Turns — Oregon Permit Test

Rules for turning apply at all locations, such as driveways and alleys, not just at intersections.

Drivers relax the rules the moment there is no intersection, and a driveway crossing a sidewalk is where a pedestrian is least expected.

Rules for turning apply at all locations, such as driveways and alleys, not just at intersections.

You may turn across a bicycle lane, but you must not move into a bicycle lane in preparation for a turn, and you must yield to people riding bicycles in a bicycle lane or on a sidewalk.

Merging into the bike lane early is the maneuver that traps a cyclist between your vehicle and the curb.

You may turn across a bicycle lane, but do not move into a bicycle lane in preparation for a turn.

For a right turn, get as near as you can to the right curb or edge of the road, and just before entering the intersection look left, front, right and left again for traffic.

Hugging the curb closes the gap a cyclist would otherwise ride into on your right, which is where right-turn collisions happen.

Right Turns: Get as near as you can to the right curb or edge of the road.

Oregon law requires a driver turning left to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic until it is safe to turn, approaching in the lane just to the right of the center line on a two-way road.

The turn crosses a lane where traffic has no reason to slow, so the entire judgment about the gap is yours.

Oregon law requires a driver to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic until it is safe to turn.

It is illegal to make a left turn onto a two-way road against a red light, and where a left turn lane is provided you must turn from that lane.

The left on red works only onto a one-way road going your way; onto a two-way road it puts you across traffic with a green.

It is illegal to execute a left turn onto a two-way road against a red light. If a left turn lane is provided, you must turn from that lane.

Turning left from a one-way road onto another one-way road, you approach in the lane nearest the left curb and turn into the nearest left lane, and you may make this turn against a red light after stopping and yielding to traffic and pedestrians.

Both roads run one way, so the turn never crosses opposing traffic — which is the only reason a left on red is allowed at all.

You may make this turn against a red light after stopping and yielding to traffic and pedestrians.

Turning left from a one-way road onto a two-way road, you approach in the lane nearest the left curb and turn into the lane just to the right of the center line, and you cannot make this turn against a red light.

The road you are entering carries traffic both ways, so the turn crosses a lane that may have a green.

Left Turn: One-Way Road to Two-Way Road: Approach the turn in the traffic lane nearest the left curb. Turn into the lane just to the right of the center line. You cannot make this turn against a red light.

The general rule for turning is to turn from the nearest lane in the direction you are traveling into the nearest lane in the direction you want to go, avoiding swinging wide or changing lanes while turning.

Swinging wide takes you through the lane beside you, where a driver who correctly expected you to stay in your own has nowhere to go.

The general rule for turning is to turn from the nearest lane in the direction you are traveling to the nearest lane in the direction you want to go. Avoid swinging wide or changing lanes while turning.

Where do Oregon's rules for turning apply?

At all locations. Drivers relax the rules the moment there is no intersection, and a driveway crossing a sidewalk is where a pedestrian is least expected. 2026-2027 Oregon Driver Manual, p.39: “Rules for turning apply at all locations, such as driveways and alleys, not just at intersections.”