Driver license the official handbook

The Official Florida Driver License Handbook—rev. 051417
  
29  
.......................................................................................................................................DRIVING SAFELY
Smooth Stops
Stopping suddenly is dangerous 
and usually caused by not paying 
attention to the traffic flow or 
following others too closely. Sudden 
stops make it difficult for drivers 
behind you to avoid a rear-end 
collision.
  • Check mirrors and blind spots 
for traffic to the rear. 
  • Release accelerator to allow 
vehicle to slow. Press brake pedal 
to activate brake lights and use 
a steady pressure for a smooth 
stop.
Making Turns
 
• You must use vehicle directional 
signals or hand signals to show 
other drivers that you are about 
to turn.  
  • Turn signals are required by 
law when changing lanes or 
overtaking a vehicle. 
  • You must give a turn signal for 
at least 100 feet 
BEFORE you 
make your turn. 
  • It is against 
the law to use 
your directional 
signals to tell 
drivers behind 
you that they 
can pass.
  • Hand signals 
must be given 
from the left 
side of the 
vehicle.  
Turning a corner may seem to be a 
simple operation, but many traffic 
crashes are caused by drivers who do 
not turn correctly.
 1.  Slow down to a safe turning 
speed
.
 2.  Move into the correct lane as 
you near the intersection. The 
correct lane for a right turn is 
the right-most lane. 
 3.  You must activate your turn 
signal at least 100 feet before 
making your turn. Allow time 
for drivers around you to see 
your signal before you move.
 4.  Obey NO TURN ON RED or 
STOP HERE signs.
 5.  Yield to bicyclists when crossing 
a bike lane and to pedestrians 
who may be crossing your path.
 6.  Stay in the proper lane during 
your turn. Yield the right-of-way 
to vehicles and bicycles coming 
from the opposite direction. 
 7.  Finish your turn in the proper 
lane. Turn right into the right 
lane of the roadway entered. A 
left turn may be completed in 
any lane lawfully available—or 
safe—for the desired direction 
of travel. 
Never make “last minute” turns. 
If you reach an intersection where 
you wish to turn and are not in 
the proper lane, drive to the next 
intersection and then make the turn 
from the proper lane.

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30  
©2017 Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Intersections
Many intersections are marked 
with stop lines to show where you 
must come to a complete stop. 
Always stop behind stop lines. After 
a complete stop, you must yield 
the right-of-way to all other traffic 
already in the intersection and to 
pedestrians. Move forward only 
when the road is clear. 
  • The first vehicle to stop should 
move forward first. 
  • If two vehicles reach the 
intersection at the same time, 
the driver on the left yields to 
the driver on the right; at a two-
way stop, the turning vehicle 
yields to the vehicle going 
straight. 
Open Intersections
An open intersection is one without 
traffic control signs or signals. When 
you enter an open intersection, you 
must yield the right-of-way if:
  • a vehicle is already in the 
intersection;
  • you enter or cross a state 
highway from a secondary road;
  • you enter a paved road from an 
unpaved road; or
  • you plan to make a left turn and 
a vehicle is approaching from 
the opposite direction.
Three-Point Turn 
Sometimes you will need to turn 
around in a very small space. Use 
a three-point turn only if the road 
is too narrow for a U-turn and you 
can’t go around the block. 
To make a three-point turn: 
 1.  Move as far right as possible, 
check traffic, and signal a left 
turn. Turn the steering wheel 
sharply to the left and move 
forward slowly. Stop at the curb.
 2.  Shift to reverse, turn your 
wheels sharply to the right, 
check traffic, and back your 
vehicle to the right curb. 
 3.  Shift the vehicle into drive and 
pull forward carefully. 
Never make a three-point turn 
or a U-turn on a curve, a hill, the 
highway, or where there is a sign 
that prohibits U-turns.
Right-of-Way
Right-of-way rules tell you who goes 
first and who must wait in different 
conditions. The law says who must 
yield (give up) the right-of-way. 
Every 
driver, motorcyclist, moped rider, 
bicyclist, and pedestrian must do 
everything possible to avoid a crash.

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The Official Florida Driver License Handbook—rev. 051417
  
31  
.......................................................................................................................................DRIVING SAFELY
When two cars enter an open 
intersection at the same time, the 
driver on the left must yield to the 
driver on the right.
Roundabouts
Roundabouts are circular 
intersections with no traffic signal.  
  • Roundabouts travel in a 
one-way counter-clockwise 
direction. 
  • Drivers entering the 
roundabout must yield to traffic 
already in the roundabout. 
  • If there is no traffic in the 
roundabout, you may enter 
without yielding.
  • Do not change lanes in the 
roundabout. 
  • Do not stop in a roundabout.
  • Signal before exiting the 
roundabout. 
Multi-Lane Roundabouts: 
have 
the same rules as single-lane 
roundabouts, however you will 
need to choose the proper lane prior 
to entering the roundabout. To go 
straight or right, use the right lane. 
To go straight or left, and to make a 
U-turn, use the left lane. 
Prior to entering or exiting the 
roundabout, drivers must yield 
to pedestrians in the crosswalks. 
Bicyclists may take the lane in the 
roundabout or use the sidewalk.
Driveways
Drivers entering a road from a 
driveway, alley, or roadside must 
yield to vehicles already on the main 
road, as well as to pedestrians and 
bicyclists on the sidewalk or in bike 
lanes.
Traffic Lanes
On a two-lane highway you must 
always drive in the right lane unless 
you are overtaking and passing 
(where permitted). 
If the road has four or more lanes 
with two-way traffic, drive in the 
right lanes except when overtaking 
and passing. 
The center lane of a three-lane or 
five-lane highway is used only for 
turning left.
HOV Lanes
Some highways reserve the left 
lane for vehicles with two or more 
occupants or hybrid/low emission 
vehicles. These High Occupancy 
Vehicle (HOV) lanes are identified 
by signs/diamond pavement 
symbols, and are separated by a 
striped buffer zone. Vehicles may 
enter and exit the HOV lane only at 
designated points. 

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