A lateral control error of a steering system of an ADV is determined, which includes iteratively performing following operations for a predetermined time period. Whether the ADV is moving within a predetermined proximity of a current moving direction is determined. Next, whether a road condition of a road on which the ADV is driving satisfies a predetermined road condition is determined. Then, a first steering feedback of the ADV in response to a prior steering control command is measured. Thereafter, the lateral control error is determined based on at least a portion of the first steering feedback over the predetermined time period. Further, a steering command in view of the lateral control error of the steering system is generated. Finally, the steering command is applied to control the ADV to compensate the lateral control error of the steering system.