Signaling, turns, U turns and parking

Key points

1. In urban areas, signal continuously for 100 feet before a turn or lane change.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “In urban areas, you must signal continuously for 100 feet before making a turn or lane change.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 12

2. On four lane highways posted faster than 40 mph, signal for 200 feet.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “On four lane highways where the posted speed limit is faster than 40 mph, you must signal for 200 feet before making a turn or lane change.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 12

3. A rule of thumb is to signal for at least 3 seconds before turning or changing lanes.

   Source: Handbook p. 12

   “A typical rule of thumb is to have your turn signal on for at least 3 seconds before making a turn or changing lanes.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 12

4. Never turn your front wheels left while waiting to turn. If rear ended, you would be pushed into oncoming traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “Never turn the front wheels toward the left while you are waiting to turn. If you are rear ended, you would be pushed into oncoming traffic.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 13

5. U turns are forbidden unless they can be made without endangering others, and never where No U Turn signs are posted.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “U-turns are forbidden unless they can be made without endangering other motorists and their passengers, and are not allowed in locations marked by No U-turn signs.”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 13

6. Do not park within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign or railroad crossing, or within 15 feet of a fire hydrant.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “Within 30 feet of a traffic signal, stop sign, railroad crossing or within 15 feet of a fire hydrant”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 13

7. Do not park on a crosswalk, sidewalk, bridge, railroad tracks or a controlled access highway.

   Source: Handbook p. 13

   “On a crosswalk, sidewalk, bridge, elevated structure, railroad tracks or any controlled access highway”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 13

8. When parallel parked, your vehicle must be within 12 inches of the curb.

   Source: Handbook p. 14

   “Where parallel parking is permitted, your vehicle must be within 12 inches of the curb”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 14

9. Parked uphill with a curb, turn your front wheels away from the curb.

   Source: Handbook p. 14

   “When headed uphill where there is a curb, turn the front wheels away from the curb”
   Colorado Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 14

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Colorado practice test

1. 1. How far before a turn or lane change must a driver signal in an urban area?

   1. Continuously for 25 feet
   2. Continuously for 100 feet
   3. Only for three seconds after beginning the maneuver
   4. For 200 feet on every road
   Show answer

   Continuously for 100 feet. In urban areas, Colorado requires a turn signal continuously for 100 feet before a turn or lane change. The handbook also gives a different 200-foot rule for four-lane highways where the posted speed limit is faster than 40 mph, so that distance does not apply to every road. Signaling after the maneuver begins gives other road users too little notice. Activate the signal early, keep it on through the required approach, and cancel it after completing the movement.

2. 2. On a four-lane highway posted faster than 40 mph, how far before a turn or lane change must you signal?

   1. 50 feet
   2. 100 feet
   3. 200 feet
   4. Only after the lane change begins
   Show answer

   200 feet. Urban streets use a 100-foot signal rule, but Colorado gives a longer distance for four-lane highways when the posted speed is faster than 40 mph. In that setting, the signal must be on for 200 feet before turning or changing lanes. The 100-foot choice is tempting because it applies elsewhere. Use the roadway type and speed limit together as your cue.

3. 3. Before turning left, what traffic must a driver yield to?

   1. All oncoming traffic unless protected by a green arrow or first at a four-way stop
   2. Only vehicles that are turning right
   3. Only pedestrians who are already in the roadway
   4. No traffic when the turn signal has been on for three seconds
   Show answer

   All oncoming traffic unless protected by a green arrow or first at a four-way stop. A left turn crosses the path of oncoming road users, so the driver must yield to all oncoming traffic unless a green arrow protects the movement or the driver arrived first at a four-way stop. A turn signal communicates intent but never grants priority. Restricting the yield to right-turning vehicles or pedestrians already in the lane misses bicyclists, motorcyclists, and other vehicles. Wait at the stop line or crosswalk until the gap is large enough to complete the turn safely.

Source: the Colorado Driver Handbook, Turning and Parking. 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.