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?
- One hand at the 12 o'clock position. Correct answer
- Both hands at 9 and 3 o'clock, as in push/pull steering.
- Both hands at 8 and 4 o'clock, crossing them as you turn.
Why
Backing up while turning is one of just two situations in which the handbook accepts steering with one hand. You have to turn your body to see where you are going behind the vehicle, so one hand goes to the top of the wheel, at 12 o'clock. The other situation is when operating a vehicle control requires you to take a hand off. The 9 and 3 grip is a starting position for push/pull steering, and crossing your hands as you turn describes hand-over-hand, the method for low-speed turns, parking and skids, which starts at 8 and 4. Outside those two exceptions, keep both hands on the wheel whenever possible.
Where this comes from
California Driver's Handbook, June 2025 edition. The correct answer is One hand at the 12 o'clock position.
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 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?
- Your friends want to ride in the open bed of your pickup truck for a short trip. When is that allowed?