fix: Consciously practice the pull-push method until it becomes muscle memory.
- “Feeding” the Wheel: Letting the wheel slide through loose fingers after a turn. This looks sloppy and reduces control. Fix: Use a positive, controlled method (like pull-push) to guide the wheel back to centre.
- Over-Steering (Sawing at the Wheel): Making lots of small, jerky corrections. This leads to poor lane discipline. Fix: Look further ahead (at the point you want to go) and make smoother, earlier, and more decisive inputs.
- “Hanging” on the Wheel: Using the steering wheel for body support, especially when checking blind spots. This can accidentally turn the wheel. Fix: Ensure your seat provides proper support. Only move your head for observations, not your upper body.
Part 4: Practical Exercises to Improve Steering Control
- The Quiet Car Park Drill: Find an empty space. Practice slow, full-lock turns using cones or markers, focusing solely on perfect pull-push technique. Listen and feel for smoothness.
- Lane Discipline Practice: On a quiet road, focus on keeping the car perfectly centered in your lane using minimal, almost imperceptible steering inputs.
- The Look-Ahead Principle: Your steering follows your eyes. Practice looking as far around the bend as you can see, not just at the road immediately in front of the bonnet. Your hands will naturally follow.
Part 5: The Role of Professional Instruction in Mastering Control
While this guide provides the theory, nothing replaces professional feedback. This is why choosing the right driving school is critical. An instructor from a reputable driving school in Ilford like Driving Academy Ltd will:
- Provide Instant Correction: They’ll spot and correct bad habits before they become ingrained.
- Build Progressive Lessons: They’ll start with basic control in a safe environment and gradually introduce more complex scenarios.
- Simulate Test Conditions: They know how examiners assess steering—looking for smoothness, control, and appropriate technique for the situation.
Avoid the temptation to just find the cheapest driving instructor near me. Investing in quality instruction for a foundational skill like steering pays dividends in safety and test success.
Part 6: Steering and Your Broader Driving Journey
Mastering control is a step in becoming a competent all-round driver. Just as you need to know how to exchange a driving licence in the UK if you’re an international driver, you need to master the physical skills of driving. Precise steering enhances safety in all conditions and is a hallmark of a driver who is truly in command of their vehicle.
Conclusion: Precision Leads to Confidence
Learning how to improve steering control is a journey from conscious effort to unconscious competence. By understanding the techniques, practicing deliberately, and seeking professional guidance, you will develop a smooth, confident driving style that keeps you safe, passes tests, and makes driving more enjoyable.
Ready to master the art of smooth, precise steering with a professional instructor?
📞 Call Driving Academy Ltd at 07399 696344 – Our expert instructors in Ilford and London focus on building perfect foundational control.
📧 Email: drivingacademyltd@gmail.com
📍 Visit Us: 101 Whitechapel High Street, London, E1 7RA
Take control of your driving journey. Book your first lesson today.