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How To Do A Left Turn
On your driving test you will have to perform left
turns, the examiner will be looking for you to use
the M-S-P-S-L routine in good time. Centre
Mirror to see what is behind you. If you have a car
following
close behind you this can affect how you apply the brake; you
may need to slow down at a reduced
rate if you have a car right behind you. Left
Mirror to check what is to the left of the car
before moving
the car to the left. It is important you check that there is
nothing to the left side such as cyclists.
Signal to
the left to tell other road users what you are about to do.
Position the car to turn left, if the
junction that you are turning into is clear then your road
position should not change, if you see parked
cars on the left side of the road you are turning into, then
it may be necessary to change your road
position to go around the cars safely. Make sure that
your Speed is correct before turning left,
too fast and you will not be able to control your turn and
may go wide and onto the wrong side of the
road, too slow and you may force cars behind you to slow down
abruptly. Look before you turn left, you
should look into the road you are turning into to make sure
that there are no obstructions such as
parked cars as mentioned above, you should also be looking on
either side of the pavement to make
sure that there are no pedestrians about to step out into the
junction. If a pedestrian does step out onto
the road they should be given priority.
The above is a basic outline on how to turn left;
your instructor will go through this with you in more detail.
Thanks to Sarah Cassidy for her help with this page!

Video clips taken from The Visual Guide To Passing Your Practical Driving Test
2004.
The updated 2008-09 version, which gives a clearer, more detailed view on how
to perform all driving test parking manoeuvres including the 3 point turn or
turn in the road manoeuvres can now be bought from us for just
£3.99 inc all P&P -
driving test dvd.