The invention relates to a steering device for vehicles, in particular forklifts, for carrying out a steering movement of the drivable vehicle on a surface by manual operation by a vehicle driver, wherein the steering device is attached to or in an armrest of a vehicle seat, wherein the steering device comprises at least one rotatable wheel element which can be at least partially grasped on the circumference by the fingers of a hand of the vehicle driver placed on the steering device and can be rotated about an axis of rotation for a steering movement.