Where Should You Put Your Hands on the Steering Wheel: 10 and 2 or 9 and 3?

Use 9 and 3. Modern driver training and safety guidance favor the 9‑and‑3 o’clock hand position, largely replacing the older 10‑and‑2 advice because of airbag safety and better steering control; some agencies also accept 8‑and‑4 in limited situations. Here’s why the recommendation changed, how to steer safely, and when variations may be reasonable.

What Safety Authorities Recommend in 2025

Most U.S. driver education programs, many state DMV handbooks, and safety organizations such as AAA teach 9 and 3 as the primary hand position. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has long emphasized keeping hands lower on the wheel—9 and 3 or 8 and 4—to reduce injury risk from airbag deployment and to maintain better vehicle control. The 10 and 2 position—once common when cars had larger steering wheels and no airbags—has largely been phased out in current guidance.

Current Recommendations at a Glance

The following points summarize widely taught best practices for hand placement and steering control in today’s vehicles with airbags and driver-assistance features.

• Primary position: 9 and 3 for optimal leverage, balance, and quick, precise inputs.
• Acceptable alternative: 8 and 4 for long highway stretches or to reduce shoulder fatigue, provided you maintain full control.
• Avoid: 10 and 2 with thumbs wrapped inside the wheel spokes—this increases airbag-related injury risk and can reduce control.
• Thumb placement: Rest thumbs on the outside rim, not hooked inside spokes.
• Steering method: Use hand-to-hand (also called push–pull) steering for most turns; minimize crossing arms in front of the airbag.
• With driver assistance (e.g., lane centering): Keep hands on the wheel at 9 and 3 unless the owner’s manual specifies otherwise; these systems are assistive, not autonomous.

Taken together, these practices reflect how modern vehicles are engineered and how safety systems deploy, improving both day-to-day control and crash survivability.

Why 9 and 3 Replaced 10 and 2

Airbags changed the equation. When an airbag deploys, it does so in milliseconds from the center of the steering wheel, and higher hand positions can place forearms or wrists directly in the airbag’s path, risking fractures or facial injuries. Lower, balanced hand placement at 9 and 3 keeps your arms out of the deployment zone while preserving maximum steering input range. Modern steering wheels and power steering also make the lower, wider grip more comfortable and effective than it was in older vehicles.

When 8 and 4 or Other Variations May Be Reasonable

Long Highway Driving and Fatigue Management

On steady, straight highway segments, some instructors allow 8 and 4 to reduce shoulder and neck strain. This position can be less tiring over time, but it slightly reduces your available steering range, so be ready to move back to 9 and 3 in traffic or complex situations.

Vehicle Ergonomics and Airbag Design

Drivers with different body sizes, vehicles with thicker airbag modules, or unique steering spoke layouts may find 8 and 4 more comfortable while still preserving a clear airbag path. Adjust your seat and steering wheel (height/reach) so your wrists can rest on top of the wheel with elbows slightly bent; then choose 9 and 3 as your default.

How to Hold and Turn the Wheel Safely

Good steering technique pairs proper hand placement with smooth, efficient movements that don’t put your arms across the airbag’s deployment zone. The focus is on stability, visibility, and predictable control.

Do’s for Better Control

These practices help you maintain consistent control and align with what examiners and safety instructors look for.

• Default to 9 and 3; use 8 and 4 only when appropriate and safe.
• Use hand-to-hand (push–pull) steering to avoid crossing arms during most turns.
• Keep thumbs on the outside of the rim; relax your grip to prevent fatigue.
• Let the wheel self-center smoothly out of a turn; guide it back rather than letting it spin freely.
• Adjust seat and wheel so your shoulders stay against the seatback and your elbows remain slightly bent.

Consistently applying these habits improves precision and reduces the chance of overcorrection or airbag-related arm injuries.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The following errors are frequently seen in road tests and crash analyses, and they compromise safety and control.

• Using 10 and 2, especially with thumbs hooked inside the wheel spokes.
• “Palming” the wheel with one hand, which reduces fine control and stability.
• Hand-over-hand at speed; if used for tight, low-speed maneuvers, uncross promptly.
• Resting a hand on the shifter or console instead of the wheel.
• Relying on driver-assistance to steer without keeping hands engaged.

Avoiding these pitfalls helps ensure your hands are positioned for both everyday driving and emergencies, when fractions of a second matter.

Testing, Rules, and Context

Many state DMV handbooks and examiners in the U.S. expect 9 and 3 during road tests, with 8 and 4 acceptable in some cases. While exact phrasing varies by jurisdiction, the trend is clear: modern instruction has moved away from 10 and 2. If you’re preparing for a test, confirm your state’s handbook and follow its specific language. On closed-course performance driving, instructors also favor 9 and 3 for maximum control and consistent steering input.

Summary

Today’s best practice is to keep your hands at 9 and 3; it offers superior control and aligns with airbag safety. The older 10 and 2 position is largely outdated. Use 8 and 4 judiciously to manage fatigue on straightforward highway stretches, but return to 9 and 3 in traffic or complex driving. Pair proper hand placement with hand-to-hand steering, relaxed thumbs on the rim, and attentive engagement—even with driver assistance active.