Good driving habits, turns and three point turns

Key points

1. Before switching on the ignition, buckle your safety belt and make sure passengers do too.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “Before switching on the ignition, buckle your safety belt and see that all passengers do likewise.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 20

2. Keep both hands on the wheel except when you need one for signaling or another necessary task.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “Always keep both hands on the wheel except when it is necessary to remove one for signaling”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 20

3. Leaving a parallel spot, look over your shoulder and in the mirrors and wait until the way is clear.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “look over your shoulder as well as in rear view mirrors and wait until the way is clear before pulling into traffic.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 20

4. Drive within a single lane, without weaving or straddling the lane marking.

   Source: Handbook p. 20

   “You must drive within a single traffic lane without weaving from one lane to another or straddling the lane marking.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 20

5. Signal at least 100 feet before making a turn.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “At least 100 feet before making the turn, signal your intentions.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 21

6. Reduce speed before turning, and always finish your turn in the proper lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “Reduce speed before making turns. Always finish your turn in the proper lane.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 21

7. Three point turns are not allowed on interstates, on curves or near hilltops where others cannot see you within 500 feet.

   Source: Handbook p. 23

   “Three-point turns are not permitted on interstate freeways, on curves, or near the top of hills where you cannot be seen by drivers of other vehicles approaching from either direction within 500 feet.”
   Alabama Driver Manual, Handbook p. 23

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Alabama practice test

1. 1. How early should a driver signal before making a turn?

   1. At least 25 feet before turning
   2. At least 50 feet before turning
   3. At least 100 feet before turning
   4. Only after beginning the turn
   Show answer

   At least 100 feet before turning. The manual calls for signaling at least 100 feet before a turn and continuing the signal until the actual maneuver is ready. The shorter distances in the choices “At least 25 feet before turning” and “At least 50 feet before turning” give other road users less notice than required. Waiting until the turn begins is especially unsafe because a pedestrian or following driver may already be committed to the expected path. Plan the maneuver before reaching the corner, enter the proper lane early, activate the signal, and keep it operating through the approach. The signal communicates intention, but it does not remove the need to check for traffic and pedestrians.

2. 2. What should an Alabama driver do before leaving a parallel parking space?

   1. Look over the shoulder and in the mirrors, then wait for a clear way
   2. Pull out immediately if the front mirror is clear
   3. Sound the horn and enter the far lane
   4. Back into traffic without signaling
   Show answer

   Look over the shoulder and in the mirrors, then wait for a clear way. Before leaving a parallel parking space, check the mirrors and look over your shoulder, then wait until the way is clear. A mirror alone cannot show every area beside or behind the vehicle. The far-lane choice also skips the manual’s instruction to enter the nearest lane and remain there until a later change is safe. Signal the intention to leave, scan for approaching traffic and cyclists, and move smoothly only after the full entry path is open.

3. 3. Where does the Alabama manual say a three-point turn is not permitted?

   1. On interstate freeways
   2. On residential streets
   3. At intersections with no traffic
   4. In a private driveway
   Show answer

   On interstate freeways. A three-point turn is prohibited on interstate freeways. The maneuver requires several direction changes and can expose a driver to fast traffic, making a controlled turnaround at an appropriate location safer. The residential street choice is too broad because local conditions and ordinances govern many ordinary streets. An intersection with no traffic is not automatically excluded by this statement, and a private driveway is not the named prohibition. If a route requires reversing direction, continue to a legal, visible location where the turn can be completed without endangering anyone.

Source: the Alabama Driver Manual, Chapter 3: The Driving Task. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.