About driving

Key driving skills

Turning

Turning can be dangerous, because it usually means you have to cross the path of other vehicles and must give way to them if they are not turning.

When a large rigid vehicle is turning the rear wheels may follow a shorter path than the front wheels. This is called the ‘swept path’.

Heavy rigid vehicles can have a large rear overhang. This means the rear of the vehicle will swing out away from the direction of the turn.

How to turn

To legally and safely make a left or right turn:

• the length of your vehicle and the width of the road may require you to swing wide to make the turn
• do a thorough check for other vehicles - in front, behind and to the sides (using your mirrors both inside and outside the vehicle) and oncoming vehicles that may be affected when you swing wide
• remember to check over your shoulder for your blind spots (the areas of road to the sides of your vehicle that you can't see in your mirrors)
• be aware of the fifth wheel position on articulated trucks
• be aware of the length of your vehicle (swept path and rear overhang)
• plan well ahead to be in the appropriate lane at an appropriate speed
• watch for pedestrians and cyclists
• signal for at least three seconds
• turn when safe.

If you are turning left, use your left indicator. If you are turning right, use your right indicator.

Be prepared to stop, even if the other driver should give way to you.

Turning from a driveway

If you are driving out of a driveway:

• slow down to a complete stop at the end of the driveway
• check the road and footpath for hazards, pedestrians and other vehicles
• give way to:
  • pedestrians on the footpath
  • vehicles along the road.

Making a left turn

If you are turning left into another street or driveway:

• stay in the left lane and finish in the left lane of the new road
• if there are two left-turn lanes use the lane closest to the kerb
• slow down before you turn
• check your mirrors and your blind spot
• signal for at least three seconds
• check for oncoming right-turning vehicles - you give way
• start your turn far enough into the intersection that your rear wheels
• do not run over the kerb
• watch the swept path of your vehicle in the rear-view mirror
• look for oncoming traffic on the street you are turning into.

Making a right turn on a road with no marked lanes

In this situation:

• slow down before you turn
• check your mirrors and look over your right shoulder to check your
• blind spot
• signal for at least three seconds
• move close to the centre of the road
• allow for your vehicle's swept path
• give way to oncoming traffic that is not turning
• turn when safe.

Making a right turn on a road with a centre line

In this situation:

• slow down before you turn
• check your mirrors and look over your right shoulder to check your
• blind spot
• signal for at least three seconds
• move towards the centre line
• turn when safe.

Making a right turn from the left-hand side of the road

If there are other vehicles moving fast or following too closely, or if the road is narrow, it may be best to wait on the left-hand side of the road to make the turn, rather than stopping in the middle of the road and holding up traffic.

In this situation:

• signal left for at least three seconds
• move to the left-hand side of the road
• be aware of the camber and the stability of the edge of the road
• wait there until it is safe to turn
• signal right for at least three seconds before you turn
• move when it is safe.

If a vehicle in front of you has also stopped to turn right, it's best to wait behind them and then use the same position to turn from.

Take extra care on roads where the traffic is moving quickly.

Making a right turn from a right-turn bay

A right-turn bay is an area where vehicles that are turning right can wait until it is safe to turn, without holding up vehicles going straight through.

You don't use the right-turn bay to overtake a vehicle travelling straight ahead.

As you approach the right-turn bay, the road will be painted with a white triangle with diagonal lines inside it, followed by one or more right-turn arrows.

You can only drive over the white diagonal lines if you are turning right.

Turning on or off a road with a flush median

A flush median is a strip in the centre of the road that is marked with white diagonal lines within parallel lines. It provides a place for vehicles that are turning right or vehicles that have turned right onto the road from a side road or driveway.

You can only drive onto the flush median to:

• wait to move into a gap in the traffic flow after you have turned right (vehicle (A) in the following diagram)
• slow down and wait before turning right (vehicle (B) in the following diagram).

Making a U-turn

You are normally allowed to make U-turns, as long as the road is clear in both directions and it is safe to do so. A heavy vehicle will have a larger turning circle than a car so make sure the road is wide enough for you to make the turn.

In a tight turn the tyres on multiple axles can damage the road surface so take care. Do not hit the kerb with the sidewall of the tyre as this will damage the tyre.

You aren't allowed to make U-turns on a motorway or if a No U-turn sign is displayed.

Making a turn over a no-passing line

You can cross over the solid yellow no-passing line (if it is safe to do so) when making a turn to enter a driveway or side road.

However, bear in mind that no-passing lines are usually marked where visibility is limited, so special care is required. It may be safer to turn further along the road, where visibility is better.

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Last updated: 28 September 2010