Virginia Code

Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-846 (2026)

Required position and method of turning at intersections; local regulations

✓ current as of May 2026

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A. Except where turning is prohibited, a driver intending to turn at an intersection or other location on any highway shall execute the turn as provided in this section.

1. Right turns: Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right 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 from the right half of the roadway and as close as possible to the roadway's center line, passing to the right of the center line where it enters the intersection. 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 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 direction on one or more of the roadways, and at any crossover from one roadway of a divided highway to another roadway thereof on which traffic moves in the opposite direction, the driver intending to turn left at any such intersection or crossover shall approach the intersection or crossover in the extreme left lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle and after entering the intersection or crossover the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection or crossover, as nearly as practicable, in the left lane lawfully available to traffic moving in such direction upon the roadway being entered.

B. Local authorities having the power to regulate traffic in their respective jurisdictions may cause traffic control devices to be placed within or adjacent to intersections and thereby direct that a different course from that specified in this section be traveled by vehicles turning at any intersection. When traffic control devices are so placed, no driver shall turn a vehicle at an intersection other than as directed by such traffic control devices.

Code 1950, § 46-231; 1952, c. 666; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-215; 1966, c. 128; 1989, c. 727; 2013, cc. 128, 400.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 4 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 1998–2026 · leading case: Hall v. Commonwealth, 529 S.E.2d 829 (Va. Ct. App. 2000).

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Hall v. Commonwealth, 529 S.E.2d 829 (Va. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 4× “Scalici testified that if appellant's truck had not hit the motorcycle at the point of impact, the truck would have traveled into oncoming traffic on Horner Road, indicating that he was "cutting the corner" in making the left turn; such a maneuver violates Code § 46.2-846, which…”

Jerome Demetrius Cooper v. Commonwealth of Virginia (Va. Ct. App. 2026). · cites it 7× “Code § 46.2-846(A)(3).6 In the case at hand, it is undisputed that Cooper was driving on a two-way roadway when he approached an intersection with 26th Street.”

Brandon Alexandria Dyer,s/k/a B.Alexander Dyer vCW (Va. Ct. App. 1998). · cites it 6× “Notwithstanding appellant's argument to the contrary, Farmer required no reasonable, articulable suspicion of illegal activity to record and check the license plate number and follow appellant's car at a distance for one-half mile, because these actions did not constitute a…”

Cornellus Lavon Oliver v. Commonwealth of Virginia (Va. Ct. App. 2015). · cites it 2× “6 We note here that Code § 46.2-846 mandates, [a]n approach for a left turn shall be made from the right half of the roadway and as close as possible to the roadway’s center line, passing to the right of the center line where it enters the intersection.”

— Va. Code Ann. § 46.2-846(A)(3) — 1 case

Jerome Demetrius Cooper v. Commonwealth of Virginia (Va. Ct. App. 2026). “Code § 46.2-846(A)(3).6 In the case at hand, it is undisputed that Cooper was driving on a two-way roadway when he approached an intersection with 26th Street.”

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