Hand Position and Both Hands

The NY Driver's Manual, Chapter 8: Defensive Driving, says to sit upright and keep both hands on the steering wheel. Slouching or driving one-handed makes the car harder to control. A common safe position is 9 and 3 (or 8 and 4) so your hands stay clear if an air bag opens. Keep at least about 10 inches between the center of your chest and the air bag cover.

• Both hands on the wheel for normal driving.
• Eyes up: look well ahead, not only at the hood or the car in front.
• Check mirrors every few seconds while you steer.

Steering Techniques Beginners Use

Most modern cars use hand-over-hand or push-pull (hand-to-hand) steering for turns. Pick one method and practice it until it is smooth:

• Push-pull: one hand pushes the wheel up while the other slides to meet it, then pulls. Hands stay on their sides of the wheel. Useful for most NYC turns.
• Hand-over-hand: for sharper turns, one hand crosses over the other as the wheel turns, then you feed the wheel back the same way as you straighten.

Avoid spinning the wheel with the palm of one hand, or crossing your arms into a tangled grip you cannot unwind quickly.

Steering at Different Speeds

• Parking lot and curb work: slow speed, bigger wheel inputs. Look where you want the car to go.
• City streets: small, early corrections. Signal at least 100 feet before a turn or lane change (Chapter 5).
• Highway: tiny inputs. Sudden big turns at speed can unsettle the car. See highway driving tips.

Steering Mistakes to Avoid

• One hand on the wheel for long stretches (DMV: keep both hands on the wheel).
• Looking down at the wheel instead of down the road.
• Turning the wheel before you look (especially before a lane change).
• Death grip: tight shoulders make small corrections late and jerky.
• Resting an elbow on the door or a hand on the shifter while you roll.

Steering FAQs

Is 10 and 2 still recommended?

Many instructors now prefer 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 so arms stay out of the air bag path. The Manual emphasizes both hands and an upright seat more than a single clock position.

Should new drivers learn on an automatic?

Most NYC lesson cars are automatic. If you will drive a manual later, practice clutch work separately; do not take a hand off the wheel longer than needed.

Does poor steering fail the road test?

"Poor steering" and "vehicle control" are on the DMV scoring summary. Wide or short turns are marked too. See common road test mistakes.

How is this different from the other steering post?

This guide is the beginner overview. For technique drills, also see steering techniques.

Practice Steering with an Instructor

Smooth steering comes from reps with feedback. Compare driving packages for Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island.

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About the author

Amir writes for Drive Rite Academy, a driving school serving Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Staten Island.

Reviewed by

Michael, Professional Driving Instructor at Drive Rite Academy.

How we made this guide

We checked every rule in this guide on the official New York DMV pages listed below on October 15, 2026. Prices come from Drive Rite's current price list. Rules can change, so check the linked pages before you go. If you spot something out of date, let us know and we will fix it.

Sources: NY DMV, Chapter 8 Defensive Driving; NY DMV, Chapter 5 Intersections and Turns; NY DMV, Class D scoring summary.