Can it be true? Push-Pull steering not a requirement?

I had one lesson a few months ago and the  entire time the only thing the instructor harped on about was this push-pull method. Because of this driving just felt alien and just plain weird, and I'm sure I wasn't steering as well as I normally would.

In desperation (since I bit the bullet and booked a test so I can drive when we have visitors in August) I searched if it was *really* necessary and came across this:

http://www.calmdriving.co.uk/latest-driving-news/push-pull-steering-is-not-a-must-anymore.php

Has anyone taken a test/lessons without using this method? I've booked with a new instructor now so I will see what he has to say as well, but this will be so much easier if I don't need a whole new way of steering on top of everything else!

My instructor encouraged me to use the push-pull method, but told me it is not a requirement.  The main concern for an examiner is - are you fully in control of the car at all times?  So in the overall scheme of things, I suppose the answer is probably more grey than a person might like.

The push-pull method is generally seen (here) as being something that ensures you are more in control of the car (whether you agree with that or not is a different matter).  If you were to get an examiner who feels strongly on that point, and there was an instance during the test when he/she didn't think you were fully in control of the car, the conclusion might be that you should have used push-pull steering to be in better control.  Still the issue at heart is not the push-pull steering, but control of the car.

Hope that makes sense & HTH.  Hoping you get on better with your new instructor - maybe just wait & see what he says to do! 

I had one lesson with some guy and he sucked about so many issues and said I needed at least 20 lessons.  I found someone else, had 8 and passed.   

I was encouraged to use push-pull and he had me practice with a plate.  I did mainly use it on the test but not totally.

Is it a minor fault?  I think it might be, but one minor hopefully won't be make it or break it.

Is it a minor fault?  I think it might be, but one minor hopefully won't be make it or break it.

I don't think it is.  I never had to practice on a plate - lol!  But I didn't find it difficult to pick up on that one - I did a bit of both in my lessons (push-pull & hand over hand), and I think I still do now.

The plate thing was funny, but I think it helped.  Shuffle, shuffle shuffle. 

Whether or not you'd need to use push-pull on the test is totally dependent on what the examiner thinks.  If they're a progressive type who values subtlety and nuance, he or she may think that there are many ways to demonstrate control of a vehicle, and use judgement to determine if the way you're using meets the standard.  I would estimate the chances that a) such a person exists, and b) you'll get him or her for your test are approximately 1 in 30 bajillion.

What is more likely to happen is you will get is a certain variety of English man in his late 40s to early 60s who believes the push-pull method was determined by the government in 1951 to be the sole correct way to demonstrate control of a vehicle, and has not been satisfactorily shown to be deficient in any way by anyone in the ensuing 60 years.

I'm joking, of course, but my advice is don't think of this as learning to drive; think of it as learning to pass the driving test.  You need to drive the way they want you to drive just once to pass the test, and then you can go back to driving like people normally drive.

Good luck!

ensuing 60 years.

I'm joking, of course, but my advice is don't think of this as learning to drive; think of it as learning to pass the driving test.  You need to drive the way they want you to drive just once to pass the test, and then you can go back to driving like people normally drive.

That's what I keep having to remind myself with my driving lessons too right now.

My American driving instructor taught me what I guess is 'push/pull' (from a video I just saw on YT) when I had my original driving test in 1994... She said we shouldnt move our hands from the steering wheel.

My instructor encouraged me to use the push-pull method, but told me it is not a requirement.  The main concern for an examiner is - are you fully in control of the car at all times? 

This is the key - fully in control of the car at all times.  I didn't use it and passed no problem.

but my advice is don't think of this as learning to drive; think of it as learning to pass the driving test.  You need to drive the way they want you to drive just once to pass the test, and then you can go back to driving like people normally drive.

Exactly! That's what my driving instructor said -she said, 'it's really obvious you can drive and you have all the traits of an experienced driver but you have to do all the things that make unexperienced drivers in greater control of the car, otherwise you won't pass' - so I did. Passed my test first try, no problems! 

Good luck!!!

Push/pull is not a requirement, and it’s not a minor fault if you don’t use that method – I didn’t use it and passed my test, and the examiner didn’t say anything about push/pull.

My American driving instructor taught me what I guess is 'push/pull' (from a video I just saw on YT) when I had my original driving test in 1994... She said we shouldnt move our hands from the steering wheel.

Wot did u do shift gears with your knees?