Tennessee: Vehicle controls and signals — Steering the Vehicle Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “How should you hold the steering wheel when you begin driving?” · “What is the term for reversing the hand and arm movements you made during a turn when you come out of the turn?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual" (March 2025 printing), Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.
All 16 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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What is the basic rule for a driver operating a vehicle with a steering wheel interlock system?
- Never turn the ignition to the on position when the vehicle is parked
- Always turn the ignition to lock before applying the brakes
- Never use the turn signals while the wheel is turning
- Never turn the ignition to the lock position when the vehicle is in motion
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Correct answer: Never turn the ignition to the lock position when the vehicle is in motion
Turning the ignition to lock while moving locks the steering wheel, and control of the vehicle will be lost.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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How should you hold the steering wheel when you begin driving?
- With one hand on the wheel and the other free for controls
- With a relaxed grip and BOTH hands on the wheel
- With one hand while the other arm rests on the door
- With both hands, as tightly as you can
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Correct answer: With a relaxed grip and BOTH hands on the wheel
The manual says to use a relaxed grip and always drive with both hands on the wheel.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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What does a firm (but not tight) grip on the steering wheel allow you to do?
- Steer with only one finger
- Turn without moving your arms at all
- "Feel" the road (vibrations, etc.) better
- Avoid using the turn signal
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Correct answer: "Feel" the road (vibrations, etc.) better
A firm but not tight grip lets you feel vibrations from the road better.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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Why does the manual warn against driving with your elbow or arm propped on the door or out the window?
- You will not have full control of the steering wheel
- It drains the battery of the vehicle quickly
- It blocks the view in the outside mirror
- It makes the turn signals hard to reach
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Correct answer: You will not have full control of the steering wheel
With an arm on the door or out the window you won't have full control of the wheel, and a sideswipe could take off the arm.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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When steering, where should you always look?
- At the hood of your car
- Where you want to go
- At the steering wheel
- At the nearest vehicle
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Correct answer: Where you want to go
The manual says to always look where you want to go, which tells your brain what to do with your hands.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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Looking at the steering wheel as a clock face, where does the manual say to place your hands?
- Left hand at 10 o'clock and right hand at 2 o'clock
- Left hand at 11 o'clock and right hand at 1 o'clock
- Left hand at 7 o'clock and right hand at 5 o'clock
- Left hand at 9 o'clock and right hand at 3 o'clock
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Correct answer: Left hand at 9 o'clock and right hand at 3 o'clock
The manual places the left hand at 9 o'clock and the right hand at 3 o'clock, which helps avoid injury from air bag deployment.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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When the palm of your hand reaches the top of the steering wheel, how should your arm be?
- With a slight bend in the elbow
- With the elbow locked straight
- With the arm fully extended
- With the elbow pressed against your ribs
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Correct answer: With a slight bend in the elbow
The manual says to have a slight bend in the elbow and never to sit with elbows locked in a stiff-arm position.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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What is the term for reversing the hand and arm movements you made during a turn when you come out of the turn?
- Push-pull steering
- Hand-over-hand steering
- Countersteering
- Wheel slipping
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Correct answer: Countersteering
Reversing the hand and arm movements coming out of a turn is called countersteering; it makes turns smooth and helps in skids.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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Which of these is OK while you are turning the steering wheel?
- Crossing your arms
- Resting your elbow on the door
- Crossing your wrists
- Letting the wheel slip through your fingers
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Correct answer: Crossing your wrists
The manual says it is OK to cross wrists, but not arms, because clothing and jewelry may interfere and air bag injuries would be worse.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 28 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 28)
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Which steering method does the manual recommend for normal everyday driving?
- Push-Pull
- Hand-over-Hand
- One hand at the top of the wheel
- Palm-to-palm
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Correct answer: Push-Pull
The Push-Pull method is recommended because it keeps both hands on the wheel and slows down turning movements.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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When turning with the Hand-over-Hand method, what should you be careful to do?
- Keep your speed up
- Use only your right hand
- Turn the wheel only a quarter turn
- Keep your speed down
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Correct answer: Keep your speed down
The manual warns to be careful to keep speed down when using the Hand-over-Hand method.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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Which steering method allows quicker wheel movement but leaves times when only one hand is on the wheel?
- Push-Pull
- Hand-over-Hand
- Countersteering
- Palm-to-palm
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Correct answer: Hand-over-Hand
The Hand-over-Hand method allows quicker wheel movement, but only one hand is on the wheel at times.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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In a Push-Pull left turn, to about what position do you pull the wheel down with your left hand?
- 7 o'clock
- 6 o'clock
- 10 o'clock
- 12 o'clock
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Correct answer: 7 o'clock
For a left turn you pull down with the left hand to about 7 o'clock, then push up with the right hand to about 1 o'clock.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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In a Hand-over-Hand right turn, where do you grasp the outside of the rim with your right hand, palm down?
- At the 7 o'clock position
- At the 9 o'clock position
- At the 1 o'clock position
- At the 11 o'clock position
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Correct answer: At the 1 o'clock position
The manual says to lean forward and grasp the rim at the 1 o'clock position with the right hand, palm down, and pull to 5 o'clock.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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When using the Hand-over-Hand method, where do you return your hands before you straighten out?
- To the 12 o'clock position, together
- To the original 9 and 3 o'clock positions
- To the 6 and 12 o'clock positions
- To the 10 and 2 o'clock positions
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Correct answer: To the original 9 and 3 o'clock positions
Before straightening out, you return your hands to the original 9 and 3 o'clock positions and then counter-steer.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 29 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 29)
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What happens if you turn your vehicle’s ignition to the “lock” position while the vehicle is in motion?
- The steering wheel locks in place and you lose control
- The engine stalls but the steering stays free
- The brakes lock
- The headlights go out
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Correct answer: The steering wheel locks in place and you lose control
Turning the ignition to lock while moving locks the steering wheel and you lose control.
Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (March 2025 printing), page 101 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 101)