Idaho Written Driver's License Practice Test

When should you yield when making a left turn at an intersection?

1. When oncoming traffic is present

2. Whenever you see a pedestrian

3. During rush hour

4. Only if you doubt your ability to turn

The correct answer is: When oncoming traffic is present

When making a left turn at an intersection, yielding to oncoming traffic is crucial for ensuring safety. This is because when you turn left, your vehicle crosses the lane of traffic that is moving toward you. If oncoming vehicles are approaching, failing to yield could lead to a collision, posing a significant risk to yourself, your passengers, and other road users. In addition, the presence of oncoming traffic dictates the timing of your turn; you must wait for a safe gap in traffic before proceeding. While yielding to pedestrians is important and should always be considered, the primary focus when turning left is to ensure that oncoming vehicles are not a hazard. During rush hour, traffic may be heavier, which often means more vehicles to watch for while making such a turn, but this situation doesn't inherently change the basic rule of yielding to oncoming traffic. Doubting your ability to turn does not serve as a valid reason to yield; the safety rules prioritize yielding based on the presence of other vehicles rather than personal confidence levels.