Yoke Steering Wheels Are Banned In China

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has released a draft of a new mandatory safety standard that will come into effect on January 1, 2027. The legal language clearly states that yoke steering wheels are being phased out. They are banned. 

The updated rule replaces a long-standing 2011 standard and tightens crash requirements, China’s Autohome reports. It aligns steering wheel impact forces with international regulations and reduces the permissible horizontal force to 11,110 newtons, in line with UN rules. It also places stricter limits on how far the steering column can move up or back in a crash.

Regulators now require impact testing at 10 specific points around the rim of the steering wheel, including the center point of the weakest area. If your steering wheel is missing the top half, those points simply don’t exist. That, to put it mildly, makes compliance impossible.

Chinese officials cite accident data suggesting that 46 percent of driver injuries stem from steering mechanisms. A traditional round steering wheel provides a large buffer zone if the driver leans forward in a crash. The half-rim can allow the body to slide past the rim during secondary impacts, increasing the risk of injury.

Airbag deployment is another sticking point. With their unusual shapes and structures, yoke controls introduce unpredictable patterns of airbag deformation after deployment.

There are also everyday usability complaints. Unlike Formula 1 cars with tight steering ratios, most road cars require more steering input to park and make U-turns. Many Tesla drivers report difficulty maneuvering in city traffic, for example. Lexus has addressed this by shortening the steering ratio at low speeds.

When 2027 arrives, all new models seeking approval for sale will have to comply with the regulations, while existing models will have approximately 13 months to adapt.

• Also See: By 2030, Foreign Car Brands May Cease To Exist In China