How to Turn Left across Traffic | Driving Lessons

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We're going to talk a little bit about turning left across traffic. What I basically want to do is just take you through a typical left turn. The first thing we want to do is move our vehicle to the left, because if we're making a left turn, we have to have the vehicle on the left side before the turn. We're either going to hug the middle line, or we're going to use a left-turning lane if there is one. But we have to be far enough to the left so that we can properly execute a good, safe left turn. The next rule of thumb is that if there are cars which are coming straight, we have to remember that they have the right-of-way, so we have to wait for them before we make our left turn. Anybody coming straight has right of way over a vehicle that's going to be turning. So the question becomes, where do we wait to let that traffic pass us before safely making our left turn? The answer to that is, we wait in the intersection. We move our car into the intersection in order to wait to let that oncoming traffic pass. What can happen is sometimes if we're in that intersection, the light may change red. The fact that we're in the intersection gives us the ability to execute our left turn before the cars start coming in from the side. Our light will turn red before theirs turns green. It usually gives you about three or four seconds to clear the intersection before you have to worry about that traffic moving in from the side. That's the way to execute a good, proper, safe left turn across traffic.

[bee]

You don't have to wait until the light turns red to complete the turn even if there is oncoming traffic going straight if the said traffic is really far from the intersection and you have enough time to turn before the other cars reach the intersection...

[chrisorrick]

This video is useful if you're not from America. I'm looking to come across to America and this is a very different way of driving from here in the UK.

[benkenny]

but what if the light turns red, isn't that running a red?
also on yellow oncoming drivers have to yield?

[durrrrl]

You should have mentioned that only one car at a time is allowed in the intersection when waiting to turn left! Too many people don’t know that and then either get stuck in the intersection or there are two or three cars turning way too late.

[benjaminlin]

Can make a u.turn on traffic lights or no, thanks.

[vladiom]

Well let me tell you my opinion, MR Driving instructor, you are wrong. If you want to turn left in left turning lane, it is illegal and unsafe to cross the white line guiding the entrance to the intersection. You only should cross it if there is no oncoming traffic or any other obstruction like pedestrians/ bikes crossing on the left .And technically you execute your left turn maneuver without applying brakes. So Wait at white line- when safe to turn enter the intersection- and turn left. If you entered the intersection and had to apply brakes to bring car to complete stop, you are turning illegally. Yellow light is for cars to finish maneuvering in intersection, and right of the way is for going strait. If you did not enter the intersection, you will not on yellow, if you already in, you will try to turn thinking straight traffic will stop. Meanwhile they have the right of way. So say goodbye to your right T-bone side. Please tell me that this do not make sense. Majority of countries in the world prohibit you to enter the intersection, if you are not sure if you can finish your move before you start obstruction 90 degree traffic. If place where you from is different, then please double check your latest driving rules and flag me that I'm wrong. Much appreciated. And if I'm right, please correct this video to reflect current rules. Thank you.