Topic 4 · Defensive Driving and Safe Driving Practices
When is it acceptable to steer with one hand at the 12 o'clock position?
- When you are tired and want to rest your other arm
- When driving on a straight, empty freeway
- When you are turning while backing up, so you can see behind you — correct answer
Why
There are only two situations that may require one-hand steering: turning while backing up (hand at 12 o'clock, so you can look behind), and operating a vehicle control that requires you to take a hand off the wheel. (Handbook, Section 5.)
Practise this in the real format
Reading one answer is not the same as sitting the test. The simulator runs the first-time adult form: 36 questions, 6 mistakes allowed, 83% to pass.
Source: California Driver's Handbook (DL 600, rev. 6/2025), the document the DMV writes the real test from. Edited by Fernando Aguilera. Aprobify is not affiliated with the California DMV.
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