Regulatory Road Sign (R3-9a)
Two-Way Center Left Turn Lane Sign Meaning & Driving Rules
The Two-Way Center Left Turn Lane sign (MUTCD R3-9a) designates a shared middle lane reserved exclusively for vehicles making left turns from either direction of travel.
Required Driver Action & Right-of-Way Protocol
Signal and enter the center turn lane only within 200 feet of your turn. Yield to oncoming traffic and turn left when safe. Never use this lane to pass.
Detailed Overview & Purpose
Shared center left-turn lanes (often called 'center turn lanes') are bounded on each side by a solid outer yellow line and a broken inner yellow line. They provide a safe refuge for vehicles to slow down and wait for a gap in oncoming traffic before making a left turn into driveways or side streets.
State motor vehicle codes strictly prohibit using the center turn lane as a passing lane, regular travel lane, or driving in it for extended distances (typically restricted to a maximum of 200 to 300 feet).
Key Standard & Origin: Center left-turn lanes reduce rear-end collisions by over 30% by removing stopped left-turning cars from active through-lanes.
Where You'll Find This Sign
Mounted overhead or curbside along multi-lane suburban commercial arterials and undivided commercial strips.
Common Driver Mistakes to Avoid
Using the center lane to accelerate and merge into highway traffic, or using it as a passing lane to overtake slower vehicles.
How This Sign Appears on the DMV Knowledge & Road Test
Essential permit test topic covering pavement markings, legal turn distances, and passing prohibitions in center lanes.
Legal Penalties and Moving Violations
Improper use of a center left-turn lane carries moving violation citations ($150–$300) and points.
Sign Variations & Related Types
Center Lane Left Turn Only (R3-9b)
Text-based regulatory sign reinforcing mandatory left-turn rules for the center lane.
When you encounter the official Two-Way Center Left Turn Lane (R3-9a) on a roadway, what is your legal duty?
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