Turning with Precision: How to Control Direction Without Losing Stability


There are several typical problems with steering that you’ll encounter at this point in your training. One is that the car is turning sharply. The other is that it is turning very broadly. This may be because you are using a reacting rather than a gradual movement to guide the wheel. Try turning in a large open space, or on a road where there is little or no traffic. Approach an imagined bend. Begin turning the wheel before you feel as if you actually need to turn and turn slowly until the car moves gradually into the bend

It is helpful to imagine the turning movement as a smooth arc rather than a sharp angle. As the car moves forward, turn smoothly in one continuous motion of your hands. Look slightly further ahead of the car, rather than directly in front of it; then your hands will be moving the wheel in anticipation, rather than reacting to the bend. Finally, once the car is moving straight, steer smoothly back toward the centre position. You should do this slowly, not suddenly.

It is common for a student to turn late, but then compensate by making a sharp steering movement. The car will be unstable as a result. In an attempt to correct this, you should practice turning before you actually need to turn, even if the car begins the bend too soon. You will improve with time. Another typical problem is to be constantly speeding up and slowing down during turns. You should try to maintain the speed for as long as possible throughout the turn.

If you are turning uncomfortably or unevenly, make it easier. Go back into an open space where there is no traffic, and turn the same amount in both directions at very slow speed. Try making the bend every time the same. If one bend feels easier than the others, think about why: Was your speed slightly faster, slower? Were you looking further away, closer? Were you turning the wheel faster, slower? This type of reflection helps you understand the cause-and-effect of how you are controlling the steering.

It would only take 15 minutes to turn widely in both directions and practice your turning with a low, steady speed. As you improve, you should turn slightly less widely, but do not be tempted to turn too much too soon! The more you practice, the more your steering will feel like a controlled, precise movement, rather than a reactive one.