Steering methods — South Carolina Permit Test

Use hand-to-hand (push/pull) steering when turning the wheel going forward above 10-15 mph.

At normal speeds only small turns are needed, and keeping hands on their own sides keeps the car steady.

activity going forward above 10-15 mph.

Push/pull steering is preferred because your arms never cross over the wheel, lowering the chance of injury from a driver's air bag in a frontal crash.

An arm across the wheel when the air bag fires can be thrown into your face.

Since your hands and arms never cross over the steering wheel, there is less chance of injury to your face, hands, and arms in the event of a frontal crash when a vehicle is equipped with a driver's side air bag.

Holding the wheel at 2 and 10 o'clock is not recommended because it can be dangerous in vehicles with air bags.

The old high grip places your hands and forearms right where the air bag bursts out.

2 and 10 o'clock is not recommended because it can be dangerous in vehicles equipped with airbags.

Use hand-over-hand steering at low speeds, such as at an intersection or when parking.

Sharp, slow turns need the wheel turned a long way quickly, more than push/pull easily gives.

Use hand-over-hand steering when turning the wheel at low speeds, such as at an intersection or when parking the vehicle.

Use one hand steering only when backing up or briefly reaching for a vehicle control such as the wipers, flashers or lights.

One hand gives less control, so it is kept to moments when the other hand is genuinely needed elsewhere.

Use one hand steering only when backing up or operating vehicle controls (wipers, flashers, lights, etc.) that require a temporary reach from the steering wheel.

Above what speed does the manual say to use hand-to-hand (push/pull) steering?

10-15 mph. At normal speeds only small turns are needed, and keeping hands on their own sides keeps the car steady. South Carolina Driver's Manual, p.56: “activity going forward above 10-15 mph.”