How to Make Left Turns, Right Turns and U-Turns the Right Way

Turning feels like the most basic part of driving.

Yet a large share of crashes happen while someone is turning at an intersection or a driveway.

Small habits make the difference.

Where you position the car, when you signal and where your wheels point all matter.

This guide covers the technique of turning well.

It explains right turns, left turns, turns on a red light and U-turns, step by step.

Who goes first at an intersection is a separate question.

Our guide to right-of-way rules covers that part.

The reference here is the California Driver Handbook.

Rules are similar in most places, but check your own state handbook as well.

Before any turn: signal and slow down early

Every good turn starts well before the corner.

The California Driver Handbook says to start signaling about 100 feet before the turn.

That gives drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians time to understand what you plan to do.

Brake smoothly as you approach.

The handbook describes taking your foot off the accelerator and letting the car slow down.

Then press the brake lightly until you come to a full stop.

If you stop behind another vehicle, leave enough space to see its rear wheels.

That gap gives you room to move around it if it stalls.

How to make a right turn

The handbook lists these steps for a right turn:

  1. Drive close to the right edge of the road.
  2. If there is a right turn lane, enter it at the opening.
  3. You may drive in a bike lane within 200 feet of the turn. Check for bicyclists in your blind spot first.
  4. Watch for pedestrians, bicyclists or motorcyclists between your car and the curb.
  5. Signal about 100 feet before the turn.
  6. Look over your right shoulder and reduce your speed.
  7. Stop behind the limit line, or before the crosswalk or intersection if there is no line.
  8. Look left, right and left again, then turn when it is safe.
  9. Finish the turn in the right lane. Do not swing wide into another lane.

The last step is where many drivers slip.

Swinging wide can put you in the path of a car in the next lane.

Keep the turn tight and finish close to the right edge.

Right turn on a red light

In California, you may turn right at a red light after a complete stop.

The exception is when a No Turn on Red sign is posted.

Follow the same steps as any right turn, and yield to pedestrians and cross traffic.

A red arrow is different.

The handbook says you may not turn right at a red arrow. Wait for the light to turn green.

Dedicated right turn lanes and bus lanes

Some intersections have a dedicated right turn lane that does not merge into another lane.

The handbook says you may turn even when the light for straight traffic is red.

If that lane has its own light or sign, you must obey it.

Always yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

Bus-only lanes are generally off limits to cars.

The handbook notes one exception. You may cross a bus lane to make a right turn.

How to make a left turn

Left turns take more care, because you cross the path of oncoming traffic.

The handbook describes these steps:

  1. Drive close to the center divider or into the left turn lane.
  2. Enter a left turn lane at its opening. Do not cross any solid line.
  3. Enter a two-way center left turn lane within 200 feet of the turn.
  4. Signal about 100 feet before the turn.
  5. Look over your left shoulder and reduce your speed.
  6. Stop behind the limit line, or before the crosswalk or intersection if there is no line.
  7. Look left, right and left again, and begin the turn when it is safe.
  8. Finish the turn in the left lane of the road you enter.
  9. Accelerate smoothly and let the steering wheel straighten in the new lane.

Keep your wheels straight while you wait

This is one of the most useful habits a driver can learn.

While you wait to turn left, keep your front wheels pointed straight ahead.

The handbook explains why.

If your wheels are turned left and someone hits you from behind, you could be pushed into oncoming traffic.

Turn the steering wheel only when you are actually ready to go.

The handbook also warns against turning the wheel too soon and cutting into the lane of oncoming vehicles.

Do not trust another driver's turn signal

An oncoming car may show a right turn signal as you wait to turn left.

The handbook says not to assume it will turn before it reaches you.

The signal may be on by mistake, or the driver may plan to turn just past you.

Wait until the other vehicle actually starts its turn.

Left turn on a red light

In California, you may turn left at a red light in one specific case.

You must be turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street.

Make sure no sign prohibits the turn.

Stop first, yield to anyone with a green light, look both ways and turn when it is safe.

Which lane to start and finish in

The handbook gives a simple pattern for multi-lane roads.

  • Right turn: start and finish in the lane closest to the right edge of the road.
  • Left turn on two-way streets: start in the left lane nearest the middle, and finish in the matching lane going your way.
  • Left turn onto a one-way street with three or more lanes: you may finish in any lane that is open.
  • Right turn from a one-way street onto another one-way street: start in the far right lane, and finish in any lane if it is safe.

Signs or arrows may allow turns from more than one lane.

When they do, stay in your own lane through the whole turn.

Bicyclists may legally use the left turn lane for their own left turns, so expect to see them there.

U-turns: when they are allowed

A U-turn takes you back in the direction you came from.

Signal, and use the left turn lane or the far left lane.

The California handbook says you may make a U-turn in these places:

  • Across a double yellow line.
  • In a residential district, if no vehicles are approaching within 200 feet.
  • At an intersection on a green light or green arrow, unless a No U-Turn sign is posted.
  • On a divided highway, if an opening in the center divider is provided.

Where you should never make a U-turn

The handbook lists clear limits. Never make a U-turn:

  • Where a No U-Turn sign is posted.
  • At or on a railroad crossing.
  • On a divided highway by crossing a divider, curb, strip of land or two sets of double yellow lines.
  • When you cannot see clearly for 200 feet in each direction.
  • On a one-way street.
  • In front of a fire station, including using its driveway to turn around.
  • In business districts, except at an intersection or a provided opening.

If you miss your turn

It happens to everyone.

The worst response is a sudden swerve or a stop in the middle of the road.

The handbook says that once you start through an intersection, you should keep going.

If you miss a turn, keep driving until you can safely and legally turn around.

A few extra minutes is a small price for avoiding a crash.

Common turning mistakes

  • Signaling late, or not at all.
  • Swinging wide on right turns and drifting into the next lane.
  • Turning the wheels left while waiting to turn.
  • Cutting the corner on a left turn into oncoming lanes.
  • Assuming an oncoming car will turn because its signal is on.
  • Turning right without checking for bicycles beside you.
  • Making a U-turn where you cannot see 200 feet each way.

The bottom line

Good turns are planned, not improvised.

Signal early, position the car in the correct lane and keep your wheels straight until you go.

Finish in the proper lane, watch for people on foot and on bikes, and never force a turn you missed.

Sources and Further Reading