Turning

Make sure to check your mirrors, surroundings and blind spot before turning. It is important to stay in your lane, signal that you are going to turn and yield the right-of-way.

Last second changes are unsafe and could cause a crash. When you are ready to turn onto a side road or a driveway make sure to check your mirrors and vehicles behind you. Stay in your lane while you make your turn and do not change lanes while turning. Do not cross over the center line when you turn. Leave extra space to large vehicles such as trucks and buses as they may cross the center line during a turn.

Left turn: Check your mirrors and look ahead to make sure your path is clear. Keep close to the center line. Check for pedestrians crossing on the left. Slowly approach the intersection and wait about halfway in the intersection. Make sure to leave room for oncoming traffic to turn in front of you. If you must wait for traffic to pass, keep your steering wheel straight. This is to keep you and others safe. If you turn your wheel to the left and someone hits you from behind, you will be pushed into oncoming traffic. It is important to keep your steering wheel, vehicle wheels and vehicle straight. Turn left when it is safe to do so.

 U-Turn: A U-turn is when you make one smooth U-shaped motion so that you end up traveling in the opposite direction. It can be very dangerous to complete this turn. This turn is allowed at some intersections and is sometimes needed. Make sure to check all your mirrors and for traffic if you would like to make this turn. Check for any sign that tells you not to make a U-turn. You can make a U-turn in any rural two-lane highway if it is done safely and you do not interfere with traffic. Below is an example of completing a U-turn:

Multiple turn lanes: Some roads have more than one lane to turn from. Make sure to look ahead to see what lane you need to end up in after the intersection. If you start turning from the left-most lane you should end up in the left-most lane. If you are in the middle lane you need to end up in the middle lane of the street you are turning onto. Be aware and alert to other drivers. To turn right off a four-lane roadway, you must turn from the lane nearest the right curb or edge of the roadway.

 Y-Turn: This turn should only be used in residential areas on streets that are too narrow for a U-turn. You will also need to use this on the driving exam to show your driving skill and judgement.

Remember to check your surroundings for each step below:

1. Signal right. Check for traffic to the right and in your mirrors. Pull as far right as possible. Stop.

2. Signal left. Check your blind spot. Turn left to the opposite curb. Stop.

3. Look behind you, over your right shoulder. Reverse your car enough so that you can move forward again. Stop.

4. Check traffic to the left and right. Pull forward and proceed in your lane of traffic