This follows on from lesson one, about getting started and comfortable with the car (which you can read it here). So, once the student is comfortable with the car, knows the very basics, it's time to move on to steering.
Steering is the most important, and in some ways most difficult and time consuming part of driving. And it's a stage a lot of parents/guardians skip, they take it for granted and never teach proper turning.
In this post I explain the importance of turning, as well as the techniques and proper steering.
You can read my post about bad steering techniques here. I explain the incorrect techniques, why they're bad, and how to avoid them.
First thing, learning to steer is the same skill sets as learning to walk. It takes time and practice, unfortunately many (teachers and students) get frustrated. They try and rush the process, never developing it properly.
The other issue, like walking, steering should start at the basics and then move up. People skip the basics, trying to teach or learn advanced and incorrect techniques (such as palm steering). We learn to walk before we learn to run.
There are two good main steering techniques learners should start with, pull-push, and hand-over-hand.
- Step 1:
Start with both hands at the correct driving position, at the famous 10 and 2.
- Step 2:
The left hand grips the wheel, pulling it down towards the left. While at the same time the right hand lets go of the wheel and slides down. Both hands should move at the same speed and stay at the same height as each other.
- Step 3:
Now, both hands should meet at the bottom in the middle at the same time. Neither hand should go past the middle. They don't have to come all the way to the bottom of the wheel, but try to be close.
Swap which hand is gripping the wheel, as now the right should be holding it. As you can see below.
- Step 4:
The left hand is NOT holding the wheel, it should be sliding loosely up while the right is gripping and pushing the wheel up. As always, both hands stay at the same height and speed as they continue around.
- Step 5:
Finally, both hands will meet at the top middle of the wheel together. Just as they did at the bottom.
- One at a time: Only grip or hold the wheel with one hand at a time, let the other loosely slide around. This is what most people struggle with, they hang on with both hands.
Steering is the most important, and in some ways most difficult and time consuming part of driving. And it's a stage a lot of parents/guardians skip, they take it for granted and never teach proper turning.
In this post I explain the importance of turning, as well as the techniques and proper steering.
You can read my post about bad steering techniques here. I explain the incorrect techniques, why they're bad, and how to avoid them.
Steering
Good steering is the foundation to all good driving, and will make the difference later between a great driver and an average driver. It's also important to develop good steering for emergencies later in life.First thing, learning to steer is the same skill sets as learning to walk. It takes time and practice, unfortunately many (teachers and students) get frustrated. They try and rush the process, never developing it properly.
The other issue, like walking, steering should start at the basics and then move up. People skip the basics, trying to teach or learn advanced and incorrect techniques (such as palm steering). We learn to walk before we learn to run.
There are two good main steering techniques learners should start with, pull-push, and hand-over-hand.
Pull - Push Steering
The first technique I teach is pull-push. It's a counter-intuitive technique difficult to understand, but very easy to master. Once learnt it's almost impossible to get wrong. Also, interestingly when in emergency situations I find many students go to this technique instinctively.- Step 1:
Start with both hands at the correct driving position, at the famous 10 and 2.
 |
| Step 1 |
The left hand grips the wheel, pulling it down towards the left. While at the same time the right hand lets go of the wheel and slides down. Both hands should move at the same speed and stay at the same height as each other.
 |
| Step 2 |
Now, both hands should meet at the bottom in the middle at the same time. Neither hand should go past the middle. They don't have to come all the way to the bottom of the wheel, but try to be close.
Swap which hand is gripping the wheel, as now the right should be holding it. As you can see below.
 |
| Step 3 |
The left hand is NOT holding the wheel, it should be sliding loosely up while the right is gripping and pushing the wheel up. As always, both hands stay at the same height and speed as they continue around.
 |
| Step 4 |
Finally, both hands will meet at the top middle of the wheel together. Just as they did at the bottom.
 |
| Step 5 |
Pull - Push Tips and Tricks
- Staying steady: Keep both hands at the same height as each other, moving them at the same speed. Pretend there is a mirror down the middle of the wheel, the hands copy each other, mirroring each other.- One at a time: Only grip or hold the wheel with one hand at a time, let the other loosely slide around. This is what most people struggle with, they hang on with both hands.