Texas Transportation Code §545.101: turning rules, turn signals and stop signals

The short answer

Texas Transportation Code §545.101 sets how an operator makes right and left turns at an intersection, §545.103 says an operator "may not turn the vehicle to enter a private road or driveway, otherwise turn the vehicle from a direct course, or move right or left on a roadway unless movement can be made safely" (Transp. Code §545.103), and §545.104(b) says an operator intending to turn "shall signal continuously for not less than the last 100 feet of movement of the vehicle before the turn" (§545.104). In a Texas crash report, the officer's opinion about these rules is recorded with contributing-factor codes 17, 28 and 63 to 66 (TxDOT code sheet CR-3CS).

This entry provides general informational guidance and is not legal advice.

Key facts (as of October 30, 2026)

• Right turn. Approach and turn as closely as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway (§545.101(a)).
• Left turn. Approach in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available, then turn so as to arrive in a lane lawfully available to traffic moving in that direction (§545.101(b)).
• Safe turning and lane moves. An operator may not turn, leave a direct course or move right or left on a roadway unless the movement can be made safely (§545.103).
• Signal distance. Signal continuously for not less than the last 100 feet before a turn, and signal to turn, change lanes or start from a parked position (§545.104).
• Stops. Do not stop or suddenly decrease speed without first giving a stop signal to the operator immediately to the rear when there is an opportunity (§545.105).
• How a signal is given. By hand and arm or by approved signal lamps; some vehicles must have signal lamps (§545.106).
• On the crash report. Codes 17, 28, 63, 64, 65 and 66 are in list 38 (CR-3CS).
• Not amended since 1995. The history lines for §§545.101 to 545.107 show the 1995 enactment (Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165) and no later amendment.

What does §545.101 say about turning at an intersection?

The official text of subsections (a) to (c) and (e) of Tex. Transp. Code §545.101, as published by the Texas Legislature:

Sec. 545.101. TURNING AT INTERSECTION. (a) To make a right turn at an intersection, an operator shall make both the approach and the turn as closely as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

(b) To make a left turn at an intersection, an operator shall:

(1) approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to a vehicle moving in the direction of the vehicle; and

(2) after entering the intersection, turn left, leaving the intersection so as to arrive in a lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of the vehicle on the roadway being entered.

(c) On a street or roadway designated for two-way traffic, the operator turning left shall, to the extent practicable, turn in the portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection.

(e) The Texas Transportation Commission or a local authority, with respect to a highway in its jurisdiction, may:

(1) authorize the placement of an official traffic-control device in or adjacent to an intersection; and

(2) require a course different from that specified in this section for movement by vehicles turning at an intersection.

Subsection (d) sets the left-turn rule for an operator approaching an intersection that has a roadway designated for one-way traffic and for which signs are posted: the turn is made "as closely as practicable to the left-hand curb or edge of the roadway" (§545.101(d)). Section 545.102 adds that an operator may not turn the vehicle to move in the opposite direction when approaching a curve or the crest of a grade "if the vehicle is not visible to the operator of another vehicle approaching from either direction within 500 feet" (§545.102).

Source: Tex. Transp. Code §545.101, statutes.capitol.texas.gov. Text last checked October 30, 2026.

What does §545.103 say about turning safely?

Sec. 545.103. SAFELY TURNING. An operator may not turn the vehicle to enter a private road or driveway, otherwise turn the vehicle from a direct course, or move right or left on a roadway unless movement can be made safely.

Source: Tex. Transp. Code §545.103, statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

The section is one sentence. It does not define "safely", and it does not set a distance, a speed or a time. A different statute, §545.152, covers which vehicle yields when one vehicle turns left and another approaches from the opposite direction; the right-of-way entry quotes it (§545.152).

What do §§545.104 to 545.107 say about signals?

Sec. 545.104. SIGNALING TURNS; USE OF TURN SIGNALS. (a) An operator shall use the signal authorized by Section 545.106 to indicate an intention to turn, change lanes, or start from a parked position.

(b) An operator intending to turn a vehicle right or left shall signal continuously for not less than the last 100 feet of movement of the vehicle before the turn.

(c) An operator may not light the signals on only one side of the vehicle on a parked or disabled vehicle or use the signals as a courtesy or "do pass" signal to the operator of another vehicle approaching from the rear.

Source: Tex. Transp. Code §545.104, statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

Sec. 545.105. SIGNALING STOPS. An operator may not stop or suddenly decrease the speed of the vehicle without first giving a stop signal as provided by this subchapter to the operator of a vehicle immediately to the rear when there is an opportunity to give the signal.

Source: Tex. Transp. Code §545.105, statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

Sec. 545.106. SIGNALS BY HAND AND ARM OR BY SIGNAL LAMP. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), an operator required to give a stop or turn signal shall do so by:

(1) using the hand and arm; or

(2) lighting signal lamps approved by the department.

Subsection (b) says a motor vehicle in use on a highway "shall be equipped with signal lamps, and the required signal shall be given by lighting the lamps" if measured distances from the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab or load (more than two feet) or to the rear limit of the body or load (more than 14 feet) are exceeded (§545.106(b)).

Source: Tex. Transp. Code §545.106, statutes.capitol.texas.gov.

Sec. 545.107. METHOD OF GIVING HAND AND ARM SIGNALS. An operator who is permitted to give a hand and arm signal shall give the signal from the left side of the vehicle as follows:

(1) to make a left turn signal, extend hand and arm horizontally;

(2) to make a right turn signal, extend hand and arm upward, except that a bicycle operator may signal from the right side of the vehicle with the hand and arm extended horizontally; and

(3) to stop or decrease speed, extend hand and arm downward.

Source: Tex. Transp. Code §545.107, statutes.capitol.texas.gov. Text last checked October 30, 2026.

A separate chapter requires turn signal lamps on motor vehicles: §547.324(a) says a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer or pole trailer "shall be equipped with electric turn signal lamps" that indicate the operator's intent to turn by displaying flashing lights to the front and rear and on the side toward which the turn is to be made (§547.324). The lights and brakes entry covers that chapter.

What does it mean in plain language?

• Two different turn rules. Section 545.101 is about where a vehicle goes (which lane to approach from, which lane to arrive in); §545.103 is about whether the movement can be made safely.
• The word practicable is not defined. The right-turn and two-way left-turn rules use "as closely as practicable" and "to the extent practicable"; the section does not define either phrase.
• The 100-foot number is a minimum. Subsection (b) says "not less than the last 100 feet", so it sets a floor for how long to signal a turn.
• Lane changes need a signal too. Subsection (a) lists "turn, change lanes, or start from a parked position" together.
• A signal is not permission. Section 545.104(c) says the signals may not be used as a courtesy or as a "do pass" signal to a driver behind.
• Stops are covered. Section 545.105 applies to stopping and to suddenly decreasing speed, and it is limited to when "there is an opportunity to give the signal".
• Bicycles. A bicycle operator may signal a right turn from the right side with the hand and arm extended horizontally (§545.107(2)); the bicycle entry covers chapter 551.
• A traffic offense. Failing to perform an act the subtitle requires is an offense, generally a misdemeanor (§542.301).

How does a crash report record turns and signals?

• Six codes. In list 38 of the code sheet, code 17 is "Disregard Turn Marks at Intersection", code 28 is "Failed to Signal or Gave Wrong Signal", code 63 is "Turned Improperly - Cut Corner on Left", code 64 is "Turned Improperly - Wide Right", code 65 is "Turned Improperly - Wrong Lane" and code 66 is "Turned when Unsafe" (CR-3CS, 4/1/2023).
• How TxDOT defines them. TxDOT's CR-100 instructions describe code 63 as when "a vehicle turning left at an intersection starts or ends its turn too soon and the action contributes to the crash", citing "Section 545.101 (b)", and code 64 as when "a vehicle turning right at an intersection fails to keep as near as practical to the right curb or edge of roadway", citing "Section 545.101 (a)". They describe code 66 as when "a vehicle turns right or left or moves from a direct course when the turn or movement could not be made safely, and the action contributes to the crash", citing "Section 545.103" (CR-100, Version 29.0).
• Signals and turn marks. CR-100 describes code 28 as when "failure to give the appropriate signal or giving a wrong signal contributes to the crash", citing "Section 545.104, 545.105, 545.106", and code 17 as when a vehicle "fails to follow the directed course as required by official traffic control devices within or adjacent to an intersection", citing "Section 545.101".
• An opinion, not a charge. The contributing factors on a CR-3 are the investigating officer's opinion. The guide to reading a Texas crash report explains the other fields and code lists.
• Civil claims are separate. These sections say what a driver must do. They do not say whether or how a violation matters in a civil injury claim; Texas's rules on dividing responsibility among the people involved are in chapter 33 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, which the §33.001 entry quotes.

What applies in Houston and Harris County?

• Statewide rules. Sections 545.101 to 545.107 apply on Houston streets and Harris County roads and freeways as everywhere in Texas.
• Local courses at intersections. Section 545.101(e) lets the Texas Transportation Commission or a local authority, for a highway in its jurisdiction, require a course different from the one in the section and authorize an official traffic-control device in or next to an intersection. The signs, markings and signals at a given intersection show which course applies there.
• No local rule found. No City of Houston or Harris County ordinance on turning or signaling was read for this entry, and none is listed.
• Same crash report. A crash investigated by the Houston Police Department, the Harris County Sheriff's Office or another agency is reported on the same CR-3 form; the Houston crash report guide lists how each local agency says to request a copy. The study of serious-crash intersections in Houston uses the same crash records.

When was this checked, and can it change?

The text above was last checked on October 30, 2026, against the official text published by the Texas Legislature, and the TxDOT code sheet and instructions were read the same day. The Legislature can amend a statute in any session. It convenes in regular session on the second Tuesday in January of each odd-numbered year (Gov't Code §301.001), so the next regular session begins on January 12, 2027. This entry is scheduled to be rechecked against the official text by April 2027 and again after the 2027 regular session ends.

Related guides

• What to do after a car accident in Texas
• How to read a Texas crash report (CR-3)
• Right-of-way at intersections: the §545.151 entry
• Traffic signals and signs: the §544.007 entry
• Passing and lane use: the §545.051 entry
• Vehicle lights and brakes: the chapter 547 entry
• Bicycle rules: the chapter 551 entry
• Houston intersections with serious crashes, 2021 to 2023
• Texas car crash law reference: all entries
• Car accident information for Houston

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