How to Make Right, Left, and U Turns

Co-authored by Simon Miyerov

Last Updated: September 16, 2021

Making proper right turns, left turns, and U-turns just takes practice. When making turns, always remember to turn on your blinker, reduce your speed, and check for oncoming traffic and pedestrians. When making U-turns, make sure to check for road signs to see if they are allowed.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Right Turn

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Put your blinker on. Turn it on 100 feet (30 meters) or one whole city block before the turn. As you approach the turn, drive closer to the right side of the street. This will signal to cars that you are preparing to turn ahead.^{[1]
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2
Reduce your speed to 10 to 15 mph (16 to 24 kph). Do this by placing your foot on the brake pedal. As you reduce your speed, glance at your rear view and right-hand mirror to see if the cars behind you are slowing down.^{[2]
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- If you notice that the cars behind you are not slowing down, tap your break pedal a couple times to signal that you are braking.
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3
Check for pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycles, and other vehicles. Do this by looking into your right-hand mirror and by looking back over your right shoulder. Once your path is clear, make the right turn by turning your steering wheel to the right.^{[3]
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EXPERT TIP

Simon Miyerov
Driving Instructor
Simon Miyerov is the President and Driving Instructor for Drive Rite Academy, a driving academy based out of New York City. Simon has over 8 years of driving instruction experience. His mission is to ensure the safety of everyday drivers and continue to make New York a safer and efficient driving environment.

Simon Miyerov
Driving Instructor

Our Expert Agrees: The most important thing you have to do when you're making a U-turn is to look everywhere—look to your left, behind you, and over your right shoulder before the turn, and check your rearview mirror as you complete the turn.
4
Turn into the right lane. Not the left lane if you are turning into a two-lane street. Try to make your turn as tight as possible without hitting the curb. In other words, do not make a wide, sweeping turn. Making wide turns may cause you to go into the lanes of oncoming traffic.^{[4]
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- Do not make a right turn from a left lane.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Turning Left

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Pay attention to the road signs. You want to do this because left turns aren’t always allowed. If you see a sign saying that a left turn is illegal, then keep driving until you can make a legal left turn.^{[5]
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- For example, some traffic lights and intersections prohibit left turns.
2
Turn on your blinker. Do this at least 100 feet (30 meters) before the actual turn. As you approach the turn, reduce your speed to 10 to 15 miles per hour (16 to 24 kph) by pressing the break pedal. Get as close to the centerline or median as possible.^{[6]
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- Use the center left lane if one is available to make your left turn.
- Do not attempt to make a left turn from a right lane.
3
Come to a complete stop and yield to oncoming traffic. As you are yielding, keep your wheels straight by holding your steering wheel straight. If your wheels are slightly turned to the left while waiting, you may be shoved into oncoming traffic if a car hits you from behind.^{[7]
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4
Turn left once the oncoming lanes are clear. As a rule of thumb, do not turn if oncoming vehicles are less than 200 feet (60 meters) away from you. Once the lanes are clear, you may turn into either the left or right-hand lane if you are turning into a two-lane street.^{[8]
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- If you are turning into a single-lane street, make sure to not cut the corner of the oncoming traffic’s lane. In other words, do not make your left turn too tight.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Making a U-Turn

1
Check for signs prohibiting U-turns. You may make U-turns only if you are crossing a double yellow line, there is a “U-turn Only” sign, you are in a residential area, and if you are in the far left lane and no sign is prohibiting U-turns.^{[9]
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- You may also make a U-turn on a divided highway if there is an opening in the center divider and the opening is not reserved for law enforcement or emergency vehicles.
2
Turn your left signal on and reduce your speed. Once you approach your turn, get as close to the centerline of the road as possible and come to a complete stop. Observe the traffic and check for oncoming vehicles and motorcycles, as well as pedestrians and bicycles.^{[10]
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- Oncoming vehicles must be more than 200 feet (60 meters) away before making a U-turn.
- Do not make a U-turn from the right lane.
3
Turn you steering wheel to the left as far as you can. Do this to prepare for the U-turn. Once the lanes are clear, slightly accelerate and let the steering wheel correct itself to a straight position. Then turn into the left lane.^{[11]
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- Do not turn into the far right lane.
4
Avoid making illegal U-turns. U-turns are prohibited when there is a “No U-turn” sign, you are on a one-way street, and when you cannot see 200 feet (60 meters) in either direction (because of hills, curves, rain, snow, fog, and other obstacles).^{[12]
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- Additionally, do not make U-turns on highways that are split by curbs, two sets of double yellow lines, and other dividing mechanisms.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I use the brake and the gas pedal when I am turning?

Community Answer

When preparing to turn, put your foot on the brake. Ease off the brake and press the gas pedal lightly as you begin to turn. Merge into the flow of traffic as quickly as possible.
Question

Is it against the law to not signal when making turns or changing lanes?

Community Answer

It depends on which state you are residing in. Check your state's driving guidelines. However, as a general rule of thumb, you should always turn on your blinker when turning.
Question

How do I turn without being close to the curb or almost running into the other car?

Community Answer

If you're going to make a turn, drive until the curb is in line with the side of your car. Once you've done that, you can start to steer around making your turn.