Turn left, turn right, make a U-turn

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Turning left, turning right or making a U-turn: positioning on the carriageway, priorities to yield and compulsory signalling.

Coverage, Turn left, turn right, make a U-turn

Lesson objectives

Master correct positioning before turning left or right depending on the type of road Understand crossing priorities and the rules for crossing between vehicles Identify places and situations where U-turns are prohibited

Turning left: the two situations

The positioning before a left turn depends entirely on the type of road you are driving on. This distinction is crucial and comes up regularly in exams.

Case 1: One-way street

On a one-way street, you must position yourself as far left as possible on the road before turning. Since no vehicle can come from the opposite direction, you can move immediately to the left edge without waiting.

Left positioning on a one-way street

Case 2: Two-way road

On an ordinary two-way road, you must position the vehicle as close as possible to the centre line (the central line). This allows vehicles coming from the opposite direction to pass on your right before you turn.

Warning: never position yourself at the far right of the road or on the lane reserved for vehicles coming from the opposite direction. Stay in your direction of travel, simply closer to the centre.

Left positioning on a two-way road

Turning right: simple rules

To turn right, article 19.2, 2° requires you to keep as close as possible to the right edge of the road. The driver may only move to the left if the layout of the location or the dimensions of their vehicle require it, and they must then ensure that no driver following them has started to overtake . Be careful: in built-up areas, you do not freely choose your lane to turn. Article 19.6 states this expressly, where traffic proceeds according to articles 9.4 and 9.5, you can only turn right from the right lane , and left from the left lane . What article 9.4 allows is to choose the lane that best suits your destination , so to position yourself in time in the correct one.

Manoeuvre

Action of changing direction, changing lane, making a U-turn or reversing. During a manoeuvre, you must give way to other road users.

Crossing priorities: who gives way?

When two vehicles want to turn at the same intersection, the priority rules are clear and unchanging.

Situation 1: One turns left, the other continues straight ahead

Article 19.3, 3° : the one turning left must give way to drivers coming from the opposite direction on the road they are about to leave . The vehicle continuing straight ahead has nothing to do: it is the one turning who waits. Note the phrase « on the road they are about to leave »: the obligation concerns the oncoming traffic on your road, not the traffic on the street you are entering.

Situation 2: One turns right, the other turns left

The vehicle turning right has priority . The one turning left gives way to oncoming traffic. Again, it is a serious offence not to respect this rule.

Situation 3: Both turn left

Two vehicles facing each other and both wanting to turn left: the code does not settle the question with a special rule. What it requires is article 19.3, 5° , execute the movement as widely as possible in such a way as to approach from the right the road you are entering. If both drivers respect this rule, they naturally cross head-on , each going around the centre of the intersection, and each approaches their new road from the correct side. This is the opposite of the reflex of « cutting » by crossing behind the other, which places both vehicles against traffic on the road approached. If road markings organize the intersection, they take precedence.

Head-on crossing: two vehicles turning left

Pedestrians and cyclists: absolute obligation

Two distinct obligations, and: Article 19.4 , the one changing direction must give way to drivers and pedestrians travelling on the other parts of the same public road . This concerns the cyclist on the cycle path you are crossing when turning, or the pedestrian on the pavement. Article 19.5 , they must give way to pedestrians crossing the road they are about to enter , whether or not there is a pedestrian crossing. And remember article 12.4bis : the driver who crosses a pavement or cycle path gives way to those travelling on it.

Making a U-turn: prohibited locations and rules

The U-turn is listed among the maneuvers in article 12.4 : you must give way to other road users and only proceed without risk of accident (art. 12.5). It therefore requires, like any maneuver, the prior use of direction indicators (art. 13).

Absolute prohibitions on U-turns

under a C33 signal, from the signal to the next intersection inclusive ; on motorway (art. 21.4, 2°) and on motor vehicle road (art. 22.2) ; anywhere where the maneuver would require crossing a solid white line or driving to its left (art. 72.2) ; and, more generally, anywhere where you cannot give way without risk of accident (art. 12.4 and 12.5). The two mentions that appeared here, "in intersections without traffic lights" and "in a one-way street", do not correspond to any provision of the code and have been removed. In a one-way street, what stops you is not a U-turn prohibition: it is that at the end of the maneuver you would be driving against traffic.

C33 sign

No U-turn sign. From this sign to the next intersection inclusive, U-turns are prohibited. Warning: this sign does not prohibit left turns.

C31a

Sign C31a prohibits turning left at the next intersection. A crossed-out arrow points to the left. At the intersection following this sign, you must continue straight or turn right. This prohibition often exists to improve traffic flow or to avoid cutting across a priority flow.

C31b

C31b sign. Prohibition of turning right at the next intersection. A crossed-out arrow points to the right. You must continue straight or turn left if possible. Respect the prescribed direction to avoid an infraction.

C33

C33 sign: no U-turn. From this sign to the next intersection inclusive, you cannot make a U-turn. You must continue and find another place to reverse your direction of travel, such as a roundabout or the next intersection.

The C33 sign (No U-turn) applies to the next intersection inclusive . Once you have passed the first intersection after the sign, U-turns become permitted again (unless another sign prohibits them). Common trap: the C33 sign only prohibits U-turns. It does not prohibit left turns.

Steps for turning safely

Check your mirrors and verify the blind spot Turn on the direction indicator (turn signal) Slow down sufficiently before the turn Position yourself correctly according to the type of road Approach the new road from the right Give way to pedestrians and cyclists

Never cut your left turns. It is dangerous, causes many accidents and exam failures. Approach the turn wide, almost at 90°.

Key points to remember

Left turn, one-way street : hug the left edge as much as possible (art. 19.3, 2° b). Left turn, two-way street : move to the left without obstructing oncoming drivers (art. 19.3, 2° a). Right turn : hug the right edge as much as possible , movement as short as possible , at moderate speed (art. 19.2). Left turn : movement as wide as possible , to approach from the right the road being entered (art. 19.3, 5°). Do not cut. Give way : to oncoming drivers (19.3, 3°), to users of other parts of the same road (19.4), to pedestrians crossing the road being entered (19.5). Art. 19.6 : turn right from the right lane, left from the left lane. U-turn : maneuver (12.4); prohibited under C33 to the next intersection inclusive, on motorways and motor vehicle roads, and where a solid line would need to be crossed. C33 prohibits only U-turns, not left turns.

Congratulations!

First do the quiz for this lesson to validate your learning, then practice on the exam simulator and the MCQs . You have completed this entire course. Congratulations, now for the practice!

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