Steering and scanning — Colorado Permit Test

Keep both hands on the steering wheel, with the most effective hand positions at 8 and 4 o’clock or 9 and 3 o’clock.

Hands opposite each other give you control in both directions without moving them. Low on the wheel keeps your arms clear of the airbag.

The most effective hand positions are 8 o’clock and 4 o’clock or 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock

When turning, the preferred methods are hand-over-hand or push-pull-slide, and you must not turn the wheel with the palm of your hand or let it slide through your fingers after a turn.

Letting the wheel spin back means you are not steering for a second or two. That is exactly when a turn needs correcting.

When turning, the preferred methods are the “hand-over-hand” or “push-pull-slide” methods

To be a good driver you must look ahead, to the sides and behind the vehicle, and always look left, right and then left again when turning, driving through or entering an intersection.

The second look left catches whatever arrived while you were checking right. It is the look that finds the car nobody expected.

Always look left, right and then left again when turning, driving through or entering an intersection

To avoid last-minute braking or turning abruptly you should look down the road at least 10 seconds ahead of your vehicle, which is one block in the city and half a mile on the open road.

Ten seconds is far enough that almost every problem can be solved by easing off rather than braking hard.

In order to avoid last-minute braking or the need to turn abruptly, you should look down the road at least 10 seconds ahead of your vehicle

You must check traffic behind you in your rear view mirror every 5 to 8 seconds, and more often when traffic is heavy.

It is the only way to know that somebody is following too closely or coming up fast, in time to do something about it.

You must check traffic behind you in your rear view mirror every 5 to 8 seconds

It is very important to look behind you when you change lanes, slow down, back up, exit an intersection or drive down a long or steep hill.

Each of those is a moment when the driver behind has to react to you. Knowing where they are is what tells you how quickly you can act.

It is very important to look behind you when you change lanes, slow down, back up

Look to the sides and beyond the curb, because other vehicles or pedestrians might cross or enter your path at any time.

Most of what enters your path does so from the side. Beyond the curb is where it is standing a second before it steps out.

As other vehicles or pedestrians might cross or enter your path at any time, you should be looking for them on both sides and beyond the curb

Which hand positions does the handbook call most effective?

8 and 4 o’clock, or 9 and 3 o’clock. Hands opposite each other give you control in both directions without moving them. Low on the wheel keeps your arms clear of the airbag. Colorado Driver Handbook, p.18: “The most effective hand positions are 8 o’clock and 4 o’clock or 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock”