Which Lane Is The Proper Lane To Turn Into ?

There is a discrepancy between my CDL School Instructor and the CDL Examiner. I wanted to get the opinion from the veteran truckers here. (My instructor is a 28 year trucking veteran) btw.

When making a left hand turn from a signaled single left turn lane on a 4 lane divided highway (2 lanes each direction). Which lane is the proper lane to turn into: 1. The inside lane? 2. The outside lane? Hopefully the description is clear. Thanks

My CDL Instructor says the outside lane would be the proper lane. The CDL Examiner says the inside lane is the proper lane and he will deduct points for turning into the outside land.

If i were you i'd go with the one where you don't get any points deducted.

Go with the examiner and let them fight it out between them. Kind of like a police officer telling you to stop while the light is green. Both can give instructions, but one can take your license.

😆

According to most, if not all, state training manuals you turn into the first available lane. I would do that during the test although its strange your instructor is telling you something thats different than what the examiner is grading you on. That's not to say you won't utilize the outside lane to complete the turn but for the test you want to end up in that left most lane in your example.

With that being said, this is one of the things that is different than real world driving. When I'm facing a turn like that I always take the right most lane. My reasoning is that it gives me the most room to safely complete my turn. Technically I'm breaking a traffic law in most states but I don't see the point in using the right lane to complete the turn while bringing it back to the left lane just to move back right after I've just gotten my entire truck back into the left lane. It seems like it adds unnecessary lane changes that increases the risk of an accident as other motorists become confused. In my opinion, its highly unlikely you'd ever be cited unless maybe in an accident as nearly everybody in all vehicle types does it this way.

According to my trainer this morning: Turn left into the inside lane, and once your tractor and trailer are straight, signal and move to the right lane when you can.

According to most, if not all, state training manuals you turn into the first available lane. I would do that during the test although its strange your instructor is telling you something thats different than what the examiner is grading you on. That's not to say you won't utilize the outside lane to complete the turn but for the test you want to end up in that left most lane in your example.

With that being said, this is one of the things that is different than real world driving. When I'm facing a turn like that I always take the right most lane. My reasoning is that it gives me the most room to safely complete my turn. Technically I'm breaking a traffic law in most states but I don't see the point in using the right lane to complete the turn while bringing it back to the left lane just to move back right after I've just gotten my entire truck back into the left lane. It seems like it adds unnecessary lane changes that increases the risk of an accident as other motorists become confused. In my opinion, its highly unlikely you'd ever be cited unless maybe in an accident as nearly everybody in all vehicle types does it this way.

To be clear, my instructor is telling me to follow what the examiner is saying. Like you said, sometimes in the real world by the book is not always going to be the best application.. Just a fyi.. this examiner has never driven a truck, apparently he is a book trained examiner, not that it necessarily matters.

Thank you for the clear and concise reply !!

The reason you turn into the inside lane is someone could make a right on red from the other side of the intersection.

Don't forget what matters the most for you right now is getting your cdl. And doing that means driving how the DMV wants you to do.

On your driving exam if you don't turn into the lane they are expecting you to turn into that could result in a fail. For now do it the way the instructor teaches you and when you get on the road it will be your call how you see it best.

Don't forget what matters the most for you right now is getting your cdl. And doing that means driving how the DMV wants you to do.

On your driving exam if you don't turn into the lane they are expecting you to turn into that could result in a fail. For now do it the way the instructor teaches you and when you get on the road it will be your call how you see it best.

True, indeed!!

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