To believe that 'feeding the wheel' is actually dangerous, a waste of time etc...

[Feminine]

I hold a driving licence from abroad, so does my DH. We are allowed to drive on it for one year , then we must sit the entire UK test again...

I've been driving for 7 years and him since 1977!

As we know the UK is obsessed with this feeding the wheel crap, we have been practicing.

It actually makes things more dangerous, stopping the car from doing what it does naturally.

I am not suggesting that crossing your hands is great, we don't do that...but not letting the wheel run through ones hands is, (imo) plan daft.

Worrying really, as its a fail here isn't it?

Feeding the wheel is just a more controlled way of letting the wheel spin. It doesn't stop what the car does naturally and shows you are in control of the car, which is what the examiners look for.

Why don't you book a lesson so the instructor can give you some tips?

I'm always in control, as is my DH.

Why do you think so many people give it up when they pass then? :)

Its quite safe to let the wheel run back through your hand, if you have control of the pedals etc...

I'll have to practice more I guess ..

X-posted.

Yes, we will be doing that. I just think we have been driving too long to relearn it.

Especially DH , who has driven thousands of miles over the years!

Hands on the wheel at 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock. Feed the steering wheel. Do not cross hands. Do not allow the steering wheel to spin freely. That is how we were taught to control the car when learning to drive in Virginia 40+ years ago.

I never knew we were obsessed with it.

It's just another one of those things you have to do ver obviously for the test that you'll probably never do again

If you are always in control then why are you worrying about failing? If you are truly in control you won't fail your test.

That wouldn't pass you here though zombie I don't ever cross hands, but I still have control.

Oh well :)

What zombie said is correct. By 'here' do you mean the UK because that is correct.

vallium because it feels so unnatural I guess.

I don't want something as pointless (imo) obviously hinder my chances.

I suppose after a few lessons it might become more normal to me...

Ummmm. Zombie obtained her UK licence in 1985. She passed first time in both countries.

seriously, how hard can it be?

I still don't get what 'feeding the wheel' is.

My instructor taught me (by demonstrating) that crossing your hands can be perfectly safe, depending on what you're doing, but his reasoning was, if you cannot learn to do something you've been clearly told you must do, you're not safe to drive.

Passing the the wheel through your hands LRD

I have the unusual benefit of having a few late teen/ early 20's siblings. They have all taken tests recently (last few years) and have had to make it very obvious (during tests) that they are feeding the wheel.

If you turn off the radio, its all you can hear swish swish swish.

Don't get that normally!

Ah, right valium. I didn't realize there was another option to that really! Other than taking your hands off the wheel? Surely it's a bit obvious that's not a great idea?

With the greatest of respect OP, the fact that it feels so unnatural and you can't get your head round it suggests you definitely need a lesson or five! because it's such basic stuff.

Letting the wheel freely run through your hands is dangerous. If you were to hit an object in the road, you could easily lose control.

Well exactly FRD taking your hands off the wheel means you are not in control , even though the OP says she is.

YABU it's easy to learn. Book some driving lessons and see what the instructor tells you to do.

LRD I mean!

You don't take your hands off the wheel, LRD, you just adjust your grip so the wheel spins freely through them rather than you 'feeding the wheel' between your hands.

This is one of the reasons I need to sort some lessons before I try to get my license here in the UK. I have never 'fed the wheel' in my life.

I've also never caused an accident, so I must be doing something right. Ah well, can't afford a car anyway!

nobody ever, ever does it once they have passed their test though do they ;)

I am a perfectly safe driver.

DH especially as he has driven since 1977....across state regularly.

I will practice , I will 'get' it, in fact I do do it, but...its annoying me.

Maybe because I have already got a licence and the blooming DVLA won't just let me exchange

But you don't take your hands off the wheel. The wheel can be re-gripped in less than a second. You just loosen your grip a bit so the wheel can freely go through them.