Practical Driving Test Tips - Steering
| Problem | Reason | Solution |
| Emerging, minor to major, you went on the other side of the road | Because you didn’t steer enough | Use large rapid movements of the wheel |
| In the new road, you (almost) went into the kerb | Because you didn’t straighten up early enough | Start to straighten the car when you’re (general guideline) 75% straight in the new road |
| In the new road, you almost went into the kerb | Because you didn’t straighten up early enough | Start to straighten the car when you’re (general guideline) 75% straight in the new road |
| In the new road, you over steered and veered towards the kerb | Because you over-corrected the steering | Turn back the same amount you steered initially, in order to straighten up |
| In the new road, you over steered and veered towards the kerb | Because you over corrected the steering | Turn back the same amount you steered initially, in order to straighten up |
| In the new road, you were driving too wide | Because you overcorrected the steering | Take off the same amount of steering as you put in when turning the corner |
| In the new road, you were driving too wide | Because you over corrected the steering | Take off the same amount of steering as you put in to turn the corner |
| Major to minor, you (almost) hit the opposite kerb | Because you turned too late / not enough / not briskly enough | Start to steer when the front of the car is level with the middle.... of the road you’re turning into / take larger bites of the wheel / steer more rapidly |
| The car was veering towards the kerb / middle of the road | Because you were pulling down too much with your left / right hand | Use an equal weight for each hand - imagine a pair of scales and keep the wheel balanced |
| The car was weaving along the road | Because you were gripping the steering wheel too tightly | Use a light but firm grip, as though you were holding eggs |
| The car was weaving along the road | Because you hadn’t got groper control because you were too far away from / too close to the steering wheel | Adjust your seating position before setting off, so that you have good control of the steering wheel |
| The car was weaving along the road | Because your hands were too low / too high on the wheel | Position your hands at ten-to two or quarter-to-three, as on a clock face |
| The car was weaving along the road | Because you were steering too far one way and then too much the other way | Use small inputs of steering, say, not more than 5 or 10 minutes when making minor changes of direction. The higher the speed the less steering input you’ll need |
| The car was weaving along the road | Because you were looking at the kerb / oncoming traffic / other diversion | Look as far ahead as the road layout allows, and scan back from side to side |
| The car was weaving along the road | Because you were steering with one hand only | Use two hands on the wheel -don’t rest your arm / hand on the window sill / gear lever |
| The left front / back wheel went over the kerb | Because you -steered too early too much | Don’t start steering until the front of the car has crossed the give way / kerb line |
| The left front / back wheel went over the kerb | Because you -steered too early too much | Adjust the amount of steering to suit the corner - gradual – less, sharp – more |
| The left front / back wheel went over the kerb | Because you steered too early / too much | Start steering when the front of the car is level with the beginning of the turn |
| The left front / back wheel went over the kerb | Because you steered too early / too much | Adjust the amount of steering to suit the corner - gradual – less, sharp – more |
| The steering wheel is catching on your legs | Because you haven’t adjusted the height of the seat | Use the seat height adjuster...(describe for your vehicle) |
| Turning major to minor, you went on the other side of the road | Because you didn’t steer enough | Use large rapid movements of the wheel |
| Turning major to minor, you went on the other side of the road | Because you didn’t steer early enough | Start steering as soon as the front of the car is level with the corner (advise for type of corner) |
| When turning left, major to minor, you went on to the other side of the new road | Because you didn’t turn enough | Take larger ‘bites’ of the steering wheel and turn it more quickly |
| When turning left, major to minor, you went on to the other side of the new road | Because you only pulled down, you didn’t push (or vice-versa) | Use the pull-push system. Doing half of it will be only 50°k effective |
| When turning left, major to minor, you went on to the other side of the new road | Because you didn’t turn at the correct point | Turn when...(advise for left / right turns) |
| When turning left, major to minor, you went on to the other side of the new road | Because you didn’t steer early enough | Start steering as soon as the front of the car has crossed the give way / kerb line (advise for type of corner) |
| You (almost) hit the opposite kerb | Because you turned too late / not enough / not briskly enough | Start to steer before you get to -the middle of the road / take larger bites of the wheel / steer more rapidly |
| You cut the corner | Because you turned too early | Start to steer once the front of the car is level with the middle of the road you’re turning into (if necessary, offer advice regarding obstructions affecting the point of turn) |
| You emerged on the wrong side of the road | Because you turned too early | Start to steer once the car has crossed the give way / kerb line |
| You haven’t checked the steering wheel properly | Because you didn’t run your hands all the way from 12 to 6 (as on a clock face) and back again | Touch hands at 12 and 6, as on a clock face, to ensure that you’ve covered the complete circumference of the steering wheel |
| You lost control of the car | Because you let the wheel spin back | Feed the wheel back through your hands using the pull-push method - it’s safer |
| You lost control of the car | Because you let the wheel spin back | Feed the wheel back through your hands using the pull push method - it’s safer |
| You steered erratically round the bend | Because you were snatching / grabbing at the wheel | Use a smooth pulling movement in the direction of the bend |
| You veered to the right / left before turning | Because you turned the wheel to the right / left, unnecessarily | Keep the car straight, don’t veer in or out before turning |
| Your hands are catching on your legs | Because you haven’t adjusted the wheel height / tilt sufficiently | Use the steering wheel adjuster...(describe for your vehicle) |
| Your hands are too high / low on the steering wheel | It could be you’re not sure where to position them | Position your hands at either ten-to-two or quarter-to-three, whichever feels more comfortable |
| You’re gripping the wheel too tightly - your knuckles are” showing white | Perhaps you’re unsure of the required amount of grip | Hold the wheel lightly but firmly, as though you were holding eggs |
| You’re using the steering wheel incorrectly | Because you’re turning it while the car is stationary | Only turn the wheel when the car is moving |
| You’re using the steering wheel incorrectly | Because you’re crossing your hands | Use the pull-push method of steering |
| You’re using the steering wheel incorrectly | Because you’re using the spokes of the wheel | Keep your hands on the rim of the wheel |
| You’ve got your first / index / fore finger(s) pointing up the wheel | Maybe you thought it would give you more control? | Wrap your fingers around the wheel and have your thumbs resting lightly on the rim |