Tags show the kind of rule and whether it’s a written-test point or matters on the drive test (our tagging). Each rule links to its official source.
For a right turn, keep close to the right edge or use the right-turn lane from its opening, slow down, and check over your right shoulder for bikes and motorcycles.
Law Written test · Drive test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
A limit line is the wide white stop line. Stop behind it; if there’s none, stop before the crosswalk; if there’s no crosswalk either, stop before entering the intersection.
Law Written test · Drive test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
Before turning, look left, right, then left again. Finish a right turn in the right lane without swinging wide into another lane.
Safety advice Written test · Drive test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
Driving, stopping, or parking in a bus-only lane is illegal, but you may cross one to make a right turn.
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
For a left turn, position yourself near the center divider or in the left-turn lane (enter at its opening, never across a solid line) and complete the turn in the left lane.
Law Written test · Drive test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
While waiting to turn left, keep your wheels pointed straight ahead. If you’re rear-ended with the wheels angled left, you could be shoved into oncoming traffic.
Safety advice Written test · Drive test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
Turning left on a red light is allowed only from a one-way street onto another one-way street, after stopping, yielding, and checking for a no-turn sign.
New York differs: In New York City you may not turn on a red light at all, right or left, unless a sign posted there permits it. New York rule
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
Before turning left, don’t trust an oncoming car’s right-turn signal; it may be a mistake or a later turn. Wait until it actually begins turning.
Safety advice Written test · Drive test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
Before a U-turn, signal and start from the left-turn lane or the far-left lane. U-turns are legal across a double yellow line, on a green at intersections unless signed, and at divided-highway openings.
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
In a residential district, you may U-turn only if no vehicle is approaching within 200 feet.
New York differs: No U-turns near a hilltop, on a curve, or anywhere drivers from either direction couldn’t see you 500 feet away. New York rule
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
Never U-turn at a posted NO U-TURN sign, on or at railroad tracks, in front of a fire station, on a one-way street, or without 200 feet of clear view each way.
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
Don’t U-turn across a divided highway’s curb, median strip, or double set of double yellow lines; in business districts, U-turn only at intersections or divider openings.
New York differs: U-turns are also illegal in New York City business districts, in school zones, where NO U-TURN signs are posted, and on limited-access expressways, even where a path connects the two sides. New York rule
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
Brake smoothly: ease off the accelerator, then press the brake gently to a full stop. Behind another car, stop where you can still see its rear tires.
Safety advice Written test · Drive test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
A dedicated right-turn lane that doesn’t merge into another lane lets you turn without stopping, even while through traffic has a red light, unless a light or sign on its right curb says otherwise. Always yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
Where a left turn starts: on a two-way street, in the left lane nearest the middle; on a one-way street, in the far-left lane, whether the street you turn onto is one-way or two-way. The exception: at a T intersection where your one-way street meets a two-way street, you may turn left or right from the center lane.
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
Where you may end a turn: after a left turn onto a one-way street with three or more lanes going your way, in any open lane; after a right turn from one one-way street onto another, in any lane if safe. At a T intersection where your one-way street meets a two-way street, the through traffic has the right-of-way, and a right or a left turn may start from the middle lane.
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads