Proper Lane Use And Destination Lane For Turns

School will teach you to pass your test. So whatever the school had taught you then go with that. Your trainer (hopefully you get a good one) will teach you how to maneuver in the real world. While the manual teaches us what "looks good", more often than not it isn't practical out here. Don't over think it.

Starting a turn in one lane and finishing the turn in another lane is technically an illegal lane change, so that would be the law broken. Start in the left, finish in the left, then change lanes as needed, or vice versa.

Even the example Bruce gave, we are supposed to swing wide enough to clear curbs and cars, yet still finish the turn in the lane in which the turn began. It's annoying when doing a turn correctly and needing to get over, only to have a 4-wheeler decide to block the lane needed.

Since Chris J started this thread, I’ve been paying close attention to this issue as I drive in order to gain a better understanding.

Today I had a good situation to comment on. I came to an intersection that had a single left turn lane. The cross road had two lanes in each direction, with a narrow median separating the traffic. It was a controlled intersection and I got stopped in the left turn lane by the red light. As I sat there, I could see that there was a car stopped at the intersection waiting to make a left turn from the lane I would have to go past for my turn. (I hope that makes sense). Anyway, I get the green left turn arrow and that car was still there, but had crept ahead about 3 feet past where it should have stopped. It would have been difficult to make that left turn into the left lane (left to left method) even if that car was not there, but now it was impossible. So I went straight as far as possible and made my left turn into the right lane. It was my only option in this example.

My point is that the real criteria is to do what is necessary to avoid: 1) Running over anything. 2) Hitting anything. This is where pragmatism and common sense merge with experience. Textbook teachings don’t always apply in the real world.

Chris J: Really a good topic!

Since Chris J started this thread, I’ve been paying close attention to this issue as I drive in order to gain a better understanding.

Today I had a good situation to comment on. I came to an intersection that had a single left turn lane. The cross road had two lanes in each direction, with a narrow median separating the traffic. It was a controlled intersection and I got stopped in the left turn lane by the red light. As I sat there, I could see that there was a car stopped at the intersection waiting to make a left turn from the lane I would have to go past for my turn. (I hope that makes sense). Anyway, I get the green left turn arrow and that car was still there, but had crept ahead about 3 feet past where it should have stopped. It would have been difficult to make that left turn into the left lane (left to left method) even if that car was not there, but now it was impossible. So I went straight as far as possible and made my left turn into the right lane. It was my only option in this example.

My point is that the real criteria is to do what is necessary to avoid: 1) Running over anything. 2) Hitting anything. This is where pragmatism and common sense merge with experience. Textbook teachings don’t always apply in the real world.

Chris J: Really a good topic!

I would like to more clearly explain "start in the left, finish in the left." What this DOESN'T mean is that you can't take any of the right lane in order to clear cars, medians, plants, poles, etc. It means turn as wide as needed, but you must return to the left lane, once you have cleared whatever the obstacle is. If you make a left turn with one turn lane onto a road that has multiple lanes and finish the turn in any lane to the right of the left lane, that's an illegal lane change. It's no different than making a right turn. All of us use up that left lane to make right turns in some cases. But, where do we finish the turn? In the right lane. How do we do it? Swing wide enough to clear, curbs, poles, people, and vehicles, then come back to the right lane with the nose of the truck. Apply that to a single left turn lane onto a multiple lane road. Pull out as far as needed to be able to clear obstacles. Begin the turn, taking up as much space as needed to clear obstacles. Once the obstacles can be cleared, begin moving the nose of the truck back to the left lane. That was beginning a turn in the left lane and finishing the turn in the left lane. If the left lane is not needed for an upcoming left turn, signal to change lanes to the right lane and move over when it's safe and legal.

To do it any other way than that, in the scenario described is an illegal lane change.

School will teach you to pass your test. So whatever the school had taught you then go with that. Your trainer (hopefully you get a good one) will teach you how to maneuver in the real world. While the manual teaches us what "looks good", more often than not it isn't practical out here. Don't over think it.

Respectfully disagree. The only thing that prevents us from driving in the manner that is expected for CDL exam is discipline and patience. It's your choice to do things a different way. The vehicle dimensions didn't change from the time the CDL exam was taken to the time a person ends up with a trainer. It might take a couple of minutes longer to do things the right way versus the convenient way, but it's never impossible to do things the right way. It requires planning, patience, and discipline.

There are times, most certainly turning from a single left turn to a multiple lane cross street that the safest thing to do is actually use the right lane on the cross street.

If there is a vehicle behind you, that the driver is impatient, and you have swung into that right lane, the car driver frequently will assume you are going to take that right lane and will attempt to and or actually occupy the left lane on the cross street. If you continue your arc back into the left lane, you risk collision with driver and your trailer. By far, a possible citation for an illegal lane change is a far less evil than hitting a car, even more so as you would be at fault and its preventable.

Another situation is where you have a right turn immediately following the left. There are many many routes that this occurs on. If you swing all the way to the left lane on completion, cars can and will make a free right while you are completing your left or shortly thereafter, you once again run the risk of collision. Its much safe in that instance to take the right lane and proceed to make your right. You effectively shut down the opportunity for them to come up the inside of your trailer before it becomes a problem.

If I recall correctly in school, Our instructors discussed this. They said the general basis, the base method is left to left but understand there are times when it becomes necessary to deviate with prudence.

There are times, most certainly turning from a single left turn to a multiple lane cross street that the safest thing to do is actually use the right lane on the cross street.

If there is a vehicle behind you, that the driver is impatient, and you have swung into that right lane, the car driver frequently will assume you are going to take that right lane and will attempt to and or actually occupy the left lane on the cross street. If you continue your arc back into the left lane, you risk collision with driver and your trailer. By far, a possible citation for an illegal lane change is a far less evil than hitting a car, even more so as you would be at fault and its preventable.

Another situation is where you have a right turn immediately following the left. There are many many routes that this occurs on. If you swing all the way to the left lane on completion, cars can and will make a free right while you are completing your left or shortly thereafter, you once again run the risk of collision. Its much safe in that instance to take the right lane and proceed to make your right. You effectively shut down the opportunity for them to come up the inside of your trailer before it becomes a problem.

If I recall correctly in school, Our instructors discussed this. They said the general basis, the base method is left to left but understand there are times when it becomes necessary to deviate with prudence.

You are right. I will say that if the tandems hug the left close enough, it doesn't allow for someone to try to sneak in there on the left. If someone tries some truly crazy stuff by forcing into a space that isn't left for them, obviously whatever action is needed to avoid a collision is necessary. I hate making that left turn with a right turn coming up soon after because sometimes getting over is a pain. The reason it's important not to take that right lane before completing the turn is right turning vehicles may not stop before making their turn. You might think that right lane is clear until a right turning vehicle you didn't notice approaching the intersection is in that lane. Now you have an illegal lane change with a preventable accident. At least in the scenario you described, you have the ability to say that the turn was being performed correctly and the other driver was unpredictable and erratic. There is no such defense, if you make a left turn and take the right lane prematurely.

There are innumerable situations where doing things differently than what is taught can seem to save time or even prevent potential accidents. The only things that prevent accidents is always being aware, planning ahead to prevent distractions and being in a rush, plus a willingness to let another driver think that they are in the right.

There are times, most certainly turning from a single left turn to a multiple lane cross street that the safest thing to do is actually use the right lane on the cross street.

If there is a vehicle behind you, that the driver is impatient, and you have swung into that right lane, the car driver frequently will assume you are going to take that right lane and will attempt to and or actually occupy the left lane on the cross street. If you continue your arc back into the left lane, you risk collision with driver and your trailer. By far, a possible citation for an illegal lane change is a far less evil than hitting a car, even more so as you would be at fault and its preventable.

Another situation is where you have a right turn immediately following the left. There are many many routes that this occurs on. If you swing all the way to the left lane on completion, cars can and will make a free right while you are completing your left or shortly thereafter, you once again run the risk of collision. Its much safe in that instance to take the right lane and proceed to make your right. You effectively shut down the opportunity for them to come up the inside of your trailer before it becomes a problem.

If I recall correctly in school, Our instructors discussed this. They said the general basis, the base method is left to left but understand there are times when it becomes necessary to deviate with prudence.

There are times, most certainly turning from a single left turn to a multiple lane cross street that the safest thing to do is actually use the right lane on the cross street.

If there is a vehicle behind you, that the driver is impatient, and you have swung into that right lane, the car driver frequently will assume you are going to take that right lane and will attempt to and or actually occupy the left lane on the cross street. If you continue your arc back into the left lane, you risk collision with driver and your trailer. By far, a possible citation for an illegal lane change is a far less evil than hitting a car, even more so as you would be at fault and its preventable.

Another situation is where you have a right turn immediately following the left. There are many many routes that this occurs on. If you swing all the way to the left lane on completion, cars can and will make a free right while you are completing your left or shortly thereafter, you once again run the risk of collision. Its much safe in that instance to take the right lane and proceed to make your right. You effectively shut down the opportunity for them to come up the inside of your trailer before it becomes a problem.

If I recall correctly in school, Our instructors discussed this. They said the general basis, the base method is left to left but understand there are times when it becomes necessary to deviate with prudence.

Davy, that’s a really good explanation. I’m not buying that “illegal lane change” theory because I think it just muddies the water.

If I have to take the right lane to finish a left turn, I am NOT going to move to the left lane just so I can move back to the right lane. And your example of having to make a right turn shortly after making a left is an excellent point.

This is a good example of using the mirrors properly. How many mirrors do we have? Two? Wrong, we have 6 mirrors. If we use our mirrors to their full advantage we will not crush any cars while making turns.

Has anybody ever been issued a ticket for an illegal lane change while doing a left turn? Ok, that’s what I thought. Lol

I’m not buying that “illegal lane change” theory because I think it just muddies the water.

I agree. Not only that, but Ryan says:

Start in the left, finish in the left, then change lanes as needed, or vice versa.

To make a left turn when there are two left-hand turn lanes, we don't start in the left-hand lane. We start in the right-hand turn lane. So that point is moot, also.

Finally, making a left-hand turn into the left-hand lane on a divided four-lane highway is physically impossible without running over the curb or other vehicles. You must go into the right-hand lane for your trailer tires to clear the median. So why go into the right-hand lane during the turn, finish in the left, and then try to move to the right-hand lane again? You're already taking the right-hand lane to make the turn, so just finish the turn there.

So why go into the right-hand lane during the turn, finish in the left, and then try to move to the right-hand lane again? You're already taking the right-hand lane to make the turn, so just finish the turn there.

The OP is preparing for his road test, and for his purposes, the answer is 'because that's what the CDL Manual says to do.' Rob showed the relevant section from California, and it's the same in New Jersey:

13.1.14(d) – Lane Usage

Do not put vehicle over curbs, sidewalks, or lane markings.

Stop behind stop lines, crosswalks, or stop signs. Complete a turn in the proper lane on a multiple lane road (vehicle should finish a left turn in the lane directly to the right of the center line).

Finish a right turn in the right-most (curb) lane.

Move to or remain in right-most lane unless lane is blocked.

Once he has his license, he can go back to relying on common sense and avoid unnecessary lane changes, which are inherently risky.