Screw Drivers Keyboard Controls Reference

Full Keyboard Controls for Screw Drivers

Screw Drivers uses a simple but effective keyboard-and-mouse control scheme. Whether you are constructing an elaborate gear-driven machine in build mode or racing down a steep mountain track, knowing every shortcut saves time and keeps you focused on the fun. This guide covers every key binding in the game, explains common keyboard issues, and provides tips for efficient building.

Build Mode Keybinds

Build mode is the heart of Screw Drivers. You place parts from the inventory, connect them with beams and axles, and tweak your design until everything works. Here are the essential keyboard shortcuts:

• Mouse — Move the cursor to select and place parts. Click to attach a component to your vehicle frame. The mouse also controls the camera orbit in build mode, letting you rotate around your creation freely.
• R — Delete the part currently highlighted by the cursor. This is faster than undoing a long chain of placements. Use it when you notice a misplaced beam or want to swap out an engine.
• Q — Deselect the current part or tool. If you have a part attached to your cursor and want to cancel the placement, press Q to drop it back into the inventory.
• X — Toggle the stats overlay. This displays useful information about your build and highlights structural errors such as unsupported beams, disconnected axles, or wheels that are not properly attached. Checking stats before driving saves you from discovering problems mid-race.
• N — Enter build mode. When you are driving your vehicle and want to make adjustments, press N to pause the action and open the build interface. You can return to driving afterward without losing progress on the current run.

These five inputs cover the vast majority of building actions. Combined with mouse movement for camera control, you have everything you need to construct anything from a simple go-kart to a complex multi-engine racing machine.

Driving Controls

When you leave build mode and start driving, the keyboard takes over propulsion and steering:

• W or Up Arrow — Accelerate. Hold to apply throttle to your engine.
• S or Down Arrow — Brake and reverse. Press to slow down or back up.
• A or Left Arrow — Steer left.
• D or Right Arrow — Steer right.
• Space — Handbrake. This locks the rear wheels, making it easier to initiate drifts and execute tight turns. Mastering the handbrake is essential for fast cornering on technical tracks.
• Mouse — Look around. Move the mouse to shift the camera while driving, letting you scout upcoming turns or admire your build from different angles.
• Esc — Open the pause menu and settings. From here you can adjust graphics, audio, and input settings.

The driving model in Screw Drivers is entirely physics-based. Your throttle input directly drives the wheels through whatever gear chain you built, so a vehicle with a long gear ratio will feel sluggish off the line but fast at top speed, while short gears give quick acceleration but a lower maximum.

Stepper Motor Keybinds

Stepper motors are special programmable parts that let you create mechanical inputs beyond standard throttle and steering. Each stepper motor can be assigned to a numpad key (Numpad 0 through 9). When you press the assigned key during driving, the stepper motor activates, which can trigger pistons, toggle mechanisms, or control custom-built gadgets. This system opens up advanced building possibilities like retractable wings, shifting body panels, or mechanical launchers.

To assign a stepper motor key, place the stepper motor on your build, then select it and choose the desired numpad key from the configuration options. You must have a numpad on your keyboard for this feature to work.

Camera Controls

The camera system works differently in build mode versus driving:

• Build Mode — Move the mouse to orbit the camera around the selected part or the center of your build. Scroll wheel zooms in and out. There is no fixed camera angle, so you can inspect connections from any perspective.
• Driving — Move the mouse to look around relative to the vehicle. The camera follows the car by default, but you can freely rotate the view to look behind you or to the side. This is useful for checking traffic in multiplayer or lining up a tricky jump.

Common Keyboard Issues and Fixes

The most frequently reported keyboard problem in Screw Drivers is the keyboard suddenly stopping work. This happens because the game has automatic controller detection. If you have a gamepad, steering wheel, or any HID game controller connected to your PC — even if it is powered off or sitting in a drawer — the game may detect it and switch the active input device away from your keyboard.

Here is how to fix it:

1. Press Esc to open the settings menu. If the keyboard is completely unresponsive, try disconnecting any USB controllers first.
2. Navigate the menu using the arrow keys. These usually still work even when the main input is set to a controller.
3. Find the input device setting and switch it to Mouse/Keyboard.
4. Return to the game. Your keyboard should now work normally.

Be aware that settings reset when loading career mode is a known bug. You may need to repeat this fix each time you start a career session.

Tips for Efficient Keyboard Building

Experienced builders in the Screw Drivers community recommend a few keyboard habits that speed up construction:

• Use X frequently. Toggle the stats overlay after every major section of your build. Catching a disconnected axle early is far easier than rebuilding half your chassis.
• Delete with R instead of undo. The delete key is instant and targeted, while undo can be unreliable in complex builds.
• Switch to driving with N to test often. Do not wait until your build is finished to test drive. Pop into driving mode every few minutes to check balance, steering response, and acceleration. This iterative approach leads to better vehicles.
• Keep one hand on the mouse and one on the keyboard. Build mode is designed for this two-hand workflow. Your dominant hand controls placement and camera while the other handles shortcuts.

For help with controller input instead, see our Controller Setup guide. If you are just getting started with the game, check out the Getting Started Guide for beginner tips, or visit the Troubleshooting Guide for solutions to other common problems.