Texas Driver Handbook 2017

Chapter 6: Signaling, Passing, and Turning 

Texas Driver Handbook

4.  Give the proper turn signal at least 100 feet before you turn. If using a hand signal, hold the signal until you are close enough 

to the intersection for others to know your intention. Do not hold the signal while making the turn, you need both hands on the 

wheel.

5.  Slow down to a reasonable turning speed prior to making the turn. Don’t use the brake or clutch while turning.

6.  To properly execute the turn, stay in the proper turn lane at all times. Make the turn correctly. This will be easy if you are in the 

proper lane and proceeding slowly enough at the time you begin to turn.

7.  Finish the turn in the proper lane.

How to Make a Right Turn

1.  Signal for a lane change well ahead of the turning point. When it is safe, move your vehicle to the far right lane.

2.  Use your right turn signal and slow down at least 100 feet from the corner.

3.  Look both ways before starting to turn.

4.  Keep as close as possible to the right edge of the road.

5.  Turn using both hands on the wheel.

Incorrect right turn

How to Make a Left Turn

1.  Well ahead of the turning point, signal for a lane change. When it is safe, move into the center lane.

2.  Use the left turn signal and slow down at least 100 feet from the corner.

3.  Look in all directions before starting to turn. Stay to the right of the center line as you enter the intersection. Yield the right-of-

way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.

4.  To complete a left turn you should turn to the right of the center line of the road into which you are turning by entering the lane 

in which you will interfere the least with other traffic. 

5.  Once you have completed your left turn, you may signal and change lanes if necessary.

Making a Left Turn From a One-Way Onto a Two-Way Street

If you are turning left from a one-way street you should turn from the left lane into the right lane, moving in the same direction. 

43

---

Chapter 6: Signaling, Passing, and Turning 

Texas Driver Handbook

Making a Left Turn From a Two-Way Onto a One-Way Street

If you are turning left onto a one-way street, enter the street in the lane in which you will interfere the least with other traffic. 

Other Turning Procedures

Watch for pavement markings and signs that:

1.  Permit turning right or left from or into two or more traffic lanes

2.  Give other special turning or lane information

44

---

Chapter 7: Parking, Stopping, or Standing 

Texas Driver Handbook

Chapter 7: Parking, Stopping, or Standing

Not all crashes happen while a vehicle is moving. An improperly parked vehicle may also cause a crash. When you leave your 

vehicle, turn the motor off, set the parking brake and remove the key. Be sure to look behind you for any oncoming traffic before 

opening your car door.

Do Not Park, Stop, or Stand a Vehicle

In the following situations, you should not park, stop, or allow a vehicle to stand idling:

1.  On the road side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street

2.  On a sidewalk or crosswalk

3.  Within an intersection

4.  Between a safety zone and adjacent curb or within 30 feet of a place on the curb immediately opposite the end of a safety zone

5.  Alongside or opposite of any street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing, or parking would obstruct traffic

6.  On a bridge or other elevated structure on a highway or within a highway tunnel

7.  On any railroad track

8.  At any place where an official sign prohibits stopping

Do Not Park or Stand a Vehicle

Whether occupied or not, do not park or allow a vehicle to stand idling:

1.  In front of a public or private driveway

2.  Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant

3.  Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection

4.  Within 30 feet upon the approach to any flashing signal, stop sign, yield sign, or other traffic control signal located at the side 

of a road

5.  Within 20 feet of the driveway entrance to any fire station and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station 

within 75 feet of entrance

6.  At any place where an official sign prohibits parking or standing

Do Not Park a Vehicle

1. Do not park a vehicle, occupied or not, within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing.

2. Do not park a vehicle at any place where an official sign prohibits parking.

Parking, Stopping, or Standing on a Highway Outside an Urban Area

Never park or leave a vehicle to stand idling on the paved part of any highway outside of a business or residential district when you 

can park off the road. If you cannot park off the road:

1.  Leave plenty of room for others to pass

2.  Be sure your vehicle can be seen for at least 200 feet from each direction

3.  If at night, use your parking lights or leave your headlights on dim 

4.  A person may stop, stand, or park a bicycle on a sidewalk if the bicycle does not impede the normal and reasonable movement 

of pedestrian or other traffic on the sidewalk.

Disabled Parking

It is a violation for a person to park, stand, or stop a vehicle in a parking space designated as disabled parking. Illegally parking in 

a space reserved for individuals with disabilities is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $500 to $750 for the first offense. This 

fine increases with additional offenses up to $1,250 for five or more offenses. Additional offenses also include community service.

45

 Special 

Note:

Temporar

ily 

stopping t

o obey 

signs, sig

nals, etc. 

is not co

nsidered 

parking or s

tanding.

---