Making left turns at an intersection?

So I went to take my driver's test a couple weeks ago and i failed because i was making a left hand turn, got into the turning lane, and went out into the intersection to wait for the cars on the opposite side, then turn when the coast was clear. she said i could not go out into the intersection. today, i took my drivers test, and i was doing the same thing, (with a different girl) and i didn't go out into the intersection, i waited behind the white line for the coast to be clear and she took off points from me because i DIDN'T go out into the intersection. i was so mad! those two girls told me two different things. and i also did worse the 2nd time than i did the first time, even though i did everything the same both times.
Additional Details
The problem with waiting in the middle of the intersection for the coast to be clear (to turn), is i was waiting and the light was almost turning red! it turned yellow and i was finally able to turn (because cars kept coming)

logicalgal

When making a left turn at a traffic light, one vehicle is allowed past the crosswalk line, with wheels straight. Watch for oncoming vehicles, pedestrians in the crosswalk area to your left, and watch the color of the light. If your light turns amber, you should look for oncoming cars, pedestrians and promptly clear the intersection as soon as you can.
Having not been there, its difficult to say what actually happened. If you are sitting in the intersection on a red light, you would fail your test.
The time to discuss this would be immediately following your test.
There may also have been other errors which added to your failing score.
Perhaps another brushup lesson would clarify a few things for you?
You'll eventually pass.........just keep learning from your errors and return for another test.
Good luck.

David L

Okay, I guess I am kind of an old school driver. When the light turns green and I want to turn left, I go into the intersection a little, then turn when it is clear. It drives me crazy when people just sit through a green light then have to wait through another red light because they don't enter the intersection. Or, they will try to turn left after the light has turned red, and cause all kinds of problems.
I would suggest that you go back to your drives manual and find the section that deals with left turns. If there isn't one, then the next time you take your test, discuss this with your examiner before driving. Good luck.

Weekend Repairman

Do not enter the intersection until it is safe to complete the turning movement.

Just because you were first in you line, doesn't mean YOU don't have to yield to all traffic with the right of way. And if the light cycles while your sitting out in the intersection at no man's land and you get hit, it's YOUR fault.

Edg1

You are supposed to pull out into the intersection and be ready to turn as soon as it's clear.The one that told you you shouldn't needs to be informed of this.

Texas Underdog

You didn't say what state you are in. Maybe different rules in different states.

I do not go into the intersection while waiting.
I will wait at the "Stop line" and (if the light hasn't turned yellow yet) start rolling into the intersection when I see a gap in oncoming traffic about to go through the intersection. (time it so I don't have to stop once I start rolling)

This way, I'm not caught in the intersection when the light turns red, AND I have a little momentum as I start my turn.
That way I can get through it a little faster, and should my vehicle die for some reason, I kick it into neutral and have enough momentum to roll on through the intersection and not block traffic while trying to restart.

You should definitely ask whatever instructor/tester you get next time (before you begin the test) about which way he/she wants you to do it, and explain about the previous trouble.
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*Tim L*

that little trick is illegial isn;t it or not i think so

Stephan C

The proper thing to do is to wait behind the white line until it is clear and then go. Pulling out into an intersection and waiting is a bad idea.

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