Lesson 1 · Right of way basics
Who has the right of way when turning left on a green light?
Short answer
Oncoming traffic does. A solid green light lets you turn left, but you must yield to cars coming straight at you and to people crossing.
Watch it play out
How to do it
- Signal and pull up to the line, wheels pointing straight.
- Wait for a gap in oncoming traffic.
- Check the crosswalk you will turn across.
- Turn into the nearest lane going your way.
Why the rule works this way
Your path crosses the oncoming lanes. The driver going straight has nowhere to go, so the turning driver has to wait.
Common mistakes
- Turning your wheels left while you wait. If you are hit from behind, you get pushed into oncoming traffic.
- Turning because the other driver "looks slow". Wait for a real gap.
Questions people ask
What about a green arrow?
A green arrow means a protected turn. Oncoming traffic has a red light, so you may turn after checking for people crossing.