Changing Directions

To turn a corner...

- Signal well before the turn

- Move into the proper lane when ready (far right for a right turn, far left for a left turn)

- Look side to side and check blind spots

- Sharper the turn, slower the speed

- Do not try brake and steer at the same time: brake first, steer second

Hand over hand steering

- Pulling the steering wheel down with one hand while the other hand crosses over to pull the wheel farther down

- Pulling hand is opposite to turn (e.g. left if turning right, right if turning left), crossing hand is same as turn (left for left, right for right)

- Once turn is complete, relax grip and let steering wheel gently slip back into the straight ahead position

When turning right...

- Always begin and end a right-hand turn close to the right side of the road (unless indicated otherwise)

- Signal well before turn

- Cyclists, limited-speed motorcycles, and moped riders go first

- Check ahead, left, right, and left again + blind spots before making the turn

- Move into lane when way is clear

Right turn on a red light

- Allowed if you come to a complete stop first and wait until way is clear (unless a sign says otherwise)

- Don't forget to signal first and yield to pedestrians

When turning left...

- Always begin and end a left turn in the far left lane in your direction

- Signal well before turn

- Check ahead, left, right, and left again + blind spots before making the turn

- Move into lane when way is clear

While stopped at an intersection waiting to turn left...

- Don't turn steering wheel

- Wheels will turn left and vehicle may be pushed into oncoming traffic

When turning left behind a bicycle, motorcycle, limited-speed motorcycle, or moped...

- Do not turn at the same time

- Stay behind and turn until the way is clear

Left-turn lanes

- special lanes for turning left for vehicles

- marked with curved white arrows from which you can make your turn

- some centre lanes used as a two-way left turn lane (not used for passing)

Left turn on a red light

- Allowed from a one-way road to a one-way road if you come to a complete stop and yield to pedestrians first

When approaching roundabouts...

- Look for signage to choose your exit

- Use left lane to turn left or go straight

- Use right lane to turn right or go straight

- Watch for pedestrians at yield line and stay in lane

When entering roundabouts...

- Visual checks of all vehicles present and entering

- Look left for incoming traffic (has the right-of-way)

- Adequate gap should exist in circulating traffic flow

- Travel counter-clockwise (keep right of central island)

- Keep moving (you have right-of-way) and don't change lane

When exiting roundabouts...

- Signal your exit and look for pedestrians

- Maintain your lane (stay left if in left, stay right if in right)

- Maintain your position relative to other vehicles

- Signal intent to exit one exit before the one you want to use

- If exiting left, watch out for vehicles on the right

When dealing with situations at roundabouts...

- Give large vehicles a wide berth

- Pull over for emergency vehicles (if in roundabout, exit as intended and pull over; if not in roundabout, pull to the right and stop)

When backing up...

- Check the way behind is clear

- Hold steering wheel, put vehicle in reverse, and turn in seat to look over shoulder in direction you're moving

- If reversing straight back or to the right, turn your torso to the right and look over right shoulder

- If reversing left, turn torso to left and look over left shoulder

- If turning while reversing, make sure your front doesn't hit anything

- Seatbelts not required, but buckle up before moving forward

Before performing a U-turn...

- Check to make sure no sign forbids it

- Must be able to see well in both directions (150+ m)

- Not allowed on a road curve, on or near a railway or hilltop, or near a bridge or tunnel that obstructs view

When performing a U-turn...

- Signal for right turn, check mirror and over shoulder, pull over to right side of road

- Stop

- Signal for left turn and move forward quickly into opposite lane when traffic clear

When performing a three-point turn...

- Starts from far right side of road

- Same requirements as a U-turn

- Signal for left turn, move forward left when way is clear

- Stop and shift to reverse

- Signal a right turn and slowly back up to the right

- Stop and shift to forward while checking traffic

- Drive forward when way is clear