N.C. Gen. Stat. » Chapter 20
NC General Statutes

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-153 (2026)

Turning at intersections

✓ current as of July 2026
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(a) Right Turns. - Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

(b) Left Turns. - The driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at any intersection shall approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of that vehicle, and, after entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection in a lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction upon the roadway being entered.

(c) Local authorities and the Department of Transportation, in their respective jurisdictions, may modify the foregoing method of turning at intersections by clearly indicating by buttons, markers, or other direction signs within an intersection the course to be followed by vehicles turning thereat, and it shall be unlawful for any driver to fail to turn in a manner as so directed. (1937, c. 407, s. 115; 1955, c. 913, s. 5; 1973, c. 1330, s. 18; 1977, c. 464, s. 34; 1997-405, s. 1.)

 

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 22 cases, 1947–2018 · leading case: State v. Osterhoudt, 731 S.E.2d 454 (N.C. Ct. App. 2012).
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State v. Osterhoudt, 731 S.E.2d 454 (N.C. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 6× “Pursuant to N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-153 (a) (2011), “a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.”
White v. Lacey, 96 S.E.2d 1 (N.C. 1957). · cites it 4× “” These allegations and the evidence in support thereof called for consideration of G.S. 20-153 (a) and G.S. 20-154. It is well to bear in mind that the defendant had the burden of proof on the contributory negligence issue.”
Pearsall v. Duke Power Co., 129 S.E.2d 217 (N.C. 1963). · cites it 4× “If Elkins made the turn as alleged, was he negligent? G.S. 20-153 (a) and (b) say the operator of a motor vehicle “when intending to turn to the left shall approach such intersection in the lane for the traffic to the right of and nearest to the center of the highway, and in…”
Savage Towing Inc. v. Town of Cary, 814 S.E.2d 869 (N.C. Ct. App. 2018). “IV, § 20-153(a) (2017). Towing companies must report to the Cary Police Department the make, color, license tag number, location the vehicle was towed from, and the location where the vehicle will be held within 15 minutes of towing the vehicle.”
Ervin v. Cannon Mills Co., 64 S.E.2d 431 (N.C. 1951). · cites it 2× “It is also provided by statute that at an intersection the driver of a vehicle "intending to turn to the left shall approach such intersection in the lane for the traffic to the right of and nearest to the center of the highway, and in turning shall pass beyond the center of the…”
State v. Jones, 813 S.E.2d 668 (N.C. Ct. App. 2018). · cites it 2× “; and N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-153 ...."); State v.”
Hudson v. Petroleum Transit Co., 108 S.E.2d 900 (N.C. 1959). “G.S. 20-153 (a). Simmons v. Rogers, 247 N.”
Simmons v. Rogers, 100 S.E.2d 849 (N.C. 1957). · cites it 4× “20-154, that a prescribed hand signal be given of intention to make a left turn in traffic, as constituting in all cases full compliance with the mandate also expressed in this statute that before turning from a direct line the driver shall first see that such movement can be…”
Gay v. Walter, 283 S.E.2d 797 (N.C. Ct. App. 1981). “The court in Ferris simply stated that though the defendant truck driver “cut the corner” *364 slightly, and indeed violated G.S. 20-153, this was not the proximate cause of the collision.”
Powell v. Cross, 140 S.E.2d 393 (N.C. 1965). “20-141), failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to maintain reasonable control, and followed too closely (G.S. 20-153). Plaintiff called Mrs. Harrell and caused her to give testimony.”
Ward v. . Bowles, 45 S.E.2d 354 (N.C. 1947). “Instead he “cut the corner” in violation of G. S. 20-153 (a) without giving any signal or warning of his approach.”
Gay v. Walter, 294 S.E.2d 769 (N.C. Ct. App. 1982). · cites it 2× “G.S. § 20-153. Turning at intersections. —(a) Right Turns.”
Show all 22 citing cases →
— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-153(a) — 5 cases
Savage Towing Inc. v. Town of Cary, 814 S.E.2d 869 (N.C. Ct. App. 2018). “IV, § 20-153(a) (2017). Towing companies must report to the Cary Police Department the make, color, license tag number, location the vehicle was towed from, and the location where the vehicle will be held within 15 minutes of towing the vehicle.”
White v. Lacey, 96 S.E.2d 1 (N.C. 1957). “” These allegations and the evidence in support thereof called for consideration of G.S. 20-153 (a) and G.S. 20-154. It is well to bear in mind that the defendant had the burden of proof on the contributory negligence issue.”
Pearsall v. Duke Power Co., 129 S.E.2d 217 (N.C. 1963). “If Elkins made the turn as alleged, was he negligent? G.S. 20-153 (a) and (b) say the operator of a motor vehicle “when intending to turn to the left shall approach such intersection in the lane for the traffic to the right of and nearest to the center of the highway, and in…”
Wands v. Cauble, 154 S.E.2d 425 (N.C. 1967).
Hardy Ex Rel. Adams v. Tesh, 167 S.E.2d 848 (N.C. Ct. App. 1969).
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