Dry steering

islandlady

Hello,

I know this is mentioned further back on these boards but I was hoping someone may have an up to date answer. I have my test next Wednesday and I have up until now been told by my ADI that dry steering is not allowed when completing the turnabout maneuver and so I have practiced this way.
Unfortunately my ADI (who I completed my 12 lessons with) is away this week and I didn't want the week to pass by without doing some lessons so I booked in with different instructor who actually reprimanded me for NOT dry steering and said it was making me have to make more attempts at the turn (I did it in 5, but it is not required that you do it in 3)

I'm very confused as it is easier (possibly lazier?) to make the turnabout when I dry steer but I don't want to do it if it will have an affect on my test.

Any advice on this (or any other tips to get me that pink licence!!) would be much appreciated

Alanstrainor

Dry steering is fine for the test. It would be recommended to not do so by most instructors I would think, maybe especially those who are older. Dry steering on a car with no power steering can be very difficult, and some would say it could create flat spots on your turning tyres.

But essentially it's up to you, you can dry steer if you like. No problem. I would suggest that if it was possible to complete the turn in 3 points, then there should be no reason not to do so. Perhaps you're not turning the wheel fast enough, or moving the car forward/back too fast in an effort not to dry steer.

islandlady

Thanks for the reply, good points. I think I'll asses it based on the area for the day but I agree, 3 point turn should be fine. Today it was particularly narrow and I was completely thrown as she kept telling me to dry steer when I was used to not doing it! God help me, I just want it over now

Alanstrainor

islandlady wrote: »

Thanks for the reply, good points. I think I'll asses it based on the area for the day but I agree, 3 point turn should be fine. Today it was particularly narrow and I was completely thrown as she kept telling me to dry steer when I was used to not doing it! God help me, I just want it over now

You'll be fine!

If it was a narrow street, then there is no problem with a 5 point turn. And especially if you had not completed the turn about on that road before I would think it was a smart move! Don't read too much into what the new instructor says, your best bet is to focus on what you already know. Especially on something rather trivial like this, where either option is acceptable.

I remember when I was doing my test, I must have felt particularly confident that day or something. The point at which I was asked to complete the turn about manoeuvre was particularly narrow (this was near Churchtown). On my third point of the turn I took a gamble that I would make it. I'd say I missed the kerb by 2cm or so! I did pass, with no mention of anything wrong with that manoeuvre!:cool:

islandlady

I love that! A little bit of extra confidence in a test can only be a good thing - lets hope I have some to spare like you next Wednesday (test is in Naas). I think you're right, I'll just do my best with it! I completed my 12 lessons in 2014 and I am only now getting around to doing the test (living away from home in Dublin with no need for a car) so I think I am overly anxious that I am the stereotypical driver who has picked up silly habits but sure look, its just a test! The worst that can happen is a fail!

dennyk

Alanstrainor wrote: »

Dry steering on a car with no power steering can be very difficult, and some would say it could create flat spots on your turning tyres.

When was the last time anyone made a mass-produced road car with no power steering? Been a while, I'm thinking (and if your power steering is broken, you'll likely fail the test for that anyway). Dry-steering is not going to do any harm to your tires either, unless you spend a couple hours a day just sawing at the wheel while parked in your driveway or you have ridiculously soft racing slicks mounted or something. It may wear out your power steering pump a bit faster if you do it often, but the impact is minimal.

For the test, I dry-steered for my three-point turn and the instructor didn't seem to care; got no marks for it.

K.Flyer

More important not to touch the kerbs.
Imo, its better to steer while moving, unless the turning space is very tight.

MascotDec85

Dry steering is permitted in the driving test.

However, if an ADI, whilst being check tested by the RSA, were to tell a pupil that dry steering was fine, without any explanation of the downsides of doing so, the ADI would be penalized for not promoting "best practice"