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Colorado driving lesson · Speed, Turning & Parking

Signaling & turning correctly

A 3-minute lesson from the Colorado course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Speed, Turning & Parking
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
15, 16

A good turn has four parts: signal early enough, search for anyone crossing your path, start and finish in the correct lane, and follow the correct path. Failing to signal is a traffic violation.

Know the rule

Signal before any turn: onto another road, into a parking lot, into another lane, or when pulling out from a parked position.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
Signal minimum distance before turning (100 ft)
Signal at least 100 feet before turning in urban areas

How far ahead to signal

How far ahead to signal
WhereSignal for
Urban areas100 feet, continuously
4-lane highways posted over 40 mph200 feet
Rule of thumbAt least 3 seconds
Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

If your turn signals don't work, use hand signals. End the hand signal before you start turning so both hands are on the wheel.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
Hand signals (left, slow/stop, right)
Hand signals: left, slow/stop, right

Know the rule

Turning right: start in the rightmost lane and turn from the right-most part of it, as close to the curb as possible. Turning left: be in the left side of your lane.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

Where turns from more than one lane are allowed, signs, signals and/or lane markings will show the correct turn lanes.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

Finish in the center of the correct lane, usually the one closest to you. In multiple turn lanes, follow the white lines through the intersection.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

Avoid short turns (cutting corners), wide turns, late turns and straddling lanes. After turning, accelerate to the speed limit or traffic flow.

Handbook p. 16 ↗

Know the rule

Waiting to turn left, stay at the stop line or crosswalk until there's a big enough gap. Pulling into the intersection blocks emergency vehicles and limits oncoming drivers' view.

Handbook p. 16 ↗

Know the rule

Never turn your front wheels left while waiting to turn left. If you're rear-ended, you'd be pushed into oncoming traffic.

Handbook p. 16 ↗

Put it into practice

You're waiting to turn left across a busy road. Keep your wheels pointed straight, stay behind the stop line, and watch for oncoming bikes and motorcycles. Turn only when the gap is large enough to finish safely.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

In urban areas, how far before a turn or lane change must you signal continuously?
  1. 200 feet
  2. 100 feet
  3. 300 feet
  4. 50 feet

Answer: 100 feet

In urban areas, you must signal continuously for 100 feet before making a turn or lane change.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
On a four-lane highway posted faster than 40 mph, how far before a turn or lane change must you signal?
  1. 200 feet
  2. 300 feet
  3. 50 feet
  4. 100 feet

Answer: 200 feet

On four-lane highways where the posted speed exceeds 40 mph, you must signal 200 feet before turning or changing lanes.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
If your turn signals don't work, what should you use instead?
  1. Nothing; it is legal to turn without signaling
  2. Your horn
  3. Hand signals
  4. Your hazard lights

Answer: Hand signals

If your vehicle's turn signals do not work, you must use hand signals to indicate your intentions.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
When making a right turn, from which part of your lane should you turn?
  1. The center of the lane
  2. The leftmost part of your lane
  3. Any part, as long as you signal
  4. Close to the curb

Answer: Close to the curb

When turning right, you should turn from the rightmost part of your lane and as close to the curb as possible.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
Why does the handbook warn against turning your front wheels left while waiting to make a left turn?
  1. It wears out your tires faster
  2. If rear-ended, you could be pushed into oncoming traffic
  3. It is illegal in all situations
  4. It blocks the view of pedestrians

Answer: If rear-ended, you could be pushed into oncoming traffic

Never turn the front wheels toward the left while waiting to turn, because if you're rear-ended, you would be pushed into oncoming traffic.

Handbook p. 16 ↗
Where should you complete a turn on the new roadway?
  1. Straddling two lanes briefly
  2. In the leftmost lane regardless of direction
  3. The nearest correct lane
  4. In whichever lane has less traffic

Answer: The nearest correct lane

You should complete your turn in the center of the correct lane on the new roadway, usually the lane closest to your side of the street.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
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