Many of my pupils tell me their parents warned them not to cross their hands or hold the wheel in any other way then at ten to two (imagine a clock face), or take one hand off the wheel (other than to change gear) on driving lessons or on their driving test. I was told this too when I learnt to drive, but that was over 40 years ago when we only had three TV channels! Times have changed, things have moved on, this is the third decade of the 21st Century!

The Highway Code has changed a bit since then too. So just to clarify the steering requirements on test I’m going to quote directly from the DT1. That’s the document which gives Driving Examiners guidance on how to conduct and mark a Practical Driving Test:

Steering:
To ensure uniformity when conducting car tests, only assess the candidate’s ability to control the vehicle and do not consider it as a fault if, for example, they do not hold the steering wheel at ten to two or if they cross their hands when turning the steering wheel. The assessment should be based on whether the steering is smooth, safe and under control.

Some instructors still teach ten to two and not crossing hands as they either feel this is best practice or they’re just out of date. I avoid teaching these methods as I’ve had so many pupils come to me in the past who had severe steering problems trying to stick to these rigid methods and often end up doing many jerky little movements. People rarely need to be taught how to steer. As a kid when you got your first bike did anyone need to teach you how to steer it, or a bumper car or a go-kart?

Steering problems are caused by:
1. Where the driver is looking.
2. Slowing late/going too fast round corners.
3. Lack of hand-to-eye coordination.