Toll lanes, turns, U-turns and intersections

Key points

1. At a cash toll plaza, never back up or reverse direction, and come to a complete stop at staffed lanes.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Never back up or reverse direction at a toll plaza. Come to a complete stop at staffed lanes.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

2. Turn right from the right-most portion of the lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Always turn right from the right-most portion of the lane.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

3. Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left, and turn from the left-most portion of the lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “When making a left turn yield to oncoming traffic. Always turn left from the left-most portion of the lane.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

4. If you miss an exit on a divided highway, drive to the next exit; never stop, back up or turn around.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “If a driver misses an exit on a divided highway, they should drive to the next exit to reverse direction. Drivers should never stop, back up or try to turn around.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

5. Before a U turn, check for signs prohibiting U turns.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “the driver should first check to see if it there are any signs indicating that U-turns are prohibited.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

6. Use a three point turn only when the road is too narrow for a U turn, and only on a two lane road.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “Drivers should use this type of turn only when the road or street is too narrow to make a U-turn. This type of turn should only be used on a two-lane roadway.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 26

7. Before moving from a stop at an intersection, look left, then right, then left again.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “It is recommended that drivers look left, then right and left again before entering the intersection.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 26

8. Do not pull out in front of a car just because its turn signal is on; the driver may not be turning.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “Drivers should not turn into a lane in front of another vehicle just because an approaching vehicle has a turn signal active.”
   New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 26

3 questions from the New Hampshire practice test

1. 1. From what part of the lane should a New Hampshire driver make a right turn?

   1. The center of the lane
   2. The left portion of the lane to widen the turn
   3. The right-most portion of the lane, without swinging wide to the left first
   4. Any part of the lane if signaling
   Show answer

   The right-most portion of the lane, without swinging wide to the left first. Right turns should always be made from the right-most portion of the lane, and the manual says to avoid swinging wide to the left before making the turn. A wide swing invites a bicyclist or another car into the gap on your right. Left turns are the mirror image, made from the left-most portion of the lane after yielding to oncoming traffic. Before any turn, search all corners, signal, and look through the turn to the farthest point on the intended path.

2. 2. You miss your exit on a divided New Hampshire highway. What should you do?

   1. Drive to the next exit to reverse direction
   2. Stop and back up on the shoulder to the ramp
   3. Make a U-turn through the median
   4. Pull over and wait for a gap to turn around
   Show answer

   Drive to the next exit to reverse direction. If a driver misses an exit on a divided highway, the manual says to drive to the next exit to reverse direction. Drivers should never stop, back up or try to turn around on the highway. Backing on a shoulder puts you in the path of traffic entering at 65 mph, and crossing a median is both illegal and dangerous. The extra miles to the next exit are the price of a safe correction.

3. 3. Before moving after stopping at a New Hampshire intersection, in what order does the manual recommend looking?

   1. Right, then left
   2. Straight ahead only
   3. Into the mirrors only
   4. Left, then right, and then left again
   Show answer

   Left, then right, and then left again. Drivers should not rely on other road users to obey signals or signs, so before moving after stopping at an intersection take the extra time to check for crossing traffic and bicyclists. The manual recommends looking left, then right, and then left again before entering. The last look is to the left because that is the first lane you will cross. When a light turns green, avoid moving immediately; make sure the path is clear and there is no crossing traffic.

Source: the New Hampshire Driver's Manual, Section 7: General Driving 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.