Turning Left at Traffic Lights: A Step-by-Step Guide

To turn left at traffic lights: read the lane arrows early, get into the left lane, check your mirrors and signal left, then stop behind the white line if the light is red or amber, and only go when it’s green and the way is clear. It’s the same MSPSL routine you used in Lesson 3, with the lights deciding when you can go.

Lesson Journey: this guide is part of our lesson-by-lesson series for learner drivers.

• Lesson 1: The cockpit drill (DSSSM)
• Lesson 2: Moving off and stopping
• Lesson 3: Turning left (MSPSL)
• Lesson 4: Turning right (MSPSL)
• Lesson 5: Turning left at traffic lights (you are here)
• Lesson 6: Turning right at traffic lights
• Lesson 7: Roundabouts
• Lesson 8: Multi-lane and spiral roundabouts
• Coming next: emerging from junctions, crossroads, pedestrian crossings and manoeuvres

Next: Turning right at traffic lights →

1. Read the road early: look for signs and arrows painted in each lane. They tell you which lane to use for left, ahead and right.
2. Mirrors and signal: check your interior and left door mirrors, then signal left in good time.
3. Position: get into the left-hand lane, or the lane marked for left. Don’t change lanes at the last moment.
4. Speed: slow down as you approach, ready to stop if the lights change. A green light can turn amber at any time.
5. Look: watch the lights, the traffic ahead, and the road you’re turning into.

• Red: you must stop behind the white stop line, and you must not cross it while the light is red.
• Red and amber together: stop. Don’t move off until the green shows.
• Green: you may go if the way is clear. Check for pedestrians still crossing and cyclists alongside you.
• Amber: stop at the white line. You may only carry on if you’ve already crossed the line, or you’re so close that stopping could cause a crash.

Getting this wrong is common on test day: not responding appropriately to traffic lights is the 5th most common reason people fail. See all top 10 reasons people fail.

Some lights have a green arrow pointing left. When it shows, traffic turning left can go, even if the main light is red. Only use a filter lane if you’re going in the direction of the arrow, and give other traffic, especially cyclists, time and room to get into the right lane.

Many junctions in Manchester have a box at the front painted with a bike symbol, between two white lines. If the light is amber or red, you must stop at the first white line, not in the box. If the light turned red just after you crossed the first line, stop as soon as you can at the second line.

• Cyclists on your left: do a final check of your left mirror before turning. Cyclists can come up the inside, and don’t overtake a cyclist just before turning left.
• Pedestrians: on a green light, people may still be crossing the road you’re turning into. Give way to them.
• Bus and cycle lanes: give way to anyone using them.
• Keep to the left: turn into the left side of the new road, without swinging out first.

• Stopping over the white line, or inside the cyclist box.
• Rushing through on amber when there was time to stop.
• Sitting at a green light when the way is clear, which holds up traffic.
• Missing a green filter arrow because you’re only watching the main light.

Our DVSA-approved instructors practise traffic lights with you on quiet routes first, then busy Manchester junctions. Manual and automatic lessons across Greater Manchester, from £35 an hour, 7 days a week from 7am to 11:30pm.

Fill in the form and we’ll match you with an instructor near you, or call 07758 837589.

The Highway Code, GOV.UK. Checked 12 November 2026. Routines like DSSSM and MSPSL are how instructors teach the Highway Code; your instructor may use a slightly different version.

Can I turn left on a red light in the UK?

No. You must not cross the white stop line on red, unless there is a green filter arrow pointing left.

What should I do when the lights turn amber?

Stop at the white line. Only carry on if you have already crossed the line or are so close that stopping could cause a collision.

Can I stop in the cyclist box?

No. If the lights are amber or red, stop at the first white line. If you crossed it just as the light turned red, stop at the second line.

Do I give way to pedestrians when turning left at lights?

Yes. Give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross the road you are turning into.