The compensatory (feedback) component of a human driver's steering control is examined. In particular the effect of the cognitive process is studied. Model predictive control theory is used to implement models of intermittency in cognitive processing. Experiments using a fixed-base driving simulator with periodic occlusion of the visual display are used to reveal the nature of the driver's steering behaviour. An intermittent serial-ballistic control strategy is found to match the measured behaviour better than intermittent zero-order hold or continuous control. The findings may enable some insight to driver-vehicle interaction and vehicle handling qualities.