A system and method for secure and restricted transitions between steering control modes for a vehicle with active front steering is disclosed. Possible operating control modes include precision, electric phase locking, and proportional integral derivative (PID) modes. Each operating control mode is monitored and the operational status of the modes are checked before transitioning. For security, the system can prevent transitions from PID to precision control mode and restrict electric phase locking mode to transition only to a mechanical locking mode.