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Canadian syllabus › Vehicle controls and basic skills › Steering and turning
Part 2 · Vehicle controls and basic skills

Steering and turning

Smooth steering keeps the car where you want it and makes passengers feel safe. Good steering starts with where you look and how you hold the wheel.

Canadian handbooks describe two main methods: hand-to-hand (push-pull) steering and hand-over-hand steering. Each has its place.

By the end of this topic you can

  • You can hold the wheel in a balanced position.
  • You can steer using the push-pull method.
  • You can use hand-over-hand steering for sharp, slow turns.
  • You can straighten the wheel smoothly after a turn.
  • You can slow down before a corner rather than in it.

What you need to know and understand

  • Hold the wheel at 9 and 3, or 8 and 4.
  • Push-pull (hand-to-hand) steering: one hand pushes up while the other pulls down, and your hands never cross.
  • Push-pull steering lowers the risk of arm and face injuries from the airbag.
  • Hand-over-hand steering suits sharp turns at low speed, such as in parking lots.
  • Unwind the wheel in controlled steps after a turn. Do not let it spin through your hands.
  • Finish braking before you steer into a corner. Avoid braking and steering hard at the same time.
  • Look where you want to go. The car tends to follow your eyes.

Push-pull steering

  1. Start with hands at 9 and 3, or 8 and 4.
  2. To turn left, pull down with your left hand while your right hand slides up to meet it.
  3. Push up with your right hand while your left hand slides back up to its start position.
  4. Repeat in small movements until you have enough steering.
  5. To straighten, reverse the movements smoothly.

Hand-over-hand for tight turns

When your forearms would touch, switch to hand-over-hand. Pull the wheel down with your top hand, then cross your other hand over to grip and keep pulling. Use the same controlled method to unwind. This method is for slow speeds, such as parking or turning tight corners.

Making a smooth turn

  • Check mirrors and signal early.
  • Brake to a safe turning speed while still going straight.
  • Look through the turn to where you want to end up.
  • Steer smoothly, keeping a light, steady speed.
  • Gently accelerate as you straighten up.

Common mistakes

  • Letting the wheel slide through loose hands after a turn.
  • Braking hard while turning, which can upset the car's balance.
  • Staring at the curb or a hazard, which pulls the car towards it.
  • Steering with one hand or with the palm on top of the wheel.
  • Turning the wheel too early at intersections and cutting the corner.
Practice tip: Practise push-pull steering around a slow figure-eight in an empty parking lot until you can do it without looking at your hands.

Test yourself: Steering and turning

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

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Sources: SGI Saskatchewan Driver's Handbook, Steering (sgi.sk.ca); Ontario MTO Official Driver's Handbook, Changing directions (ontario.ca). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with your province or territory.

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