Turning left and right

By the end of this topic you can

• You can use mirrors and signals in good time before every turn.
• You can position the car correctly for left and right turns.
• You can control your speed so the turn is smooth and safe.
• You can give way to pedestrians and cyclists crossing the road you are turning into.
• You can complete a right turn without cutting the corner or swinging wide.

What you need to know and understand

• For a left turn, keep close to the left kerb without hitting or mounting it.
• For a right turn from a major road, move to just left of the centre of the road or into a right-turn lane.
• When turning right you give way to oncoming traffic going straight on, and to an oncoming vehicle turning left into the same road.
• You must give way to pedestrians who have started to cross the road you are turning into.
• Do not overtake a cyclist just before turning left: they may be going straight on.
• Two cars turning right at a crossroads should, where possible, pass behind each other so both can see oncoming traffic.

Turning left without catching anyone

The danger on a left turn is on your inside. Cyclists, e-scooter users and motorcyclists can come up beside you, especially in slow traffic.

1. Check your mirrors, including the left mirror.
2. Signal left in good time.
3. Slow down and keep close to the left.
4. Check your left mirror and blind spot again just before you turn.
5. Give way to anyone crossing the side road, then turn into the left side of the new road.

Turning right from a major road

Right turns take you across oncoming traffic, so judging the gap is the key skill.

1. Check mirrors and your right blind spot, then signal right.
2. Move to just left of the centre of the road, or into the right-turn lane or box if there is one.
3. Keep your wheels straight while you wait, so a bump from behind would not push you into oncoming traffic.
4. Wait for a safe gap in oncoming traffic, checking for motorcyclists and cyclists.
5. Turn into the left side of the new road. Do not cut the corner and do not overshoot and swing back (a swan neck).

Back to back or nearside to nearside?

When you and an oncoming car both turn right at a crossroads, the Rules of the Road prefers that you pass behind each other, back to back, so each driver can see the oncoming traffic past the other car. Where the layout or road markings do not allow it, you may turn nearside to nearside, but take extra care because your view is reduced.

Turning from a one-way street

To turn right out of a one-way street, move as close to the right-hand side as is safe. To turn left, keep to the left. Some one-way streets have two lanes marked for the turn, so follow the arrows.

Common mistakes

• Signalling too late, after you have already started slowing. Signal early so others can react.
• Swinging out to the right before a left turn. Keep the car close to the left throughout.
• Turning the wheel while waiting to turn right. Keep the wheels straight until you go.
• Cutting the corner on a right turn, which puts you on the wrong side of the new road.
• Forgetting the final left mirror and blind spot check for cyclists before a left turn.

Test yourself: Turning left and right

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Junctions in Ireland