Chapter 4-5: Steering

The “Steering” section of the Saskatchewan Driving Practice Test focuses on essential techniques for safely controlling your vehicle.

Saskatchewan Driving Test - Chapter 4-5: Steering

1 / 15

The numbers used to describe hand positions on the steering wheel refer to:

The number of spokes on the steering wheel

The number of turns of the steering wheel

Positions on the face of a clock

The vehicle’s speedometer markings

2 / 15

What are the two correct hand positions on a steering wheel?

“9 and 3” and “8 and 4”

“9 and 2” and “4 and 8”

“11 and 5” and “7 and 1”

“10 and 2” and “12 and 6”

3 / 15

In “hand-to-hand” steering, the usual hand positions are:

Left hand at 6 o’clock, right hand at 12 o’clock

Left hand at 10 o’clock, right hand at 2 o’clock

Left hand between 7 and 8 o’clock, right hand between 4 and 5 o’clock

Both hands at 12 o’clock

4 / 15

When unwinding the wheel after a turn using “hand over hand,” you should:

Let go of the wheel completely

Hold the wheel rigidly without moving your hands

Use the same hand over hand system to bring it back

Let the wheel snap back freely

5 / 15

To steer beyond the point where your forearms touch, you must use:

Your knees to help guide the wheel

Only the palms of your hands

A “hand over hand” or “hand to hand” steering sequence

Only one hand at the bottom of the wheel

6 / 15

On a vehicle with an airbag in the steering wheel, placing a hand on the top of the wheel is dangerous because:

It interferes with the turn signal lever

A deploying airbag may force the hand back into the driver’s face

It reduces steering effort

It blocks the view of the instruments

7 / 15

The “hand-to-hand” method is also commonly called:

Single-hand steering

Push/pull steering or zone steering

Spin-back steering

Top-grip steering

8 / 15

In the “hand over hand” method, you turn the wheel by:

Pulling the wheel down with the top hand, moving the bottom hand to the top, and repeating

Sliding both hands to the top and holding them there

Spinning the wheel quickly with one hand

Pushing the wheel only with your thumbs

9 / 15

You can twist the wheel until:

Your shoulders lift off the seat

Your forearms touch

Your hands reach the top of the wheel

Your elbows are fully locked

10 / 15

The “hand over hand” method is used primarily when:

Parking on level ground with no obstacles

Turning the wheel sharply at low speeds or in very slippery conditions

Driving straight at highway speeds

Reversing slowly in a dry parking lot

11 / 15

Why should you not let the wheel slide through your hands when it unwinds?

It makes the steering wheel too hot

It turns off the power steering

You have very little control of the speed or stopping point of the wheel

It causes extra tire wear

12 / 15

A major safety advantage of “hand-to-hand” steering is that:

Your hands never cross over the wheel, reducing injury risk from an airbag deployment

It eliminates the need for power steering

It allows faster spinning of the wheel

It keeps one hand free at all times

13 / 15

Once your hands are in the correct position on the wheel, you should:

Move your hands to the top of the wheel for every turn

Keep your grip in the same place and twist the wheel to turn

Hold the wheel with only one hand most of the time

Constantly shuffle your hands for flexibility

14 / 15

A key to steering is knowing the steering wheel position at which:

Your front wheels are straight

The brakes engage automatically

The transmission shifts gears

The vehicle is at maximum speed

15 / 15

When using “hand-to-hand” steering, to return the vehicle to the desired path you should:

Reverse the push/pull process you used to turn

Cross your arms over the wheel

Let go and allow the wheel to return on its own

Grip only the bottom of the wheel and pull up

Your score is

This section tests your understanding of proper hand placement, smooth steering movements, and safe turning procedures. Drivers are expected to know how to maintain a secure grip on the wheel, use hand-over-hand and push-pull methods, and make precise adjustments when navigating curves or corners. Mastery of these skills is vital for maintaining control in various driving conditions and reacting effectively to road hazards. Practicing these techniques helps new drivers build confidence and ensures everyone’s safety on the road.