# How to make an unprotected left turn in California? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 4, 2011, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-an-unprotected-left-turn-in-california/591409 "2011-08-04T02:12:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jakextc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jakextc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jakextc)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-an-unprotected-left-turn-in-california/591409/1 "2011-08-04T02:12:20Z")
I’m confused on how to make an unprotected left turn while driving in CA. Do you have to stop before entering the intersection regardless if the light is green? I’ve seen various answers. Is it legal to be in the middle of the intersection if you entered when it was green, but it turned red because oncoming traffic kept you from turning? If it’s only permitted to enter the intersection when it is clear, what if there is too much traffic and you can never turn? (Assume you are taking a driving test) I’ve also seen different answers. Some people say you should only enter when it’s clear, while others have said you should enter so at least 1 can make a left turn every cycle of the green light. ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-an-unprotected-left-turn-in-california/591409/2 "2011-08-04T02:55:00Z")
[http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/traff\_lgts\_sgns.htm](http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/traff_lgts_sgns.htm) > [@](#): > > Do not enter the intersection if you cannot get completely across before the light turns red. If you block the intersection, you can be cited. There’s nothing illegal about going into the intersection and stopping while the light is green when making an unprotected left turn as long as you’re not blocking traffic and as long as you’re able to leave the intersection before the light turns red. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-an-unprotected-left-turn-in-california/591409/3 "2011-08-04T03:27:05Z")
It can be vague (and probably not unique to CA). I have gotten pulled over because I entered the intersection when it was green, and finally made my turn when it was long red. This is because the oncoming traffic were jerks. The officer checked that I didn’t have any warrants and left with with a lame “you should’ve backed up when it turned red” excuse (I don’t think I could’ve anyway). ---
**Author:** ![jakextc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jakextc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jakextc)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-an-unprotected-left-turn-in-california/591409/4 "2011-08-04T04:50:32Z")
Here’s another thread on it lol > **[PLEASE learn how to make a left turn, please?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=604475)** > > I may be speaking only to Californians, because the rules might differ in other locations. But in California, the correct way to make a left turn is to pull into the intersection immediately and wait. You move your car almost, but not quite to the... 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-an-unprotected-left-turn-in-california/591409/5 "2011-08-04T05:01:57Z")
> [@Punoqllads](#): > > There’s nothing illegal about going into the intersection and stopping while the light is green when making an unprotected left turn as long as you’re not blocking traffic and as long as you’re able to leave the intersection before the light turns red. That doesn’t make sense. If he has to stop while the light is green, how could he be _certain_ that he can clear the intersection before it’s red? > [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > “you should’ve backed up when it turned red” Are you serious? Backing out of an intersection? Does anyone here think there’s any way this can be good advice or should be taken seriously, what_ever_ California’s crazy traffic laws and customs may be? ---
**Author:** ![IAmNotSpartacus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@IAmNotSpartacus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IAmNotSpartacus)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-an-unprotected-left-turn-in-california/591409/6 "2011-08-04T05:03:49Z")
> [@Punoqllads](#): > > [http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/traff\_lgts\_sgns.htm](http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/traff_lgts_sgns.htm) > > There’s nothing illegal about going into the intersection and stopping while the light is green when making an unprotected left turn as long as you’re not blocking traffic and as long as you’re able to leave the intersection before the light turns red. The section you’ve quoted is poorly written by the DMV. First of all, you cannot **enter** the intersection when the light is red. You are not required to be **out** of the intersection when the light turns red so long as you are still moving. I.e. making a left hand turn after oncoming traffic has cleared. If there is a section in the vehicle code I’m not aware of it and would love to see it. California Vehicle Code section 21450-21468 deals with traffic control devices, nowhere does it state that one is required to be out of the intersection when the light turns red. The code states you may not enter the intersection when the light turns red. [http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/tocd11c2a3.htm](http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/tocd11c2a3.htm) ---
**Author:** ![FoundWaldo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dfb087/32.png) [@FoundWaldo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoundWaldo)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-an-unprotected-left-turn-in-california/591409/7 "2011-08-04T05:29:05Z")
The real answer about how to make an unprotected left in CA is “go really effing fast, and pray.” Or take three rights. I hate left turns. ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-an-unprotected-left-turn-in-california/591409/8 "2011-08-04T05:35:31Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > Are you serious? Backing out of an intersection? Does anyone here think there’s any way this can be good advice or should be taken seriously, what_ever_ California’s crazy traffic laws and customs may be? Yep. At the time, I thought it prudent to resist saying “are you fucking kidding me?” and instead keep my trap shut while he ran my plates. > [@FoundWaldo](#): > > Or take three rights. Ah, the “San Francisco left turn.” So named for parts of downtown like Market having blocks and blocks of “No Left Turn” signs. ---
**Author:** ![Punoqllads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/d2c977/32.png) [@Punoqllads](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Punoqllads)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2011, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-make-an-unprotected-left-turn-in-california/591409/9 "2011-08-04T06:16:23Z")
> [@spark240](#): > > That doesn’t make sense. If he has to stop while the light is green, how could he be _certain_ that he can clear the intersection before it’s red? Well, if there isn’t enough room for his car to fit into the other side due to traffic back-ups, he’s not allowed to enter the intersection. [VC 22526](http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d11/vc22526.htm): > [@](#): > > Notwithstanding any official traffic control signal indication to proceed, a driver of a vehicle shall not enter an intersection or marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or marked crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle driven without obstructing the through passage of vehicles from either side.