Turning at junctions
Position before the turn, give way to oncoming traffic and cyclists, and finish on the right of the new road
Goal
Position the car before a turn, check behind and beside you, give way to oncoming traffic, cyclists and pedestrians, and finish the turn on the right-hand side of the new road.
Animated scenarios in this lesson
Turning right
You approach a junction and will turn right into a side street. A cyclist is coming up behind you on your right.
Rule: 3 kap. 26 § Trafikförordningen: you may turn in a junction only if it can be done without danger or unnecessary hindrance to others travelling in the same direction, with special attention to the traffic behind. A right turn is made as near the right edge of the carriageway as is suitable, and the turn must leave you on the right of the road you enter. Trafiko and iKörkort: position the car near the right edge to show your intention, and do not turn in front of a cyclist or moped rider beside you.
Do this: Keep to the right edge, check the mirrors, signal right in good time, look over your right shoulder, let the cyclist pass, then turn slowly and close to the edge so that you finish on the right-hand side of the new road.
Not this: Turning at once without a look to the right, across the path of a cyclist riding straight on beside you.
Turning left
You approach a junction and will turn left. A car is coming towards you.
Rule: 3 kap. 24 §: a driver who will turn, or leave or cross the carriageway, must make sure it can be done without hindrance to oncoming traffic or to the traffic on the carriageway being entered. 3 kap. 26 §: a left turn is made as near the middle of the carriageway as possible (on a one-way road as near the left edge as possible), and the vehicle must be on the right of the road it enters. Trafiko: take the turn so that you come onto the right-hand side of the new road and leave room for oncoming traffic.
Do this: Move towards the centre line in good time, signal left, wait for the oncoming car, then turn. Go far enough into the junction that you do not cut the corner, and finish on the right-hand side of the new road.
Not this: Turning across the path of an oncoming car, or cutting the corner so that the turn ends on the wrong side of the new road.
Cycle passage after the turn
You turn right into a side street. A cycle passage crosses the street just after the corner, and a cyclist is on it.
Rule: 3 kap. 61 §: a driver who, after turning in a junction or leaving a roundabout, passes an unguarded cycle passage must drive at low speed and let cyclists and moped riders who are on the passage or about to ride onto it pass. 3 kap. 60 § and 61 § protect pedestrians on a crossing in the same way. iKörkort: when you cross a cycle passage, adjust your speed and be ready to stop.
Do this: Slow down before the turn so you can stop, take the corner slowly, stop before the passage, let the cyclist cross and continue slowly.
Not this: Taking the corner at normal speed and arriving at the passage with no time to stop.
Before the turn
Choose your lane in good time. Where the road has two or more lanes in your direction before the junction, a right turn is made from the rightmost lane and a left turn from the leftmost lane. For straight on, take the lane that suits the other traffic and your onward journey (3 kap. 25 §).
If the room in the junction is otherwise too small for your vehicle you may deviate from this, with special care (3 kap. 25 §, second paragraph).
Position the car near the right edge before a right turn, and near the middle of the road (the centre line) before a left turn. On a one-way road a left turn starts near the left edge (3 kap. 26 §; Trafiko; iKörkort).
Check the inner mirror, the side mirrors and the blind spot before you move sideways or turn, then signal in good time (lesson 4 of this series).
Right turn
Turn only if it can be done without danger or unnecessary hindrance to others travelling in the same direction. Pay special attention to the traffic behind you (3 kap. 26 §).
Keep the car near the right edge during the turn. If there are obstacles along the edge, such as parked cars, you may take the turn wider (Trafiko).
Keep watching the right side of the car. If a cyclist or moped rider is beside you, you may not turn in front of them (iKörkort).
End the turn on the right-hand side of the road you enter (3 kap. 26 §).
Left turn
Make sure the turn can be done without hindrance to oncoming traffic and to the traffic on the road you enter (3 kap. 24 §).
Place the car as near the middle of the carriageway as possible (3 kap. 26 §).
Take the turn so that you come onto the right-hand side of the new road and leave room for oncoming traffic (Trafiko). Do not cut the corner.
If two vehicles from opposite directions both turn left, they may pass on the left of each other when that can be done without danger or inconvenience (3 kap. 27 §).
Cyclists and class II moped riders may keep to the right before a junction even if they will turn left: they ride on to the far side and turn when it is safe (3 kap. 28 §). Expect this.
After the turn
Normally place the car near the right edge after a turn (Trafiko).
If you enter a road with two or more lanes in your direction, make the turn in the way that best suits the other traffic and your onward journey (3 kap. 27 §).
Cyclists, mopeds and pedestrians
After a turn, at an unguarded cycle passage: drive at low speed and let cyclists and moped riders who are on it or about to ride onto it pass (3 kap. 61 §). At a guarded passage the same applies (3 kap. 60 §).
At an unguarded pedestrian crossing you give way to pedestrians who are on it or about to step out (3 kap. 61 §). After a turn at a guarded crossing, drive slowly and give way to pedestrians (3 kap. 60 §).
Always check behind you, in the mirrors and in the blind spot, before you turn or move sideways (iKörkort).
Do not block the junction
When you approach or enter a junction, drive so that you do not cause unnecessary hindrance to the traffic on the crossing road if you are forced to stop in it (3 kap. 20 §).
Show clearly that you will give way by slowing down in good time or stopping, and continue only when this causes no danger or hindrance (3 kap. 5 §).
The law lists junctions, where crossing traffic may appear, among the places that need a sufficiently low speed (3 kap. 15 §).
Key numbers
- Right edge: Position before a right turn
- Centre line: Position before a left turn (one-way road: the left edge)
- Right side: Where you finish on the road you enter
- 3 kap. 24 §: A left turn must not hinder oncoming traffic
- 3 kap. 26 §: Turning in a junction: position, check behind, end on the right
- 3 kap. 61 §: After a turn, low speed and give way at a cycle passage
Common mistakes
- Cutting the corner on a left turn, so you end up on the wrong side of the new road.
- Turning right across a cyclist beside you because the mirror looked empty.
- Taking the corner fast and meeting a cycle passage with no time to stop.
- Stopping in the middle of the junction and blocking the crossing traffic.
- Having signalled: a signal gives no right of way (3 kap. 66 §).
Sources
- Trafikförordningen (1998:1276), consolidated text: Chapters 2–4: care, the rules for driving and the rules for motor vehicles; the paragraphs cited in the text
- Trafiko: Döda vinkeln och placering vid sväng i korsning: Right and left turn positions, where to finish, the checks before turning
- Trafiko: Placering, avsökning och hastighetsanpassning: Position, scanning and speed adaptation
- iKörkort: Placering och körfältsval: Position before turns; the lane changer carries the main responsibility
- iKörkort: Oskyddade trafikanter: Turning with cyclists, moped riders and pedestrians: blind spot, giving way, speed
Facts checked against sources on 2026-10-02.
Lesson 3: Priority Rules · Lesson 4: Crossings · Lesson 2: Lanes