Tennessee Code Annotated
Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-140 (2026)
Required position and method of turning at intersections
✓ current as of May 2026
The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows:
- (1)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;
- (2)Left Turns on Two-way Roadways. At any intersection where traffic is permitted to move in both directions on each roadway entering the intersection, an approach for a left turn shall be made in that portion of the right half of the roadway nearest the center line thereof and by passing to the right of the center line where it enters the intersection, and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection to the right of the center line of the roadway being entered. Whenever practicable, the left turn shall be made in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection;
- (3)Left Turns on Other Than Two-way Roadways. At any intersection where traffic is restricted to one (1) direction on one (1) or more of the roadways, the driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at any such intersection shall approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of the driver's vehicle, and after entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection, as nearly as practicable, in the left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in that direction upon the roadway being entered;
- (4)Local Instructions. Local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may cause markers, buttons or signs to be placed within or adjacent to intersections and thereby require and direct that a different course from that specified in this section be traveled by vehicles turning at an intersection, and when markers, buttons or signs are so placed, no driver of a vehicle shall turn a vehicle at an intersection other than as directed and required by those markers, buttons or signs; and
- (5)Two-way Left Turn Lanes. Where a special lane for making left turns by drivers proceeding in opposite directions has been established:
- (A) A left turn shall not be made from any other lane unless a vehicle cannot safely enter the turn lane;
- (B) A vehicle shall not be driven in the left turn lane except when preparing for or making a left turn from or into the roadway;
- (C) A vehicle shall not use the left turn lane solely for the purpose of passing another vehicle;
- (D) A vehicle shall not enter a left turn lane more than a safe distance from the point of the intended turn;
- (E) When any vehicle enters the turn lane, no other vehicle proceeding in an opposite direction shall enter that turn lane if that entrance would prohibit the vehicle already in the lane from making the intended turn; and
- (F) When vehicles enter the turn lane proceeding in opposite directions, the first vehicle to enter the lane shall have the right-of-way.
Acts 1955, ch. 329, § 39; T.C.A., § 59-840; Acts 1990, ch. 940, § 1.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 11
cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1995–2025 · leading case: Wright v. City of Knoxville, 898 S.W.2d 177 (Tenn. 1995).
Wright v. City of Knoxville, 898 S.W.2d 177 (Tenn. 1995). “The Court also invoked Tenn.Code Ann. § 55-8-140(2), which provides as follows: LEFT TURNS ON TWO-WAY ROADWAYS.”
United States v. Herbert Marsh, 95 F.4th 464 (6th Cir. 2024). “The officers believed that Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-140 (2) required drivers turning left to enter the lane closest to the center of the road (i.”
State v. Smith, 21 S.W.3d 251 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1999). “— (a) No person shall turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway as required in § 55-8-140, or turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway, or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a…”
State v. Gonzalez, 52 S.W.3d 90 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2000). “— (a) No person shall turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway as required in § 55-8-140, or turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway, or otherwise turn *99 a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a…”
State of Tennessee v. Demarcus J. Love (Tenn. Crim. App. 2020). “2 Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-8-140 only applies to turns at intersections and its application to this case is misconstrued.”
Guthrie v. United States (E.D. Tenn. 2025). “Here, SSG Anderson failed to use the designated turning lane when initiating the U-turn to return to the field maintenance shop, in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-140 , which provides that that “[w]here a special lane for making left turns by drivers proceeding in opposite…”
State of Tennessee v. Christopher Wilson (Tenn. Crim. App. 2016). “Lieutenant Banks testified that the Defendant made a wide right turn from the right hand traffic lane on Maynard Way into the left hand northbound traffic lane of Byhalia Road in violation of Tennessee Code Annotated section 55-8-140. Lieutenant Banks conducted a traffic stop of…”
Worther Williams v. Robert Steward (Tenn. Ct. App. 1998). “However, T.C.A. § 55-8-140 contains a subsection relating specifically to the plaintiff’s alleged conduct in the two-way turn lane.”
United States v. Michael Harris (6th Cir. 2025). “At the suppression hearing, Detective Parton testified that he witnessed Harris make an immediate left turn from a designated straight-only lane, in violation of Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-140 (5)(a). That provision states: “Where a special lane for making left turns .”
State v. Christopher Karvey (Tenn. Crim. App. 2000). “See Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 55-8-140 , -142, -143.”
Timothy A. Moore v. Hugh A. Butler, Individually & as Agent & Servant of Anthony Wommack d/b/a Wommack Trucking, & Anthony Wommack d/b/a Wommack Trucking, & McCoy's Heating & Air, Inc. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2011). “The Defendants asserted that the negligence of McCoy’s proximately caused or contributed to the accident, and violated the Rules of the Road as codified in Tennessee Code Annotated §§ 55-8-140 (required position and method for turning at intersections); 55-8-142 (turning…”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-140(2) — 1 case
Wright v. City of Knoxville, 898 S.W.2d 177 (Tenn. 1995). “The Court also invoked Tenn.Code Ann. § 55-8-140(2), which provides as follows: LEFT TURNS ON TWO-WAY ROADWAYS.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-140(4) — 1 case
State of Tennessee v. Demarcus J. Love (Tenn. Crim. App. 2020). “2 Tennessee Code Annotated Section 55-8-140 only applies to turns at intersections and its application to this case is misconstrued.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 55-8-140(5)(C) — 1 case
Worther Williams v. Robert Steward (Tenn. Ct. App. 1998). “However, T.C.A. § 55-8-140 contains a subsection relating specifically to the plaintiff’s alleged conduct in the two-way turn lane.”
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