What should you do when making a left turn?

Question

Let's say you're making a left turn at a green light (not a green arrow). Should you pull out passed the stop line to yield to oncoming traffic or should you wait behind the line? When I'm driving with my dad, he tells me to pull passed the line so I can turn when the oncoming traffic stops for a red light. That way at least one car will turn left each green light. Just about everybody I see pulls passed the line. When I was driving with my driver's education teacher, he said not to pull out because it's against the law. I'm taking my road test in a few days and need to know if my dad is right or if my teacher is right. I don't want to fail my test just because I do what everyone else does. Thanks.

Answer 1

go with what the teacher says for your test. then when you hit the road on your own do as you dad says or you'll be stuck at the light for days.........

Answer 2

Number one: the teacher will not teach you wrong.

Stay behind the line. (I know, hardly anyone does)
The rule is you don't enter an intersection until you know that you will clear it. The law is you cannot block an intersection.

That's where a lot of traffic jams come from. People pull out and block the intersection. Then they can't go because someone in front of them did the same thing a block down. They don't let the traffic controls control traffic, and it gets all balled up.

Answer 3

just got my official license about 5 months back and had no problems on my road test other than not checking traffic while proceeding through intersections, best thing you can do is listen to your instructor. if your road test person is different than the person who told you not to do it you have a pretty good chance at getting away with it. now when taking your test act like you know what your doing and don't worry about what you see going on in the instructors paperwork, chances are their writing down all of your goods and realizing what to watch for for their other students. all in all don't get too worried about it personally i would roll stop at the line then gently slowly and cautiously roll out into the intersection like your dad says and proceed when oncoming traffic stops, because you had a green light the light turned red and now you are blocking the intersection well to unblock the intersection you need to leave so proceed and turn.

Answer 4

Bottom line..........find out what the law is where you live. Talk to an Examiner. They know best!
Where I live, one vehicle is to pull up over the crosswalk area with the front wheels over the lines, and the wheels must remain straight until you make your turn. You watch for oncoming vehicles, pedestrians and for the light to turn amber.
If the light turns amber while you are waiting, you have the right of way to finish your turn. Never back up! Complete your turn once the intersection is clear and do this promptly.....not fast mind you!
And an added note: If you can't see, don't go.....even if the vehicle behind you honks their horn.......after all, it's YOU who will be hit!
Yes, doing this will allow at least one vehicle to complete their left turn.Many drivers will argue with me about this situation in my area too. This is the method which the Examiners expect where I live.

Answer 5

you are legally suppose dto stay behind the line and wait for traffice ot clear, or for the light to change to a green arrow. YOu are NOT supposed to do wha tyour dad said. If you are IN the line of traffic when the light turns red you are in violation of the law, and you should recieve the ticket. Most people do go past the line jsut to be able to see the oncoming traffic.

Answer 6

Technically you're supposed to stay at the line, but most and I do mean most drivers pull forward and yield until they get the opportunity to take the turn, either when the light turns yellow and or red for on-coming traffic......which is not technically correct.

Answer 7

It may be different in different states, but in Ohio where I learned to drive, it is perfectly legal to pull into the intersection and yield for traffic when turning left, as long as you are the first car in line.
It's called 'controlling the intersection', and like your father said, it makes sure that at least one car can get through per light.

Answer 8

If you're taking the road test, you need to do it the way you were taught in class, or according to the driver's handbook in your state. Just because everybody else (including me, I'll admit) pulls ahead doesn't mean it's okay.

Answer 9

then listen to your drivers education teacher.. believe it or not he's better and has more knowledge than parents because he/shes qualified