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Florida is famous for a couple things, one being the fact that people so often fail to use their turn signals or otherwise turn like absolute mad men. But contrary to what you might think, there is in fact only one way to make a legal turn. That’s because that one way is spelled out in the law.

Florida Turning Laws

Florida’s lane change laws are spelled out in Title 23 of the Florida Statutes, which is home to most of the laws that regulate traffic and vehicle stuff. Those laws provide strict guidelines for both right and left turns in the state, even going so far as to provide specific requirements for different kinds of roads (such as two-line streets and highways).

Right Turns

When making a right turn in Florida, you must make sure that you are in one of two locations:

• An intersection with a specific right-hand turn lane clearly marked via road signs or other markings.
• The lane furthest to the right (also known as the extreme right lane).

You are never allowed to make right turns from any lane other than the extreme right lane unless signs, markings, or law enforcement officers specifically tell you otherwise.

Left Turns

When making a left turn in Florida, you must make sure that you are in one of two locations:

• An intersection with a specific left-hand turn lane clearly marked via road signs or other markings.
• The lane furthest to the left (also known as the extreme left lane).

You are never allowed to make left turns from any lane other than the extreme left lane unless signs, markings, or law enforcement officers specifically tell you otherwise.

9 Steps for Making Proper Turns in Florida

Do not under any circumstances read this guide while making your turn. This guide is intended to be read before—not during—any driving.

Here is a quick breakdown of how to make a proper turn in Florida. This guide takes into account all relevant state laws and regulations. However, local laws may vary. Be sure to keep an eye out for any signs, markings, etc. that may change the rules of specific intersections in your area.

Step 1: Prepare for the Turn

Before you even begin to make the turn, you must first decide when and where you’re going to turn. It is both dangerous and illegal to make “last-minute turns,” so be sure to have your route planned out before turning.

Step 2: If You Have to Change Lanes, Check First (Including Your Blind Spots)

Be sure to look behind your vehicle and to both sides to see whether any other vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians are in the path between you and the lane you want to merge into. If somebody is there, wait for them to move out of the way before beginning the merge.

Step 3: Move into the Correct Lane to Start the Turn

If you are turning left, you will need the extreme left lane. If you are turning right, you will need the extreme right lane. This can be different at specific intersections when explicitly marked so.

Note that the state of Florida also requires you to use your turn signal before and during any lane changes you make, so be sure to do so.

Step 4: Activate Your Turn Signal at Least 100 Feet Before You Make the Turn

Activate your turn signal at least 100 feet prior to the start of your turn. A good rule of thumb is to activate the turn signal the moment you decide you’d like to make the turn but not if there are other intersections between you and the turn destination.

Step 5: Slow Down

Slow down to a safe turning speed. If you are on a highway and traveling at more than 50 miles per hour, consider that you will need a much longer braking distance than otherwise. A safe turning speed is typically below 15 miles per hour, unless otherwise marked by signage in the area (such as on highway on or off ramps).

Step 6: Check Around You and Your Blind Spot for Bicyclists

Even when you are in the extreme left or right lane, it is possible that there is still a bicycle lane between you and the turn destination. Be sure to check for bicyclists behind you, to your sides, in front of you, and in your blind spots.

Step 7: Yield the Right of Way to Pedestrians

Check to ensure that there are no pedestrians crossing the street between you and your turn destination. If there are, it is quite likely that the pedestrians there have the right of way. In such instances, you must yield to those pedestrians and wait for them to finish crossing entirely.

Step 8: Yield the Right of Way to Vehicles in Oncoming Traffic

Make sure to check for oncoming traffic as well before beginning your turn. The last thing you want to do is to pull out in front of another vehicle and cause a collision.

Step 9: End Your Turn in the Proper Lane

Last, but not least, make sure to end your turn in the proper lane. If you are turning right, make sure to end in the extreme right lane of the new road. If you are turning left, make sure to end in the extreme left lane of the new road.

Keep in mind, however, that certain signs and road construction conditions can change which lane you are supposed to end your turn in. Be sure to stay alert and focus on the road at all times.

Turnabout (Three-Point Turn)

The process for a three-point turn is different from the processes for left and right turns. To begin with, move to the extreme right lane, keeping an eye on other traffic. Once you have safely maneuvered into the extreme right lane, turn on your left turn signal. You should then be in the rightmost lane with your left turn signal on.

From there, you will check once again for traffic and then turn the steering wheel sharply to the left. Move forward slowly, stopping at the curb or edge of the roadway.

Check traffic again. Then shift into reverse, turn your wheels sharply to the right, and slowly back up to the opposite curb or edge of the roadway. 

Repeat this process until you have successfully completed your turnabout. At which point, you may turn your wheel once again to the left and slowly accelerate as you would under normal driving conditions in the new lane.