Very Tight Right Turns, What Would You Do?

I'd sit in the left lane and make the right turn if I had to, done it before. I'm certainly not gonna hit a hydrant, traffic sign, or something else going up on the curb to make the turn. So either I'll get a clear path or someone will be courteous and allow me to make the turn....or I'll just sit there and piss everyone off until it's clear.

 

Yeah as a student I guess you're pretty much handcuffed to do everything by the book per your instructor. If I drove the way I actually do out here with an examiner, I'd have probably been failed on my driving test lol

 

Or....
If the turn cannot be made,even from the left lane,go around the block so you enter that street straight.

 

I always say it's better to make a wrong turn than a dangerous one.

Not sure if that'll hold up in court but it's good enough for me.

 

There's school driving and then there's REAL WORLD DRIVING. Schools only help you enough to get your CDL. The REAL WORLD Training begins when you sign up with a Company. For example......

2 trucks lengths in front of you? You'll have every car out there cutting you off in a traffic jam. Look in your mirrors every 5 seconds? Who the hell does that for 10-12 hours a day. Double clutching? You'll wear out your left knee doing that all day in City Driving. 3 point contact when entering or exiting? MAYBE if I don't have a cup of coffee in my hand. No trucks in the left lane? Have you ever been to Jersey? EVERYBODY uses the left lane. Use the turn signal when changing lanes? Ha! That only makes the cars go faster. I usually do that while I'm changing lanes at the same time, otherwise you'll never change lanes in the Northeast.

Yep, there's school driving, and then there's REAL WORLD driving. You'll learn real quickly that most of the stuff you learn in school doesn't apply in REAL WORLD.

 

Well, I generally take up whatever lanes i need to in order to make the turn. A lot of state highways intersect in the center of a small town. It is not unusual for me to block the turn lane with my trailer and drive into the oncoming traffic lane to make a right turn.

I'm also not afraid to run over a curb or three (assuming there are no poles that I will hit) or park in the middle of the intersection until the people in the oncoming lane to the right move so I can finish the turn.

 

If you need to make a tight right turn, look ahead and see how wide it is. Turn the right signal on, and if you need to take up the right lane and a part of the turn lane to do it, go right ahead. It's just the nature of a 70 foot vehicle being in towns designed for cars. Try to take it up to where no one can squeeze in beside you on the right while you are waiting to turn.

 

Option 1: Go straight....three lefts equal one right.
Option 2: If straight through the intersection is a no truck zone then turn left when safe to do so then go around the block until you come at the corner straight
Option 3: If option 1 and 2 are not available, and you are certain you cannot make the right, put the 4 ways on and call the local police. Tell them the situation. They will either tell you to ignore the no truck sign or they will send a car to block traffic while you make the right. Get a badge number.

I have used option 3 a few times. Usually while pulling a permitted wide load. I am not going off route or into a no truck route for anything unless the cops tell me too. The cops are always very appreciative.