In one embodiment, an autonomous vehicle is operated in an autonomous mode, where during the autonomous mode, the autonomous vehicle operates without influence of a human driver ridding the autonomousvehicle. An electrical current is detected flowing through a first electrode and a second electrode mounted on a steering wheel of the autonomous vehicle. In response to the detecting the electricalcurrent flowing through the first and second electrodes, the autonomous vehicle is transitioned from the autonomous mode to a manual mode. Thereafter, the autonomous vehicle is operated in the manualmode in response to user actions from the human driver.