The 2023 Florida Statutes (including Special Session C)

Title XXIII
MOTOR VEHICLES

Chapter 316
STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL

View Entire Chapter

F.S. 316.151

316.151 Required position and method of turning at intersections.—

(1)(a) Right turn.—The driver of a vehicle intending to turn right at an intersection onto a highway, public or private roadway, or driveway must:

1. Make both the approach for a right turn and a right turn as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

2. When overtaking and passing a bicycle proceeding in the same direction, give an appropriate signal as provided for in s. 316.156 and make the right turn only if the bicycle is at least 20 feet from the intersection, and is of such a distance that the driver of a vehicle may safely turn.

(b) Left turn.—

1. The driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at an intersection onto a highway, public or private roadway, or driveway must approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle and must make the left turn so as to leave the intersection in a lane lawfully available to traffic moving in such direction upon the roadway being entered.

2. A person riding a bicycle and intending to turn left in accordance with this section is entitled to the full use of the lane from which the turn may legally be made. The person must:

a. Whenever practicable, make the left turn in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection; or

b. Approach the turn as close as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway; after proceeding across the intersecting roadway, make the turn as close as practicable to the curb or edge of the roadway on the far side of the intersection; and, before proceeding, comply with any official traffic control device or police officer regulating traffic on the highway along which the person intends to proceed.

(2) The state, county, and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may cause official traffic control devices to be placed within or adjacent to intersections and thereby require and direct that a different course from that specified in this section be traveled by vehicles turning at an intersection. When such devices are so placed, a driver of a vehicle may not turn a vehicle at an intersection other than as directed and required by such devices.

(3) A person who violates this section commits a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.

History.—s. 1, ch. 71-135; s. 3, ch. 83-68; s. 309, ch. 95-148; s. 125, ch. 99-248; s. 4, ch. 2021-180.

F.S. 316.151 on Google Scholar

F.S. 316.151 on Casetext

Amendments to 316.151

Arrestable Offenses / Crimes under Fla. Stat. 316.151

Level: Degree
Misdemeanor/Felony: First/Second/Third

Current data shows no reason an arrest or criminal charge should have occurred directly under Florida Statute 316.151.

Civil Citations / Citable Offenses under S316.151

R or S next to points is Mandatory Revocation or Suspension

S316.151 (1)(a) Improper right turn - Points on Drivers License: 3

S316.151 (1)(b) Improper left turn - Points on Drivers License: 3

S316.151 (1)(c ) Improper left turn by bicycle - Points on Drivers License: 0

S316.151 (1)(c ) Improper left turn by bicycle (if age 14 and under) - Points on Drivers License: 0

S316.151 (2) Fail turn as directed - Points on Drivers License: 3

Annotations, Discussions, Cases:

Cases from cite.case.law:

UNITED STATES v. W. NICHOLSON,, 721 F.3d 1236 (10th Cir. 2013)

. . . . § 316.151(b); Tex. Transp. Code Ann. § 545.101(b)(2). But see, e.g., Colo.Rev.Stat. . . .

STATE v. Y. Q. R., 50 So. 3d 751 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2010)

. . . which Y.Q.R. was riding after watching the car make an improper left turn, as defined under section 316.151 . . . Bailey simply stopped the driver of this car for an improper left turn, an offense defined under section 316.151 . . . See § 316.151(3); see also State v. Allen, 978 So.2d 254, 255 (Fla. 2d DCA 2008). . . . Section 316.151(l)(b) requires a driver performing a left turn to make the turn from “the extreme left-hand . . . We reject Y.Q.R.’s argument that, under the last sentence of section 316.151(l)(b), a proper left turn . . .

KLARIDES, v. V. MAHER,, 852 So. 2d 337 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2003)

. . . See § 316.151(l)(b), Fla. Stat. (1999). . . .

HATCHER, v. STATE, 834 So. 2d 314 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 2003)

. . . The vehicle in which Hatcher was riding was stopped for violations of sections 316.151(1) and 316.614 . . .

CAHILL, v. CITY OF DAYTONA BEACH,, 577 So. 2d 715 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1991)

. . . Section 316.122 (failing to yield the right-of-way on a lefthand turn) and section 316.151(2) (making . . .

FONTE v. DICKINSON,, 45 Fla. Supp. 2d 122 (Fla. Cir. Ct. 1990)

. . . In instructing the jury, this court read the instruction premised upon Florida Statutes Section 316.151 . . . Based on the evidence in this case, Section 316.151 was the appropriate statute governing the accident . . .

SALAS, v. PALM BEACH COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS,, 484 So. 2d 1302 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1986)

. . . In support, the County cites her 'alleged violations of Sections 316.122 and 316.151, Florida Statutes . . .

STATE v. LEE, STATE v. G. JULIO,, 356 So. 2d 276 (Fla. 1978)

. . . .-134, 316.138, 316.139, 316.151, 316.152, 316.-153, 316.154, 316.155, 316.157, 316.158, 316.-159, 316.162 . . .