Safe driving and emergencies
In which situation does the handbook call for hand-over-hand steering?
- Turning at low speed, parking, or recovering from a skid. Correct answer
- Every turn, at any speed, so the wheel comes around faster.
- Turning while backing up, so you can look behind you.
Why
Hand-over-hand is for moments that need a lot of steering at low speed: slow turns, parking and getting out of a skid. You begin at 8 and 4 o'clock, reach across to grip the opposite side, let go with the other hand, then reach across the arm that is still holding on, take the wheel and pull up. It is not meant for every turn. With push/pull steering your hands stay in their starting positions even while turning. Backing up while turning is a separate case, where one hand at 12 o'clock may be all you use so you can twist to see behind you. The only other time one hand is enough is when you must take a hand off to work a vehicle control.
Where this comes from
California Driver's Handbook, June 2025 edition. The correct answer is Turning at low speed, parking, or recovering from a skid.
The rule behind this one
Safe driving and emergencies in California goes through the whole topic, with the page of the California Driver's Handbook behind every rule.
More on safe driving and emergencies
- You are turning while backing up and need to look behind you to see where you are going. How should you hold the steering wheel?
- You are on a narrow mountain road and a curve ahead keeps you from seeing at least 200 feet down the road. What does the handbook tell you to do?
- You are driving at night with your high beams on and come up behind a vehicle going the same way. Within what distance of it must you switch to low beams?
- You are carrying lumber that sticks out 5 feet past your rear bumper. What must you display during the day?