Learning to Drive

I'm glad somebody else asked that question cuz I had no idea about push-n-pull.  I've never crossed my hands on the steering wheel...maybe cuz I'm a guy?   Not to sound sexist but my US high school driving instructor said crossing hands over the wheel was a bad "woman habit"  To prove his point, he had everyone in the class of 20 do "donuts" in the parking lot to see how they steered the wheel in a tight circle; the majority of the girls crossed their hands and only 2 or 3 guys did the same.  (Mind you, this was back in the day when you could not be fired for making such statements in school!)  Then again, my wife is a MUCH better driver than I ever will be. I can't parallel park on the left-side of the road to save my life!

"Push-pull" steering.   Start with your hands holding the wheel at the recommended 10 and 2 o'clock positions, and let's assume a right turn.

Keep a grip on the wheel with your right hand and start the turn by pulling that hand downward.  At the same time, slide your left hand down the wheel to somewhere around the 7 or 8 o'clock position.   As your right hand reaches 4 or 5 o'clock, you should then be in a position to tighten your grip with your left hand while simultaneously releasing your hold with your right hand.   

The movement then continues by pushing upward with your left hand while simultaneously sliding your right hand back up the wheel to around 2 o'clock.  By the time your left hand has reached its original 10 o'clock position, you then swap your grip back to your right hand and repeat the process as many times as necessary. 

To straighten out after the turn, you then apply the same method in reverse, i.e. to straighten up after a right turn you would be expected to turn the wheel back by the "push pull" method using exactly the same method as if you were making a left turn.

I passed my test here doing the American method of crossing over or hand-over-hand method. I took no driving lessons either. I did ask the examiner if he would fail me for using hand-over-hand steering. He said he couldn't answer that. Well I had been driving here for 6 years (military exemption). I felt and still do feel unsafe with the push-pull method so I went with what I know.

We finished the test and he said I passed. I then asked about the hand-over-hand. He stated the purpose of the test was to be sure I had full control of the car, obeyed all the rules of the road and that I posed no hazard to myself, my passengers, my vehicle or other road users. Hand-over-hand is legal as one hand is always in contact with the steering wheel as the law proscribes. He went on to say that if a new driver or a driver with little experience did that, he would more than likely fail them.

Unless you are very aware of the rules and are an experienced and a safe driver with confidence during an exam, I would highly recommend at least a couple of lessons just so you are aware of what they look for.