A 3-minute lesson from the Minnesota course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Divided highways and multi-lane roads have their own turning patterns. J-turns replace risky left turns across four lanes, and U-turns and left-lane driving are tightly limited.
J-turn
A design on four-lane divided highways that cuts broadside crashes: drivers on the side street always turn right, then make a U-turn at a median opening.
Crossing a rural divided highway: if the median is wide enough, cross one half and wait in the middle, staying right of center. With no traffic either way, you may cross both roadways if safe. Turn left onto it the same way, leaving room so you don't impede oncoming traffic as you speed up.
With one lane your way, if you're slow enough to create a hazard, drive as close as possible to the right curb or edge. With more than one lane, drive in the right lane when available, and move out of the left-most lane to let others pass when practical.
You need to go left from a side road onto a divided highway with a J-turn. Stop, turn right, move into the left-turn lane at the median opening and U-turn — yielding to oncoming through traffic before you merge.
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.
On a J-turn, which direction do you always turn first from the side street?
Left
Right
Either direction, driver's choice
U-turn directly
Answer: Right
At a J-turn, drivers on the side street always make a right turn onto the divided highway first.
