Vehicle Code § 22100 VC – Rules for Turning in California

Vehicle Code 22100 directs how and when right-hand and left-hand turns get made on California roadways. The full language of the code section states that:

22100. Except as provided in Section 22100.5 or 22101, the driver of any vehicle intending to turn upon a highway shall do so as follows:

(a) Right Turns. Both the approach for a right-hand turn and a right-hand turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except:

     (1) Upon a highway having three marked lanes for traffic moving in one direction that terminates at an intersecting highway accommodating traffic in both directions, the driver of a vehicle in the middle lane may turn right into any lane lawfully available to traffic moving in that direction upon the roadway being entered.

     (2) If a right-hand turn is made from a one-way highway at an intersection, a driver shall approach the turn as provided in this subdivision and shall complete the turn in any lane lawfully available to traffic moving in that direction upon the roadway being entered.

     (3) Upon a highway having an additional lane or lanes marked for a right turn by appropriate signs or markings, the driver of a vehicle may turn right from any lane designated and marked for that turning movement.

(b) Left Turns. The approach for a left turn shall be made as close as practicable to the left-hand edge of the extreme left-hand lane or portion of the roadway lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of the vehicle and, when turning at an intersection, the left turn shall not be made before entering the intersection. After entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection in a lane lawfully available to traffic moving in that direction upon the roadway being entered, except that upon a highway having three marked lanes for traffic moving in one direction that terminates at an intersecting highway accommodating traffic in both directions, the driver of a vehicle in the middle lane may turn left into any lane lawfully available to traffic moving in that direction upon the roadway being entered.

There are six important points to know about this code section.

• In general, VC 22100 requires drivers turning right to do so as close as possible to the right-hand curb, or the right edge of the road.
• Similarly, under Vehicle Code 22100, drivers turning left must do so as close as possible to the left-hand curb, or left edge of the road.
• A driver that makes an improper turn must pay a fine of $238.00.
• A motorist that violates VC 22100 also receives one point on his DMV driving record. A driver risks getting a negligent operator license suspension if he receives 4 points in 12 months, 6 points in 24 months, or 8 points in 36 months.
• Drivers can challenge a ticket for an improper turn by raising a legal defense. It’s best, though, for drivers to consult with an experienced California defense attorney before doing so.
• Motorists cannot ignore tickets for violating Vehicle Code 22100. This results in the violation of a new law, failure to appear, pursuant to California Vehicle Code 40508. This violation may be charged as a misdemeanor.

Our California auto accident attorneys will explain the following in this article:

• 1. Vehicle Code 22100 – When and how drivers must turn in California
  • 1.1 Vehicle Code 22100 (a) and proper right-hand turns in California
  • 1.2 Vehicle Code 22100 (b) and proper left-hand turns in California
• 2. The penalties for an improper turn
  • 2.1 Fine
  • 2.2 Points on the motorist’s California State driving record
• 3. Legal defenses if a driver violates Vehicle Code 22100 VC
  • 3.1 Common defenses if accused of making an improper turn
  • 3.2 Contact an attorney for help
• 4. Violations of Vehicle Code 22100 VC and traffic school
• 5. Violations of VC 22100 and criminal charges
• 6. Ignoring a ticket for violating VC 22100
  • 6.1 Violation of Vehicle Code 40508 VC
  • 6.2 Penalties for violating VC 40508
• 7. Improper turns and how they affect a personal injury lawsuit
• 8. Laws related to Vehicle Code 22100 VC
  • 8.1 Illegal U-turns at intersections – Vehicle Code 22100.5;
  • 8.2 U-turns in business and residential districts – Vehicle Code 22102-22103; and,
  • 8.3 Signals before turning or changing lanes – Vehicle Code 22108.

1. Vehicle Code 22100 VC – When and how drivers must turn in California

Vehicle Code 22100 regulates how drivers must make right and left turns upon California roadways. VC 22100 (a) pertains to right-hand turns and VC 22100 (b) controls left-hand turns.

1.1 Vehicle Code 22100 (a) and proper right-hand turns in California

Under Vehicle Code 22100 (a):

Both the approach for a right-hand turn and a right-hand turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway…¹

There are, however, three exceptions to this general rule. These are:

1. If a driver is traveling on a three-lane road that ends at a two-way road, he may turn right from the middle lane into any lane lawfully available.²
2. If a driver is turning right from a one-way road, he must:
3. approach the turn according to the general rule above; and,
4. shall complete the turn in any lane lawfully available.³
5. If a driver is traveling on a road with lanes marked for a right turn, he may turn right from any marked turn lane.⁴

1.2 Vehicle Code 22100 (b) and proper left-hand turns in California

Under Vehicle Code 22100 (b):

The approach for a left turn shall be made as close as practicable to the left-hand edge of the extreme left-hand lane…⁵

The code section provides three additional rules. These are:

1. A driver cannot start a left turn before entering the intersection.⁶
2. A left turn can be made into any lane lawfully available.⁷
3. If a driver is traveling on a three-lane road that ends at a two-way road, he may turn left from the middle lane into any lane lawfully available.⁸

2. The penalties for an improper turn

A driver receives two penalties for violating Vehicle Code 22100 VC. These are:

1. A fine; and,
2. Points on his California State driving record.

2.1 Fine

A driver who makes an improper right or left turn receives a ticket and must pay a corresponding fine.

The fine for violating VC 22100 is $238.00.⁹

2.2 Points on the motorist’s California State driving record

Drivers who violate Vehicle Code 22100 will also receive one point on their DMV driving record.¹⁰ This is not a good thing. Points are ultimately reported to a driver’s insurance carrier. The result is that the driver’s insurance rates increase for several years.

A further problem occurs when a driver receives multiple points on his driving record in a certain period of time. If a driver in California receives 4 points in 12 months, 6 points in 24 months, or 8 points in 36 months, the DMV can either suspend or revoke his driving privileges.

Please note that either action will require a California DMV hearing.

3. Legal defenses if a driver violates Vehicle Code 22100 VC

A driver who receives a ticket for an improper turn can try to challenge the ticket by raising a legal defense. If this is done, though, it’s best for the driver to contact an experienced California defense attorney for help.

3.1 Common defenses if accused of making an improper turn

There are five common defenses if accused of a VC 22100 violation. These are:

1. The driver made a right or left turn while as close as practicable to the right or left curb, given all of the applicable circumstances.
2. The driver made a turn from a middle lane, but he was on a three-lane road and made the turn into a lane lawfully available.
3. An emergency made it impossible to follow VC 22100.
4. The citing officer made a mistake.
5. An improper turn was required for safety reasons.¹¹

Regardless of the specific defense, a driver must support it with credible evidence. The best evidence to use is:

• Witness statements;
• Photographs; and/or,
• Surveillance video.

3.2 Contact an attorney for help

Drivers can represent themselves when trying to beat a ticket for an improper turn. But, it’s best for motorists to contact an experienced California traffic ticket attorney for assistance.

Hiring a lawyer for help is important for four main reasons. These include:

1. Prosecutors often give better deals to drivers with lawyers.
2. Defense attorneys understand how to get charges reduced and dismissed.
3. A driver represented by an attorney does not have to go to court. The driver’s attorney can go on his behalf.
4. Defense attorneys know the best defense to raise on a client’s behalf.

4. Violations of Vehicle Code 22100 VC and traffic school

Drivers who get ticketed for an improper turn do not have to go to traffic school. But they can choose to do so.

Note that if a driver goes to traffic school, he must still pay his fine of $238.00.¹² However, the driver generally does not receive any points on his DMV driving record.¹³

In general, a driver in California can volunteer for traffic school if:

1. The driver has a valid driver’s license;
2. The offense occurred while the driver was driving a noncommercial vehicle; and,
3. The ticket is for an infraction that is a moving violation.

5. Violations of VC 22100 and criminal charges

Failing to obey Vehicle Code 22100 does not result in criminal charges. This is because it’s not a crime in California if a driver does not make a proper right-hand or left-hand turn.

VC 22100 violations are infractions under California law. As such, drivers guilty of making improper turns do not have to face jail time or other criminal penalties.

6. Ignoring a ticket for violating VC 22100

Motorists cannot ignore a ticket for making an improper turn. Two things happen if this occurs. These are:

1. The driver violates California Vehicle Code 40508 VC, for the failure to appear in court on a traffic citation; and,
2. The driver receives penalties for violating VC 40508.

6.1 Violation of Vehicle Code 40508 VC

If a driver gets a ticket in California, he must sign a written promise to appear in court. He promises to appear at a certain time and place (this is unless he is represented by a defense attorney – see 3.2 above).

If the driver willfully fails to appear, he violates Vehicle Code 40508 VC.¹⁴ The driver willfully fails to appear when he is willingly a no-show. It’s not even a defense if the driver did not intend to break the law.¹⁵

It also does not matter whether the offending driver is guilty or innocent of the underlying traffic ticket.¹⁶ He violates Vehicle Code 40508 just by breaking a promise to:

• Appear in court,
• Appear to pay bail,
• Pay bail in installments,
• Pay a fine within the time authorized, or
• Comply with any condition of the court.¹⁷

6.2 Penalties for violating VC 40508

A violation of Vehicle Code 40508 VC is a misdemeanor. The penalties include:

• Up to six months in county jail, and/or
• A fine of up to $1,000.¹⁸

7. Improper turns and how they affect a personal injury lawsuit

A driver that violates Vehicle Code 22100 may cause an accident with another motorist, or even a pedestrian. If the motorist/pedestrian is injured and later files a personal injury lawsuit against the driver, the driver may be found “negligent.”

California law defines “negligence” as the failure to use reasonable care to prevent harm to oneself or to others. When it comes to auto accidents, negligent drivers are considered at fault for the accident and they may have to pay for any damages caused.

Proving negligence in a personal injury case can sometimes be difficult. But, in California, a driver is considered “negligent per se” if he violates a statute.

Negligence “per se” is a type of legal theory. It presumes a driver is negligent if he violates a statute or ordinance.

This means a driver would be negligent per se for making an improper turn because that act is in violation of VC 22100.

Please note, however, that even if a driver is negligent per se, he may still be able to recover for any damages he incurs. This is because of California’s comparative fault laws.

8. Laws related to Vehicle Code 22100 VC

There are several laws related to VC 22100. These include:

1. Illegal U-turns at intersections – Vehicle Code 22100.5;
2. U-turns in business and residential districts – Vehicle Code 22102-22103; and,
3. Signals before turning or changing lanes – Vehicle Code 22108.

8.1 Illegal U-turns at intersections – Vehicle Code 22100.5

Per VC 22100.5, drivers make an illegal U-turn in California when they make one at an intersection controlled by a traffic signal where a sign prohibits it.

California Vehicle Code 22100.5 states:

No driver shall make a U-turn at an intersection controlled by official traffic signals except as provided in Section 21451.¹⁹

According to Vehicle Code 21451 (a), a driver approaching a green light can make a U-turn unless a sign prohibits it.²⁰ If a U-turn is allowed, the motorist must yield the right-of-way to any traffic or pedestrians within the intersection or crosswalk.²¹

Further, Vehicle Code 21451 (b) states that drivers approaching a green arrow signal can make a U-turn unless a sign prohibits it.²² Again, if a U-turn is allowed, the motorist must yield the right-of-way to any traffic or pedestrians within the intersection or crosswalk.²³

VC 22100.5 goes on to state that when U-turns are permissible, drivers must make them from the far left-hand lane.

Drivers that violate California Vehicle Code Section 22100.5 VC will receive:

1. A fine of $234; and,
2. One point assessed on the driver’s DMV driving record.

8.2 U-turns in business and residential districts – Vehicle Code 22102-22103

California Vehicle Codes 22102 and 22103 pertain to making U-turns in California business and residential districts.

VC 22102 makes it unlawful for a driver to make a U-turn in a business district, unless the driver makes the turn at an intersection or a clear opening in the street.²⁴

Under VC 22103, it’s unlawful for drivers in a residence district to make a U-turn when another vehicle is approaching from either direction within 200 feet.²⁵ The only exception is when a driver is at an intersection controlled by an official traffic device.²⁶

The penalties for violating these California U-turn laws are the same for violations of VC 22100.5 – a fine of $234 and one point on the driver’s DMV driving record.

8.3 Signals before turning or changing lanes – Vehicle Code 22108

Pursuant to California Vehicle Code 22108 VC, drivers must signal before turning or changing lanes.

Further, VC 22108 requires all drivers to signal at least 100 feet prior to making a turn or changing lanes.²⁷

The section states:

Any signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given continuously during the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.²⁸

The purpose of a signal is to give a warning to the rear driver.²⁹

Please note that once a driver signals, he does not have the absolute right of way within the road or intersection. California courts have stated otherwise and have imposed additional duties upon the signaling driver. These include a duty to:

• Use reasonable care in the operation of a vehicle.³⁰
• Make proper observations.³¹
• Exercise care in completing a turn to avoid collisions.³²

A driver receives two penalties for violating Vehicle Code 22108 VC. These are:

1. A fine of $238.00; and,
2. One point assessed on the DMV driving record.

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