Steering, Positioning & Road Holding
How you hold the wheel, steer through bends, and keep your position in the lane tells the examiner a lot about your control and confidence.
The full guide
Your steering and road positioning show whether you keep the vehicle under safe control. Look well ahead, use a comfortable grip and steer smoothly while maintaining an appropriate road position.
There is no single prescribed hand position or steering technique for the test. Keep enough control to steer accurately and use other controls safely. Crossing your hands or turning the wheel while stationary is not automatically a fault; the result depends on whether control or safety is affected.
Positioning means holding a steady line in the centre of your lane without drifting left or right. Choose a reference point on your windscreen or dashboard that lines up with the left lane marking, and use it to keep your position constant. Through bends, stay on your side of the road and do not cut corners.
Look well ahead of the car. Your steering follows your eyes, so if you stare at the kerb you will drift towards it. If you look at the road ahead, you will steer naturally toward where you want to go.
Common faults
- Crossing your arms over the wheel instead of feeding it smoothly
- Letting the wheel slide back through your hands uncontrolled
- Wandering left and right within the lane
- Hitting or mounting the kerb
- Cutting corners on bends and crossing into the opposite lane
- Not steering enough on tight bends or small roundabouts
- Looking down at the road just in front of the bonnet
Examiner focus
- You hold the wheel correctly and keep it under control
- You steer smoothly without sudden or excessive movements
- You keep the car centred in your lane consistently
- You avoid contact with the kerb
- You take the correct line through bends, staying on your side
- You look well ahead rather than staring at the road immediately in front
Quick tips
- Rest your thumbs on the rim, not gripping the spokes tightly
- Use small, smooth steering inputs — large movements unsettle the car
- Look where you want to go, not at what you are trying to avoid
- Steer into bends early and hold a steady line through them
- If the car drifts, correct gently — overcorrection causes weaving
Questions learners ask
Can I drive with one hand on the wheel?
You may need one hand for another control. What matters is that you remain in safe, accurate control of the vehicle; a hand position is not marked simply because it differs from one taught technique.
What is dry steering?
Turning the steering wheel while stationary is often called dry steering. Avoid unnecessary tyre scrub, but it is not automatically a driving-test fault; safe control and observation are what matter.
How can I stop hitting the kerb?
Find a reference point on your windscreen that aligns with the kerb when you are in the correct position. Every car is slightly different, so practise with your instructor to discover what works for your vehicle.
Why do I keep drifting to the left?
This usually happens when you are looking too close to the front of the car. Lift your gaze further ahead — about 12 to 15 seconds up the road — and your steering will naturally keep you centred.
What should I do on very narrow roads?
Slow down and give yourself more time. Position slightly left of centre to make room for oncoming traffic, but do not hug the kerb. Stay calm and match your speed to the road width.
Should I grip the wheel tightly?
No. Hold it firmly but relaxed. A tight grip creates jerky steering and tires your arms. A lighter, controlled grip gives smoother, more accurate steering.
Use this guide with your instructor
Guidance cannot replace professional feedback in the car. For current road rules and test arrangements, check the Highway Code .
Fact checked
Official sources
Reviewed 4 September 2026. Use these guides alongside your instructor. They summarise general learning points and are not a substitute for the Highway Code, the official test guidance or advice for your own vehicle.