How to Make Turns and Steer for Beginner Drivers
4 Answers
Turn the steering wheel half a turn to the right and return it to the center, shift into drive gear to start, with left and right hands holding the steering wheel at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions respectively. While driving, make slight left adjustments to the steering, about a quarter turn. Keep both hands on the steering wheel and, without changing the grip, gently turn the steering wheel to the left.
When I first started learning to drive, turning was a big challenge. The instructor always emphasized slowing down to a safe speed before turning, such as maintaining 20-30 km/h on city roads. The way you handle the steering wheel is even more important: keep both hands firmly at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions, and don’t rush to operate it with one hand. When turning left, gently push out with your left hand while your right hand follows; reverse the motion for a right turn. The key is to anticipate the size of the curve—smaller turns require smaller movements, and larger turns need bigger ones, but avoid jerking the wheel, as it can easily lead to loss of control. After completing the turn, always let the steering wheel return naturally—don’t force it back, which is a common mistake among beginners. I recommend finding an empty parking lot to practice multiple times, such as drawing lines to practice turning in circles. Once you’re comfortable, take it to the road—this helps develop road sense and confidence. Remember, safety comes first: slow is smooth, and smooth is fast.
As a beginner, what scared me the most during my first few days of driving was making turns. Driving school taught me to check the rearview mirror and blind spots before turning to ensure there are no pedestrians or vehicles, then lightly brake to reduce to an appropriate speed. Regarding steering wheel operation, the instructor said to keep both hands steady, allowing the wheel to turn smoothly during the turn without using brute force. For example, when making a right turn, the right hand leads by pushing the steering wheel while the left hand assists; for left turns, the left hand leads. After turning, let the steering wheel return to center on its own. If you correct the steering too abruptly, the car will wobble, which can be quite frightening. I'm still practicing and often make mistakes like turning too wide or too tight, causing me to drift out of the lane. Driving more on quiet streets to practice turning in circles helps—practice makes perfect.
The foundation of turning is to slow down and observe. Before making a turn, novice drivers must reduce speed, ensure the surrounding environment is safe, and only then steer the wheel. Steering should be simple: keep both hands in the correct position, gently rotate the wheel during the turn, and avoid excessive force. After completing the turn, remember to let the steering wheel naturally return to its original position. Developing good habits helps avoid accidents caused by sudden turns.
