Check for Controlled Lanes and Signals
Check for any traffic controls or signs that may limit your turning. Some lanes will guide you in certain directions, through arrows either lit up or painted on the road surface.
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Preview Vehicle Position — Before and After Turn
The optimum position for your vehicle is the right-hand edge of the road. Remember to check for bicyclists and pedestrians at the edge of the road before moving toward the curb. From this right-hand lane, turn into the right-hand lane of the cross road, rather than making a wide turn.
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Preview Turning Across a Bicycle Lane
If you are driving on a road that has a bicycle lane, you should move into the bicycle lane when it is clear, but not more than 200 feet before making the turn.
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Preview When Your View Is Blocked
If your view is blocked, edge forward slowly until you can see around the obstruction. When all is clear, turn rapidly after checking to make sure nothing moved across your intended path to the right while you were busy looking toward the left.
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Preview Check for Prohibitive Signs
Before making a U-turn on a road, make sure there are no signs prohibiting this maneuver. You are not allowed to make U-turns on one-way streets or in front of a fire station. U-turns may only be made at controlled intersections from the very left-hand lane provided for the U-turn. Never make a U-turn in the middle of a block unless a sign or lane marking permits it.
In a residential area, U-turns are permitted mid-block if no vehicles are coming toward you within 200 feet in either direction and there are no signs are posted, prohibiting the maneuver. If traffic signals or signs shield you from any vehicles closer than 200 feet, then a U-turn is permitted.
U-turns in business districts may only be made at intersections or where an opening has been provided in a divided highway, if no signs have been posted, prohibiting this maneuver. These turns should be made as close as possible to the left edge of the left-most lane of traffic.
U-turns are permitted across double yellow lines if they are legal and safe, and if no signs have been posted, prohibiting this maneuver.
No U-turns are permitted where a driver cannot clearly see the roadway and traffic for 200 feet in both directions.
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Preview Scan for Hazards — Other Vehicles, Pedestrians, Bicycles
As with left and right turns, scan the route you want to take for vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians either already in your path or about to move into it. Stationary hazards such as construction barriers, stalled vehicles, wrecks, or debris may also exist in the roadway. If traffic is heavy, you are better off going around the block.
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Preview Vehicle Position — Before and After Turn
When making a U-turn, you should try to start off in the left lane and move into the right lane of your intended direction. However, there is no law specifying a specific lane that you must enter after you complete the U-turn. If there is only one lane in the opposite direction, or if you are able to enter the left lane of the opposite side, you may do so. Just be sure that you can do so safely (i.e., there are no vehicles that you could hit or that could hit you).