Steering
Good steering keeps the car on a smooth, steady path in the right position on the road. It sounds simple, but tense arms, looking too close and late turning are common learner problems.
Steering is linked to where you look: the car tends to go where your eyes go.
By the end of this topic you can
- You can hold the wheel in a relaxed, balanced position.
- You can use pull and push steering to turn smoothly.
- You can keep a steady course in your lane.
- You can steer accurately at low speed and in reverse.
What you need to know and understand
- Hold the wheel with both hands, roughly at ten to two or quarter to three.
- Keep both hands on the wheel except when changing gear or using another control.
- Look well ahead to where you want to go, not at the bonnet.
- Turn the wheel before the turn, at a speed that suits the bend, and straighten smoothly afterwards.
- Do not let the wheel spin back through your hands on its own after a turn.
- Avoid steering while the car is stationary, which strains the tyres and steering.
Hands and grip
Hold the wheel lightly but firmly, thumbs along the rim rather than hooked inside it. Relaxed arms steer more smoothly than locked ones. Do not cross your arms during normal driving, and never steer with one hand on the top of the wheel or rest an arm on the window.
Pull and push steering
Reverse the directions to turn right. Some instructors also teach other methods for tight, slow manoeuvres. Your ADI will help you choose the technique that keeps you in control, and the driving test looks for steering that is smooth and well timed.
- To turn left, slide your left hand up towards the top of the wheel.
- Pull down with the left hand while your right hand slides down to meet it.
- Grip with the right hand and push up while the left hand slides back up.
- Repeat as needed, keeping hands on opposite sides of the wheel.
- Feed the wheel back the same way to straighten up.
Holding a steady course
Most wobbling happens because learners look just in front of the car. Lift your eyes and look far down the road: small corrections become automatic. Keep to the left, far enough out that others can pass safely, but not in a cycle lane.
When reversing, look mainly through the rear window. The car moves slowly, so make small, steady steering movements and check all round often.
Common mistakes
- Gripping the wheel too tightly, which makes steering jerky.
- Steering too late into a bend or turn and swinging wide.
- Letting the wheel spin back on its own after a turn.
- Looking at the bonnet instead of well ahead.
Test yourself: Steering
Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.
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Sources: Rules of the Road, Revision 9 May 2026, Section 5 Good driving practice (RSA, rsa.ie); Rules of the Road, Revision 9 May 2026, Section 3 The driving test (RSA, rsa.ie); Road Safety Authority, Essential Driver Training learner programme (rsa.ie). Independent guide, not affiliated with any licensing agency. Always check the latest official rules with the RSA.