How to properly make an Unprotected left turn

Steven Litvintchouk, M.S., Chief Educational Researcher at Driving-Tests.org

Verified by Steven Litvintchouk

Methodology & Editorial Policy

Steps to Turn Safely and Confidently

  1. Know the signal

    Solid green (no arrow) = unprotected. You must yield.

    Green left arrow = protected (not this case).

  2. Signal and slow

    Turn on your left signal early and reduce speed smoothly.

  3. Position and scan

    Roll forward to improve your view if needed, but keep wheels straight.

    Check oncoming traffic and the left crosswalk/sidewalk for pedestrians and cyclists.

  4. Judge a safe gap

    Go only when the gap lets you clear the turn without forcing others to brake.

  5. Go only when the gap lets you clear the turn without forcing others to brake.

    Steer through the turn steadily; aim for the correct lane and yield to pedestrians.

  6. If the light changes

    Not in the intersection? Stop and wait.

    Already in the intersection? Clear it when safe.

  7. General spacing tip (when stopped)

    Leave room to see the rear tires of the car ahead to keep escape space.

Preparing for your Knowledge Test?

Watch videos, then test yourself with real exam-style questions.

Driving Tests wall of fame Wesley
Driving Tests wall of fame Ida
Driving Tests wall of fame Kyunghyun
Driving Tests wall of fame Fiz
Driving Tests wall of fame Tony
Driving Tests wall of fame Marianna
Driving Tests wall of fame Paul
Driving Tests wall of fame Cindi

Trusted by DMVs, 2,600+ libraries and 12M drivers

We know what it takes to pass. And we’ve got the proof.

Driver’s Ed is - nobody wants to set foot inside the DMV. That’s why millions of learners trust us for simple, visual, effective prep.

An official & trusted partner in driver education

We are an officially recognized FMCSA Entry-Level Driver Training provider and a proud partner to over 2,500 libraries. We work with safety organizations like GHSA and the National Safety Council to help create safer roads for everyone.

A smarter way to study

Challenge Bank™

Our trademarked system automatically saves questions you miss, creating personalized tests that target your weak spots until you’ve mastered the material.

AI-powered feedback

Get smarter as you study. Our new AI-powered feedback provides detailed, question-level insights to help you understand the why behind each answer.

Interactive handbook

Go beyond the boring black-and-white manual. Our interactive handbook lets you read, listen with an MP3 audio version, or even chat with it to find the information you need, faster.