Can You Operate the Steering Wheel with One Hand in Subject 2?
3 Answers
During the test, you are not allowed to operate the steering wheel with one hand. Below is a relevant introduction to Subject 2: Teaching Objectives: Master the basic driving operation essentials and possess the fundamental ability to control the vehicle; proficiently grasp the basic methods of driving on the site and within the road, have the ability to reasonably use vehicle control components, correctly control the spatial position of the vehicle, and accurately control the vehicle's driving position, speed, and route. Project Scope: The test items for small cars C1 and C2 include five mandatory items: reversing into a garage, parallel parking, stopping and starting on a slope, turning at a right angle, and curve driving (commonly known as S-curve) (some areas also have a sixth item: high-speed card collection).
It's best not to operate the steering wheel with one hand during the Subject 2 driving test. From observing many students during practice, using both hands provides much more precise control, especially for maneuvers like reverse parking and parallel parking where even a slight deviation can cause crossing the line. The test evaluation criteria clearly require proper use of steering controls, and being caught on camera using one hand may result in immediate point deduction. Students who habitually use one hand to turn the wheel often fail to complete full turns, leading to wheel alignment issues. Developing the habit of holding the wheel at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions during regular practice ensures you won't fumble during the test. I remember coaching a student on 90-degree turns - he always preferred steering with one palm and consistently crossed the line at corners until we corrected his hand position.
As a seasoned driving instructor, I firmly oppose students operating the steering wheel with one hand during Subject 2 training. Maneuvers like S-curves and hill starts on the training ground particularly test fine control—both hands are essential for stable steering. While the exam rules don't explicitly prohibit one-handed operation, any sign of unsteady steering will result in point deductions. Many beginners think they can lazily use one hand for wide turns, only to lose alignment when straightening the wheel, often stalling during hill starts. I strongly recommend practicing the hand-over-hand steering method taught by driving schools. With ten years of teaching experience, I've observed that students who develop proper habits achieve over 20% higher pass rates than those with careless grip techniques.
