{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/46.2-846.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/46.2-846.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/46.2-846.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/46.2-846.html"}],"law_id":366274,"edition_id":2,"section_id":366274,"structure_id":52190,"section_number":"46.2-846","catch_line":"Required position and method of turning at intersections; local regulations","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7 46-231; 1952, c. 666; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-215; 1966, c. 128; 1989, c. 727; 2013, cc. 128, 400.","full_text":"A\n\nExcept 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.\n\n1\n\nRight 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.\n\n2\n\nLeft 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.\n\n3\n\nLeft 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.\n\nB\n\nLocal 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.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1364154,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"A1"},"1":{"id":1364155,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"A1","prefix_anchor":"A1","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"A2"},"2":{"id":1364156,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"A2","prefix_anchor":"A2","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A1","next_prefix":"A3"},"3":{"id":1364157,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["A","3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"A3","prefix_anchor":"A3","level":2,"prior_prefix":"A2","next_prefix":"B"},"4":{"id":1364158,"text":"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.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A3"}},"ancestry":[{"id":52190,"edition_id":2,"name":"Turning","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":7,"parent_id":52184,"metadata":{"child_laws":3,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:55:46","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:08","permalink":{"id":1457841,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52190,"identifier":"5","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/5","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/5\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52184,"edition_id":2,"name":"Regulation of Traffic","identifier":"8","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":52051,"metadata":{"child_laws":208,"child_structures":21},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:55:38","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:08","permalink":{"id":1457191,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52184,"identifier":"8","token":"46.2\/III\/8","url":"\/46.2\/III\/8\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52051,"edition_id":2,"name":"Operation","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":3,"parent_id":52048,"metadata":{"child_laws":589,"child_structures":55},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:29","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:07","permalink":{"id":1455599,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52051,"identifier":"III","token":"46.2\/III","url":"\/46.2\/III\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":52048,"edition_id":2,"name":"Motor Vehicles","identifier":"46.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":101,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":1830,"child_structures":157},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:52:29","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:34:02","permalink":{"id":1452291,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":52048,"identifier":"46.2","token":"46.2","url":"\/46.2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":366273,"structure_id":52190,"section_number":"46.2-845","catch_line":"Limitation on U-turns","url":"\/46.2-845\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/5\/46.2-845","metadata":false},{"id":366274,"structure_id":52190,"section_number":"46.2-846","catch_line":"Required position and method of turning at intersections; local regulations","url":"\/46.2-846\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/5\/46.2-846","metadata":false},{"id":366275,"structure_id":52190,"section_number":"46.2-847","catch_line":"Left turns by bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, and mopeds","url":"\/46.2-847\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/5\/46.2-847","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":366273,"structure_id":52190,"section_number":"46.2-845","catch_line":"Limitation on U-turns","url":"\/46.2-845\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/5\/46.2-845","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":366275,"structure_id":52190,"section_number":"46.2-847","catch_line":"Left turns by bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, and mopeds","url":"\/46.2-847\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/5\/46.2-847","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/46.2-846\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 5 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1952, chapter 666; in 1958, chapter 541; in 1966, chapter 128; in 1989, chapter 727; in 2013, chapters 128<\/a> and 400<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":366275,"section_number":"46.2-847","catch_line":"Left turns by bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, and mopeds","order_by":null,"url":"\/46.2-847\/"}],"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1457847,"object_type":"law","relational_id":366274,"identifier":"46.2-846","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/5\/46.2-846","url":"\/46.2-846\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/46.2-846\/","token":"46.2\/III\/8\/5\/46.2-846","dublin_core":{"Title":"Required position and method of turning at intersections; local regulations","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 46.2-846","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Except where turning is prohibited, a driver<\/span> intending to turn at an intersection<\/span> or other location on any highway<\/span> shall execute the turn as provided in this section. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> 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<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Left turns on two-way roadways<\/span>: At any intersection<\/span> where traffic is permitted to move in both directions on each roadway<\/span> entering the intersection<\/span>, an approach for a left turn shall be made from the right half of the roadway<\/span> and as close as possible to the roadway<\/span>’s center line, passing to the right of the center line where it enters the intersection<\/span>. After entering the intersection<\/span>, the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection<\/span> to the right of the center line of the roadway<\/span> being entered. Whenever practicable, the left turn shall be made to the left of the center of the intersection<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Left turns on other than two-way roadways<\/span>: At any intersection<\/span> where traffic is restricted to one direction on one or more of the roadways<\/span>, and at any crossover from one roadway<\/span> of a divided highway<\/span> to another roadway<\/span> thereof on which traffic moves in the opposite direction, the driver<\/span> intending to turn left at any such intersection<\/span> or crossover shall approach the intersection<\/span> or crossover in the extreme left lane<\/span> lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle<\/span> and after entering the intersection<\/span> or crossover the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection<\/span> or crossover, as nearly as practicable, in the left lane<\/span> lawfully available to traffic moving in such direction upon the roadway<\/span> being entered. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Local authorities having the power to regulate traffic in their respective jurisdictions<\/span> may cause traffic control devices<\/span> to be placed within or adjacent to intersections<\/span> and thereby direct that a different course from that specified in this section be traveled by vehicles<\/span> turning at any intersection<\/span>. When traffic control devices<\/span> are so placed, no driver<\/span> shall turn a vehicle<\/span> at an intersection<\/span> other than as directed by such traffic control devices<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nREQUIRED POSITION AND METHOD OF TURNING AT INTERSECTIONS; LOCAL REGULATIONS (\u00a7\n46.2-846)\n\nA. Except where turning is prohibited, a driver intending to turn at an\nintersection or other location on any highway shall execute the turn as provided\nin this section.\n\n 1. Right turns: Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be\n made as close as practicable to the right curb or edge of the roadway.\n\n 2. Left turns on two-way roadways: At any intersection where traffic is\n permitted to move in both directions on each roadway entering the\n intersection, an approach for a left turn shall be made from the right half of\n the roadway and as close as possible to the roadway’s center line,\n passing to the right of the center line where it enters the intersection.\n After entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to leave\n the intersection to the right of the center line of the roadway being entered.\n Whenever practicable, the left turn shall be made to the left of the center of\n the intersection.\n\n 3. Left turns on other than two-way roadways: At any intersection where\n traffic is restricted to one direction on one or more of the roadways, and at\n any crossover from one roadway of a divided highway to another roadway thereof\n on which traffic moves in the opposite direction, the driver intending to turn\n left at any such intersection or crossover shall approach the intersection or\n crossover in the extreme left lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the\n direction of travel of such vehicle and after entering the intersection or\n crossover the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection or\n crossover, as nearly as practicable, in the left lane lawfully available to\n traffic moving in such direction upon the roadway being entered.\n\nB. Local authorities having the power to regulate traffic in their respective\njurisdictions may cause traffic control devices to be placed within or adjacent\nto intersections and thereby direct that a different course from that specified\nin this section be traveled by vehicles turning at any intersection. When\ntraffic control devices are so placed, no driver shall turn a vehicle at an\nintersection other than as directed by such traffic control devices.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7 46-231; 1952, c. 666; 1958, c. 541, \u00a7 46.1-215; 1966, c.\n128; 1989, c. 727; 2013, cc. 128, 400.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}