Skip advert
Advertisement

Controversial Tesla yoke can now be swapped for regular steering wheel

The conventional steering wheel is now a retrofit option as Tesla Model S and Model X go beyond a yoke

Tesla steering wheel

Tesla’s new yoke-style steering wheel caused quite a bit of controversy when it was revealed in 2021 and now US customers that aren’t a fan of the design can choose to have a traditional wheel retrofitted to their Tesla.

The cost of the retrofit in the US is $700 (roughly £580), but there’s no word on if customers in the UK will be able to swap their yoke steering wheels back to round ones. Questions were raised about the legality of the yoke design in the UK, however, the Department for Transport has since declared it legal.

The DfT provided a statement which read: “The regulations relating to steering equipment (UN-ECE Regulation 79) does not stipulate any shape or size of the steering wheel.”

Advertisement - Article continues below

UK regulations mean that a car’s steering equipment could be anything – a wheel, a joystick, a handlebar or Tesla’s unusual new flight yoke – and still remain legal, providing the system can be used to maintain control of the vehicle and meet UK MOT standards for excessive play or movement. Lexus is also looking at offering the upcoming RZ SUV with a yoke-style steering wheel. 

Tesla launched updated versions of the Model S saloon and Model X SUV in 2021, both of which feature U-shaped flight yokes in place of conventional steering wheels - you can still purchase both cars with round steering wheels, however. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

When Tesla unveiled the updated Model S and Model X, the brand also announced a new feature for their infotainment systems called the “Tesla Arcade.” The company says its latest touchscreen has enough processing power to run modern video games – and that “wireless controller compatibility allows gaming from any seat.”

A DfT spokesperson also told the Sunday Times: “By law, drivers can only use screens when viewing driving information related to the state of the vehicle or its equipment, when navigation is displayed, or when assisting in viewing the road around the vehicle. Under the Road Vehicles (Constriction and Use) regulations, screens used for anything else should not be visible to the driver while the vehicle is being driven.”

That means that, even if it’s the front passenger who’s playing the video game, it would be illegal while the car was in motion as the screen is within the driver’s eyeline. However, rear seat passengers would legally be allowed to use the extra screen on the rear of the centre console for gaming – even when the car was moving.

It’s worth noting that the infotainment systems on current Tesla models can be used to watch TV and online streaming services – but the system becomes unavailable when the cars are in motion. Tesla will likely introduce a similar system for video game access.

Now read our in-depth review of the Tesla Model S here... 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Senior news reporter

A keen petrol-head, Alastair Crooks has a degree in journalism and worked as a car salesman for a variety of manufacturers before joining Auto Express in Spring 2019 as a Content Editor. Now, as our senior news reporter, his daily duties involve tracking down the latest news and writing reviews.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs
Best electric car deals - header image

Best electric car deals: today's top discounts and incentives on new EVs

Making the switch to an EV? These car brands have an offer (or two) for you
Best cars & vans
28 Apr 2025
Tesla, Trump and tumbling sales: what’s going on with Musk’s EV brand?
Tesla Model 3 - front cornering

Tesla, Trump and tumbling sales: what’s going on with Musk’s EV brand?

Revenue from Tesla’s car sales dropped by a fifth in Q1 compared to 2024, with Elon Musk stating he will step back from his US government role under P…
News
24 Apr 2025
New Tesla Cybercab preview: 300-mile range for self-driving robotaxi due in 2027
Tesla Cybercab Ellis - front 3/4

New Tesla Cybercab preview: 300-mile range for self-driving robotaxi due in 2027

Tesla’s Cybercab will be two-seater with no steering wheel and a relatively small 50kWh battery
News
18 Mar 2025
Trailblazing Tesla Model S and Model X finally axed in the UK
Tesla Model S - front cornering

Trailblazing Tesla Model S and Model X finally axed in the UK

A few left-hand-drive examples are still available, but once they’re gone, that’s it – in the UK anyway
News
25 Feb 2025

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price
BMW X7 - front

Car Deal of the Day: BMW’s ultimate luxury SUV at an unusually low price

German firm’s flagship SUV could never be called cheap but it is exceptional value at £735 a month – making it our Deal of the Day for Sunday 27 April
News
27 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025