Improper turn tickets are one of the most common types of traffic tickets issued in New York City especially in Manhattan. This is a common ticket because impatient motorists confronted with a backed-up turning lane will sometimes “jump the line” by making a wide turn from another lane. This traffic ticket carries 2 points and roughly a $150 fine.
An improper turn is when a motorist turns right from a center or left lane, or left from a center or right lane. Stated differently, a motorist turning left may only do so from the left lane and when turning right may only do so from the right lane. Sometimes there will be pavement marking reminding motorists of this rule but often this is not the case.
The two exceptions are (1) when there are pavement markings and/or signs that specifically authorize turning from another lane, and (2) when there is a legitimate obstruction in the way (not backed-up or slow traffic) that requires you to go around it.
New York Vehicle and Traffic Law (“VTL”) Section 1160(a) governs right-hand turns and essentially states that approaches to and right turns must be made from the right lane.
Left-hand turns are a little more complicated, however. Section 1160(b) and (c) sets forth the proper position for left-hand turns. Subdivision (b) governs when you are turning left to or from a two-way roadway while subdivision (c) governs when you are turning left to or from a one-way roadway. The full text of these subdivisions is below.
It is important to check under which subdivision your traffic ticket is issued (vis-à-vis the place of occurrence) as the wrong section of law can be a strong argument in favor of getting a dismissal. For example, if you are charged under 1160(b), make sure that both roads where the offense occurred are two-way streets. If either one is a one-way roadway, then you can argue that you were charged under the wrong section.
Often, however, a police office will charge a improperly turning motorist under VTL 1163(a). This is a catchall section that covers any type of improper turn. Therefore, if you are issued a summons under this section, it is irrelevant whether the subject intersection is two one-way streets, or not.
Often improper turn tickets are issued in conjunction with a second ticket. Companion tickets that we often see issued with an improper turn ticket are failure to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian as well as failure to signal. If this is your situation, then a good argument to make is that you should not be penalized for essentially one maneuver and, therefore, one of the two charges should be dismissed.
Of course, there are other ways to possibly beat these types of traffic tickets. If you are looking for a professional assistance to fight your traffic ticket, call us at 212-683-7337 for a free consultation.
VTL Section 1160. Required position and method of turning at intersections.
The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows:
(a) Right turns. Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway or, where travel on the shoulder or slope has been authorized, from the shoulder or slope.
(b) Left turns on two-way roadways. At any intersection where traffic is permitted to move in both directions on each roadway entering the intersection, an approach for a left turn shall be made in that portion of the right half of the roadway nearest the center line thereof and by passing to the right of such center line where it enters the intersection and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection to the right of the center line of the roadway being entered. Whenever practicable the left turn shall be made in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection.
(c) Left turns on other than two-way roadways. At any intersection where traffic is restricted to one direction on one or more of the roadways, the driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at any such intersection shall approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane of the roadway lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle or, where travel on the shoulder or slope has been authorized, from the shoulder or slope, and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection, as nearly as practicable, in the left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in such direction upon the roadway being entered.
VTL Section 1163. Turning movements and required signals.
(a) No person shall turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway as required in section eleven hundred sixty, or turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway, or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety. No person shall so turn any vehicle without giving an appropriate signal in the manner hereinafter provided.
We get a lot of specific questions from our clients such as how much does an illegal left turn ticket costs in NYC, what are the implications for a right turn from second lane and questions regarding right turn on red in New York State. If you have any further questions or if you are in need of legal counsel for your ticket, contact our office today.
288 Comments. Leave new
I received an improper turn ticket making a right turn onto 44th from 8 ave. The curb lane was a parking lane and a vehicle was attempting to make a right turn from that lane. I made a right turn from the first “street” lane. Did I violate the law?
Greg,
Right turns must be made from the far-most right lane. Sounds like you turned from the middle lane.
Matthew Weiss
I was making a split/slight left turn in Nassau County but forgot to signal and was given tickets 1163A. I haven’t had any traffic violation for over 15 years. Should I fight for the ticket or plea guilty? I am concern it would raise my insurance premiums.
JL,
This ticket alone cannot result in your insurance rates increasing. However, I still recommending pleading not guilty as this is the only way to possibly avoid points.
Matthew Weiss
I made a left in queens and I guess by mistake forgot to signal
What should I do
Can I fight it
Max,
You should plead not guilty as this is the only way to possibly obtain a more favorable result.
Matthew Weiss
I was traveling northbound on Broadway in Queens approaching Northern Blvd. The intersection has a left turn lane, and a left turn light on the northbound Broadway side. The opposite southbound side is one lane. When the light changes, it allows the northbound to turn left. I was stopped for turning left from the middle lane and issued a violation 1163a, Improper Turn. With the opposite traffic being held, and I utilized the green turn light to make the left, albeit from the wrong lane, I don’t believe I violated to “safety” component of the law. Your thoughts on worthiness of fighting? Appreciate your thoughts.
AK,
Nothing which you’ve written suggests to me that you will beat this case. You admittedly turned from the wrong lane.
Matthew Weiss
Appreciate your prompt reply and advice. Thank you!
Cops nabbed me on 3rd ave and 63rd st for making an improper right turn from the center lane. I know the points and fine. But there was a sign there for a long time, cop said they took it down 3 months ago. There used to be arrows on the road, but now with new construction, there are no lines on the road. Can I fight this saying that there was a sign and painted arrows, new construction, now no sign/arrow,… I don’t know what applies. How can the city change traffic rules, leave it for a year or better, then change it back with no warning? Worth fighting?
Jerry,
The City can change the traffic rules. I doubt that you’ll win on this “change” defense”.
Sorry.
Matthew Weiss
Hi this is Kevin, I got a improper turn ticket today, violation 1163(A). I was in the middle lane going into a 2 lane street. The middle and left lane merge into a left turn only lane, right lane will be straight or right turn only. I merged from middle into the left turn lane, as I make the left turn, the car which was a little behind me (merging from left lane) sped up and turned left as well. The cop pulled me over and issued me a ticket. Am I at fault ? Can I fight this ticket ?
Kevin,
It sounds like you violated the improper turn statute. You can only turn left from the left lane (unless there is pavement markings allowing for such a turn from the center lane). With that said, you should still plead not guilty as this is the only way to possibly avoid the points and fine.
Matthew Weiss
On Feb 4,2018, a raining afternoon, when I turn right from the right lane on a green light ,
On Feb 4, 2018, at 42th street to 5 th ave, a raining afternoon, I turned to right on the right lane when it was green light, the cob waiting for me then give me a ticket, she said” there is a no turn sign, bus can turn , but not you”. I only saw the one way arrow but not other sign. So, I was the second of three drivers at same time to get same ticket. This is my first time to get a ticket, and it will have 2 points on my license. Should I plea not guilty for that? How many chances I will win?
Ruby,
The only way to possibly obtain a more favorable result is by pleading not guilty.
Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Hi – I received an improper right turn ticket because I turned from the left lane instead of the right lane. There was a handicapped bus stopped in the right lane loading a passenger, so I had to go around.
As I made the right turn, the bus started moving and he made a right turn too. The cop who was further down the street that we turned on did not obviously see the fact that the bus was stopped before. He pulled me over and gave me a ticket. DIdn’t even give me a chance to explain or discuss.
Should I fight this in court? If I lose in court what is my downside. I assume additional court fines, but I assume the points wouldn’t be worse?
Tom,
This ticket carries 2 points and roughly a $150 fine. There is no downside to fighting it (other than the time it takes).
Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Hi my name is Martha I make improper left turn,I going to see the judge and play no guilty ,it was a bus on front of me ,I don’t see. The sign ,I have s clean record ,do you think I going to win this case?I need you help
Marta Ortiz,
I doubt that you will win. Sorry.
Matthew Weiss
How are you doing. I have a question. I received an improper right turn ticket on Houston St. There was a tunnel going onto the highway. I did not see any signs on the ground regarding which direction to turn before I entered the tunnel. I’ve never driven to this part of Manhattan but usually, roads give you a heads up on what is coming up either on the ground or with a road sign. However, I did not see any signs before I entered the tunnel which then showed me which way to go. I was in the middle with a wide greyhound bus on my left and some cars on my right. The middle lane suggested that I go either straight or left. I could not go left because the bus made a wide right turn before going left and so to avoid its turn I turned right. And about 10 seconds later while there was still traffic, I was pulled over my officers and given a ticket.
I am of course going to fight this, however, my question is can I battle this ticket by using the tunnel and lack of signal before entering the tunnel and or can I use the bus to plead not guilty? Because that’s what happened. I’ve taken pictures and videos of the road before and after the tunnel to clarify what happened
Benjamin Mensah,
I don’t understand your question about “using the tunnel and lack of signal”. With that said, it seems like you were required to turn left or go straight and did not. Sorry.
Matthew Weiss
I got a failure to signal on a left turn (Traffic Ticket shows 1163AS) in lower Manhattan. Turn left from Delancy on to Allen. This will be the 1st moving violation in the last 15 yrs. I understand it’s 2 points and fine is $138. Any chance of winning if I fight this ticket? Or any chance to just paying fine but no points? I’m more concern about the insurance rates.
TK,
This will be very hard to beat because the Traffic Violations Bureau does not engage in plea bargaining. If you plead not guilty, a hearing will be scheduled and the only outcomes will be guilty or not guilty.
Given your otherwise clean record and the minor nature of this charge, you could just pay this one. It only carries 2 points and alone cannot adversely affect your insurance rates.
Matthew Weiss
Ticketed for “Improper turn” (1163) and “Fail to Yield” making a wide right onto 6th from 42nd. I’ve made this same turn before with officers directing me to do so, so I assumed it was OK. Is it worth me trying to fight this and companion? I already have 2pts from “Disobey Sign” ticket I paid only a few months ago so I’m concerned about DRA.
Your Ticket Analyzer recommended not fighting… that I do not need an attorney and these will not negatively affect my license or insurance. I’m confused, since I thought they are 2 points each and my insurance will go up on top of the DRA. I’m a non-CDL delivery driver. Please help.
Sung Kim,
We would recommend fighting these tickets. It seems like you may not have entered both tickets at the same time into the Ticket Analyzer. If entered separately, the Ticket Analyzer might have given you the wrong, “don’t fight” recommendation.
Matthew Weiss
What are my chances? Should I get professional help? Is fighting the companion fairly easy to do myself?
Hi, I received a ticket back in Feburary 2017 in Brooklyn For not signaling from a LEFT TURN ONLY LANE at the intersection of Bourum and Atlantic Avenue I was heading Southbound . The officer approached my car asked for my License and Registration. When I asked why I was being pulled over she said I failed to signal. She DID NOT CHECK to if my blinker was working or not. The next day I went to my mechanic and he told me that my bulb was burned out, He fixed it and gave me a receipt.
I went in front of a Judge on Thursday November 30th 2017 in Brooklyn at Atlantic Mall I pleaded NOT GUILTY and the judge found me guilty.
I have two questions, Do I have to use my turning signal if I’m making a left turn from a LEFT TURN LANE ONLY ???
Second question, If my blinker light was broken and I showed the judge a receipt from the mechanic that it was fixed the same day the summons was issued, Shouldn’t I have won ???
I am filing an appeal.
Please advise
Barry,
My answers in bold below:
Do I have to use my turning signal if I’m making a left turn from a LEFT TURN LANE ONLY? Yes.
If my blinker light was broken and I showed the judge a receipt from the mechanic that it was fixed the same day the summons was issued, Shouldn’t I have won? Possibly, you would have needed to convince the judge (which you apparently did not).
Matthew Weiss
I got improper left turn on one-way roadway is that points on my license?
Emmanuel O,
If you are convicted, an improper turn ticket carries 2 points and roughly a $150 fine.
Matthew Weiss
Hello – I received a ticket for Section 1160C for making an improper left turn. It was on Atlantic Ave and Bedford heading north bound in Brooklyn. It was during rush hour and the car in front and behind me had on their signals to turn. I thought I could turn left since I could not see the lanes in the road due to traffic.
I was pulled over but the other vehicles that also turned kept going. It was an honest mistake. I don’t mind paying the ticket since I realized after that I turned from the wrong lane. However I want to dispute the points from showing on my license. How can I do about doing so? Should I plea ‘Not guilty’ on the ticket and wait for a court date?
Rachael H,
You should plead not guilty as this is the only way to possibly get this ticket dismissed. With that said, an “honest mistake” is not a viable defense and the NYC traffic ticket courts do not engage in plea bargaining. Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
Hello
I received an improper left turn ticket, 1160b by the botanical gardens and bedford Ave. I couldn’t manage to get into the left lane in time and got stuck in the cross street and proceeded to turn from the right lane and make a left. There are no signs indicating you cannot make a left from that right lane and none in the left lane no arrows or anything. I have 5 pts already on my license can / shud fight this?
K,
The lack of signage is not a viable defense.
With that said, you should fight it given your point issues and given that fighting it is the only way to possibly avoid the 2 points that an improper turn ticket carries.
Matthew Weiss
SAME THING BUT IT WAS TRAFFIC LIGHT GREEN TO THE LEFT AND THE STRAIGHT IS RED IM IN MIDDLE LANE AND NO TRRAIFC EVEN NO ANY CAR IN the WHOLE STREET I PUT THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL THEN I TURN WHEN THE LIGHT IS GREEN
Anas,
It is illegal in NY to turn left from the middle lane (unless there are pavement markings authorizing such a maneuver).
Matthew Weiss
Hello,
Received a imp left turn violation #1160B as I tried to enter the Major Degan southbound from Fordham Road. Because the incoming lane was blocking the turn, was forced to go around the car in order to proveed forward on the ramp of the Degan highway.
In addition my ticket has errors. The plate listed is incorrect. My plate begins with a G but the ticket shows S24DMH. This is not my plate. My car is a 2017 but is listed as 2014.
Can I contest this ticket
Flora Newkirk Wood,
The “blocking issue” will be your word agains the officer (and guess whose word will be believed) and the errors which you list do not render your ticket fatally defective.
Matthew Weiss
Dear Mr. Weiss,
I got a ticket after making a right turn from Amsterdam Ave (north bound) to (two lane) 96th st.
The crossing
On Amsterdam Ave:-
– 3 lanes had a straight arrow as pavement marking
– left of the 3 lanes was another lane without any pavement marking. The line separating this lane from the 3 others was dashed at some part.
– right of the 3 lanes was a part of asphalt as wide as a lane, without any pavement marking, but (to my knowledge, pl correct if wrong) the solid line that separated it from the 3 lanes implied it was not a lane. The line is solid durig the entire block, and does not split, merge or bend.
– 2 of the traffic lights have a right arrow, indicating motorists are allowed to take a right turn unless it’s red, even though it is not clear (to me) from which lane this should be done.
The event
I was on the rightmost lane of the 3 with the straight arrow, signaling to take a right turn, with a car to the right to me, so on the asphalt that assumed not to be a lane. When the lights started flashing yellow (these ones never turn green), I took the right turn, but since the other car also took the right turn I had to take a wider turn, ending on the left lane of 96th st. All fine I thought, but an officer gave me a ticket “because I should have taken the turn from the right-most lane and because I cut off the other car”. In my opinion, the other car was coming from a non-existing lane so I did not cut it.
The ticket
The physical ticket says I’m in volation 1160c, ‘Right turn Improper’. Afaik, 1160c is “Improper left turn”, which was certainly not the case. Also online the mentioned offense is “IMP LEFT TURN-1 WAY”. The crossing does not have any 1-ways.
Q1 Was I making the turn from the correct lane or not?
Q2 Do I stand a chance fighting this?
Q3 If so, should I claim I was making the turn correctly or go for “issued under the wrong subdivision”? Or both?
Wammus,
Answers in bold below:
Q1 Was I making the turn from the correct lane or not? Right turns must be made from the right-most lane (unless there are pavement markings in another lane allowing also for a right turn).
Q2 Do I stand a chance fighting this? Yes, everyone has a chance as there are multiple ways to beat a traffic ticket.
Q3 If so, should I claim I was making the turn correctly or go for “issued under the wrong subdivision”? Or both? No.
Matthew Weiss
Dear mr Weiss,
I’m sorry for being unclear:
Q1 Based on the info I provided, do you think the mentioned part of asphalt (right of the 3 lanes with a straight arrow, separated from those lanes by a line that is solid the entire block) count as a lane? Since this is kind of making my case.
Q3 Do you think my chances of winning the case are higher by (1) claiming it is not a lane or by (2) pointing out the ticket was issued under the wrong subdivision? Or by (3) doing both?
For your convenience, I you can click on my name Wammus to see a picture of the actual crossing.
Wammus,
I got the same ticket at the same intersection. Did you decide to fight it? What was the end result?
Thanks,
Doug
Hi Doug,
I decided to fight it, and will have my hearing end of March.
Furthermore, 1 month AFTER I got the ticket (end of last October), the pavement marking have been renewed (see photo by clicking my name on top of this post), suggesting authorities found the previous situation unclear too..
@mrWeiss: can I use photos at my hearing when defending my case? Should I bring them hardcopy?
What was the result of your hearing? I recently got the same ticket at the same intersection.
I made a improper right turn from the inside lane onto Pitt st. from grand street as I was trying to get onto the Williamsburg bridge. There was a lot of traffic and I saw no signs that said right side lane only turn. There were trucks outside a pharmacy which I assumed were unloading or something. So I stayed in the middle lane and then suddenly found a sign in front of me that said Williamsburg bridge with an arrow. I thought I made a safe turn and then was picked up and given a 1160a ticket. From the way the traffic was moving I thought I was able to turn from the middle of three lanes. I have a court date and I’m wondering if it’s worth fighting this ticket? please advise.
Karri,
It is generally illegal to turn from a middle lane in New York State unless there are pavement markings permitting such a maneuver.
Matthew Weiss
I received a ticket today for leaving a right hand turn lane to join the on-going traffic. The notice for the turn only lane was not adequate and did not provide an opportunity to merge over. There were not solid white lines for the lanes and I merged prior to crossing the intersection. The officer explained that I should have just turned. There was no one behind me in the turning lane and a vehicle allowed me access, my signal was on.
What is the required notification for a lane changing from normal traffic to a turn only lane?
LW,
Once you are in the turn only lane, you must make the turn. That’s why it is a turn ONLY lane.
Matthew Weiss
I got 1163a ticket in Flushing. I did a wide left turn on center lane, my signal was on. There is no sign said you can’t turn left from the center lane. Also, there was no PRINT arrow on the road said straight only, but on left lane, it has the print of left turn arrow. The ticket carried 2 points and $138 fine. What should I do?
Kira,
You generally can not turn from a middle lane in New York State, unless there are pavement markings. Fortunately, this is a minor ticket. If you have an otherwise clean record and you are not prone to get tickets, then it would be a reasonable decision to just pay this one.
Matthew Weiss
I was driving east in the right lane on 42nd St behind a truck. Approximately 100 feet from 11th Ave, the truck stopped in front of an apartment building and put on its flashers. I went around the truck. I could not get back into the right lane because there was a taxi at the corner discharging a passenger and a trailer truck behind it. The right lane also had a solid white line. I didn’t want to block traffic so continued and turned from the middle lane onto 11th Ave. A cop was sitting half way between 42 & 41st streets on the east side of 11th Ave. He didn’t ask me any questions & gave me a 1163(a) ticket. He couldn’t see the truck double parked on 42nd St. from his position. I’ve never received a ticket since I received my license 34 yrs. ago. Do I have a case?
Mike,
You make an illegal turn. If you couldn’t get back into the right lane, you were required to go straight.
Matthew Weiss
I was cited with improper left turn in the Bronx. There was a disabled vehicle in the left lane and after waiting a cycle of the light turning the driver waved me ahead and I went around the disabled car and subsequently turned from the center lane.
The area is a construction zone and pretty much a disgraceful ticket trap and I wanted to know if I have a valid defense based that the disabled car was an obstruction?
Ralph,
You are allowed to move around a disabled car but you were required to get back into the left lane before making your turn.
Matthew Weiss
Hi, I got a Improper right turn ticket turning from 7th Ave to 31st Street from the 2nd most lane on right lane. what should i do now? Fine is $138 and as you say it will carry 2 points also. What you should advice is fight the ticket worth or not? Thanks.
Anthony,
If you have an otherwise clean record, then just pay this one. It is a minor 2-point ticket and will be tough to be in NYC (where they do not plea bargain).
Matthew Weiss
Hi, Mr. Weiss, thanks very much for this informative posting. I received a § 1160(a) ticket turning right from not quite the right lane. The actual rightmost lane on 5th Ave at 85th Street is a BUS lane, and I thought I was not supposed to enter a bus lane. Further, there was a bus in the bus lane with its hazards on and reading “not in service”. I believe it was not moving. There were one or two cars ahead of the bus between the front of the bus and the corner. It didn’t seem logical to cut into the bus lane under the circumstances. So, Q1) was I supposed to be in the bus lane to make the right turn? and Q2) if the bus were truly disabled (it may have only been ‘resting’), was I supposed to cut a deep angle in front of the bus to utilize the maybe 1 1/2 car lengths of rightmost lane ahead of it so I could make my turn? and Q3) Can one appeal a traffic ticket ruling that one doesn’t like? Thanks.
Barry,
Answers in bold below:
Q1) was I supposed to be in the bus lane to make the right turn? Right turns must be made from the far right lane (even if a bus lane), unless there was a non-moving obstruction which you were required to go around. It does not sound like you were faced with being behind a disabled bus, however, from your description.
Q2) if the bus were truly disabled (it may have only been ‘resting’), was I supposed to cut a deep angle in front of the bus to utilize the maybe 1 1/2 car lengths of rightmost lane ahead of it so I could make my turn? Yes.
Q3) Can one appeal a traffic ticket ruling that one doesn’t like? Yes, but it is virtually impossible to win an appeal.
Matthew Weiss
I got a ticket for improper turn on first ave and 57-th st making left turn to the Queensboro Bridge.I was coming on 1-st ave from 55-th st and I couldn’t get onto the left line to make a left because nobody let me sneak in in such a short distance and behind me they were other cars horning me to go straight.But anyway almost every day in the same place they are others who are making the same thing in front of the cops without geting pulled over like I was and this is frustrating.But that intersection because of the bridge is always packed and some times you are almost forced to do things like that.Do I have a chance to fight the ticket?My driver licence is clean,I never had points or tickets.Thank you.
Daniel,
Nothing which you’ve written makes me optimistic that you’ll win.
Fortunately, an improper turn ticket is relatively minor carrying only 2 points. Further, alone, it cannot affect your insurance rates.
Matthew Weiss
Hello
I carried NJ licensed
And got a tickets for VTL 1163a,
Is there point eggenct on my NJ license please .
Mashuk,
If you plead guilty or are found guilty of an improper turn ticket, you will get 2 NY points as as well as 2 NJ points.
Matthew Weiss
I was given a ticket for Disobey (Sign – No right turn) on 6th ave @23rd st, yesterday @ 7PM. I didn’t argue officer since I was getting late. I did drive back there to see the sign and found there is clear One way right direction sign directly in front of driver near to Traffic Signal, and three other No right turn signs on extreme far from signal which is very easy to miss in rush time. I find it misleading that they put One Way right arrow sign near turn and No right turn signs far away from the signal. I’m from NJ and it was my first time on that area. I have clean past history. I have all the photographs as well. Should I plea not guilty ?
Navi,
You have nothing to lose by fighting this 3-point ticket. Go for it!
Matthew Weiss
Right turn north bound 6th ave to east bound 23 st in manhattan. I picked up from the left side 6th ave and 22 st in uber/via then immediate right turn on 23 st. I’m approached in right lane and infront of me 2 cars are also between 2 lanes but behind me a van which inside right lane. Behind that police van is parked in the right turn and. Rhonda that is parking. So no way to go inside properly to the right lane. So I did right turn but pulled over and got ticket. My car comes with video and it’s look like the behind van and I trying same time right turn and guess im little bit faster than him. It’s seems to me he picked up somebody from that lane but video not captured that as it’s other side. Can I defense to dismiss the ticket and no point as I have no point. I drive for uber and via.
Md haq,
If you plead not guilty, you will be assigned a hearing date to fight your ticket. In NYC, they do not plea bargain. So the only way to win is to convince the judge that you were not guilty. Good luck!
Matthew Weiss
hi, I was on the way to my work and I got my gps to get a faster way. on the way I got a sign don’t turn on the right is seasonal sign from april to september 6:00 am to 8:00. but I was watching my gps because I don’t want to pass the enter but one car coming behind me and I didn’t notice the sign, the police stopped my car and I tried to explain I was using my gps and I didn’t see the sign but he just asked for my license an registration and I got my ticket and I tried to explain one more time, but he just said I heard that. you have to take care for the next time. later I return back to see the sign and the sign is not locate in the same corner is like 15 or 20 feet before the corner and has another real estate sign next to the sign. the place is a rural zone. and I don’t want lose points from my license.
Ruben Rodríguez,
Failing to see the sign is not a defense (as long as it is visible and un-obstructed).
Matthew Weiss
Hi Matthew,
I received a “Disobey Traffic Device – NO Left Turn” On Broome Street and Bowery in NYC. It was a busy Saturday afternoon and I had no intention of making this turn but I was “blocking the box”. As the light turned red, angry drivers coming down Bowery Street were aggressively beeping/honking me. I am from New Jersey and almost never drive into the city. So I have two questions: do I have a chance to have this ticket dismissed? and If not, does this ticket affect my NJ license record and auto insurance? Thanks for you help!
Jerry,
An improper turn tickets carries 2 points in NY and will transfer as 2 onto your NJ license. If you have no other convictions or accidents, then it alone will not likely affect your insurance rates.
You can fight it but these tickets are tough to beat in NYC because the NYC traffic courts do not engage in plea bargaining.
Matthew Weiss
hi i was signaling from the right lane to merge into the middle lane which is a left turn lane on Lincoln ave and hylan blvd on staten island 10306 and right before the intersection nobody let me in until just inside the intersection after the crosswalk someone let me in and i was already merged in the turn lane when i made the turn but there was a cop car at the red light to the right and pulled me over and gave me 2 tickets 1 for improper turn and 1 for disobeying traffic device.
Do i have chance ?
ERBLIN BARDHI,
Nothing which you’ve written suggests to me that you will win this case. Plus winning any case in Staten Island is near impossible.
Matthew Weiss
Hi,
I made a left from a center lane in a two way street and was pulled over. This was in The Bronx near West Farms and East Tremont.
The left lane said left only however the middle and right lane did not indicate if it was straight only or turn. Given that I was in the middle lane and turned left along with the other vehicles turning left, what can I do to win this, if possible?
In addition, on the ticket the officer wrote car color black when in reality the color is blue. This was around 7:45pm, when the sun is still out. Is there a possibility of dismissal / can I use this incorrect info to my advantage ?
Rhan,
You may not turn from a center lane in New York (unless there are pavement markings specifically authorizing such a maneuver).
The wrong color is not a great defense and does not render your ticket fatally defective.
Matthew Weiss
Is this still worth fighting or do I have ok chance ?
Also, what does 1160(b) mean in plain terms? That’s the VTL I was given. From what I read in your post, 1160(c) is the charge that you violate if you turn left from a lane other than the left? The description says “left turn improper 12 way road”. Not entirely sure what the PO is narrating? Thank you again for your help.
Fharhan Rahman,
The police officer is narrating that you allegedly made an improper left turn from or to a one-way street.
Matthew Weiss
Reading that “backed up” traffic is not a sufficient obstacle. I had to make a right turn onto Madison Ave from 96th St in NYC but the backup was all the way to the intersection and actually blocking the box (no NYPD there to handle it)
The reason it was so backed up was specifically due to NYPD located on 97th St playing gotcha with cars turning from 2nd-to-left-most lane.
No cars in left lane, having waited for many minutes, would let anyone merge between 96th and 97th. So essentially the NYPD activity made it completely impossible to get into the left-most lane.
Also I was following a silver sedan which was not pulled over, and the following week making the same turn from left lane witnessed NYPD van without lights or cause make the exact same turn while the NYPD driver held a cell phone to his ear.
In this case NYPD created a situation which then forced drivers turning from 96th to remain in 2nd-to-left lane…and I’m guessing none of this will spare me from getting nailed in court today.
To clarify scenario after turning right onto Madison, needed to make left turn onto 97th where officers were waiting and causing backup by having drivers pull over blocking a lane on 97th.
It was simply not possible to obey the left lane/left turn law specifically due to NYPD actions…they created a situation which guaranteed drivers in my position had no option to be in the left lane.
Alan David,
The NYPD enforcement activities at a nearby intersection is not a valid defense to a blocking the box ticket in New York State.
Matthew Weiss
Hi, I got a ticket for “Lane change: failure to signal(v 1163D) on the triboro bridge, NY. I did a lane change from the second lane to third lane(I was behind the officer. there are 4 lanes). I did another lane change like 100 meters after to the far left lane. Right after that, officer stopped me and said i didnt use my blinker. I USED my blinker on both lane changes. My car has a 1 tap, 3 blink turn signal feature. I use the 3 blinks with caution as a time indicator to change lane. I didn’t argue with the officer about him being wrong.
Juan C,
Sorry to hear bout your ticket. I don’t see a question in your post but assume you want to know what to do. Your only options are to plead guilty or not guilty. If you plead not guilty, then you will be scheduled with a hearing date where yo will either win or lose (i.e., there is no plea bargaining in the NYC traffic courts).
Good luck!
Matthew Weis
Thank you for the quick response. I just wanted to know if i have a chance contesting the ticket in Court.
Hello,
I’d like to know if is possible to fight a this ticket on this case. I was coming off the tri-boro bridge trying to turn to 125th st, on the left there are 2 lanes to turn to 2nd Ave, and the right to lane to turn to 125th st. I was at left most of the 2 lane to turn to 125th st and the driver from the right got in front of me a push his way letting me almost completely on the one that goes to 2nd ave, I stop and turn to 125th when the cop came and gave me a ticket for improper turn.
Manuel Castillo,
It doesn’t sound like you have much of an excuse. Sorry.
With that said, please don’t let me discourage you from fighting your ticket. You have nothing to lose by doing so.
Matthew Weiss
Hi,
I just got 1160 A at 5th Ave and E60th st turning right.
The right lance clearly marked “Bus Lane” and I stopped at the edge of the intersection and follow the bus making the turn.
Officer said, I should drive behind the bus. But how? the bus is besides me and I can only make turns into the right lane late.
Could you please advise on how 1160A get violated and should I fight in court?
Thanks
Jacl
Jack,
You need to make a right turn from the right lane (unless there are pavement markings in another lane allowing such a maneuver). How to fight this ticket is a too open-ended question. My best advice is to plead not guilty and, at your hearing, make sure the officer shows up and make sure that he or she testifies properly.
Matthew Weiss
I was on a right turn and a taxi cab in front of me was parked. So I went around and ended up on the other lane to to make a right turn. There was also an Halal truck park on the right side I was turning, so I ended up making a wide turn. I got a ticket for that, anyway to fight that please? Do i get any points on my license for that?
Al,
This ticket for improper turn carries 2 points. I tis tough to fight it in NYC because they do not plea bargain. With that said, you have nothing to do lose by trying.
Matthew Weiss
Hi,i was making a right turn from the left lane of 65th st.in brooklyn to dahill road by the dead end of 65th st .as i should be in the left lane of dahill road to make another left turn to after 30 ft.to get my way in ave P…because i had to do that a like wide right turn because a truck in the right lane and it is short distance in dahill road like 30 ft in left lane to make a left turn in ave P,so i did at the dead end of 65th st right turn from the left lane..i got a ticket of improper turn viol.1163a….can i fight this because it is a dead end street and a truck in the right lane???
Angie,
If you can prove that the truck was parked or disabled, perhaps going around it was not an illegal turn. Otherwise, nothing which you have written is helpful in my opinion.
Matthew Weiss
Hi Matthew,
I got an improper right turn ticket by turning right from the left most lane from 57 st to Queensboro Br ramp. Four cars including me did the same thing at that time and all of us got pulled over. Should I fight for this ticket? I live in the city but I hold a Delaware license and a Delaware registration.
Gin,
If you have an otherwise clean record in NY and DE, then I would just plead guilty. This is a relatively minor ticket, it is hard to win and presumably you do not drive in NY often.
Matthew Weiss
I got pulled over last night on S. Oyster Bay Rd in Nassau County and was given tickets for improper u-turn and inadequate lights. I did make the u-turn but not entirely sure why it was illegal though I am not from the area and I got lost off the highway. The second ticket on the headlamp is total BS. My lights work fine, but depending on the setting when in park, the bulb sometimes goes off. They definitely work though. The fines I am looking at here may run close to $600. This is insane. Is there any chance they will reduce the fines when I show up in June at the court in Hempstead? I don’t really care about the two points on the u-turn. I doubt due to my age and clean record that my ins will go up much. I want reduction on the fines.
Jeremy H.,
In our extensive experience at this court (Nassau County Traffic Violations & Parking Agency), you will be able to avoid the points and reduce the total fines by appearing and accepting some type of plea bargain.
Matthew Weiss
I was cited for an improper turn and the officer explicitly told me I would not receive points. Now, approximately 1.5 months later when they finally entered my ticket into the system it says there are points associated with it. I am absolutely willing to testify to this under oath and my wife was also in the car as a witness. Will this have any bearing in court?
Gary,
No. The officer’s misstatement about whether your ticket carries points is irrelevant. The true issue is did you violate the law.
Matthew Weiss
I received a improper right turn ticket in the BX on the Bruncker Blvd service road going north by Hunts Point. To my denfense I’m from upstate New York and the last time I was on that road you were able to merge left and get on the expressway. Since then they changed the rules so from the service road you can only turn right or go straight and get on the Sheridan Expressway I didn’t want to get on that expressway so I made the right turn on to Hunts Point going East. The cops were in the left lane on Hunts Point going West about 4 cars away from the light. I didn’t see me make the right turn but the did see me in the left lane and the only way I could have ended up in the left lane was if I made the right turn from the left lane. They made a u turn and pulled me over and gave me a ticket. Should I fight this ticket or just pay the fine?
Joe Poe,
This ticket is tough to beat because there is no plea barging of traffic tickets in New York City. If you have an otherwise clean record, I would just pay this one.
Matthew Weiss
From the above can I assume if the vehicle in front of me (left lane) with their right turn signal on changes their mind and goes straight leaving me “blocking the box” and I turn right to avoid blocking 6th Avenue that is still an improper turn and not worth fighting for a NJ driver?
Michael Etzrodt,
It is illegal to make a right turn from the left lane. Another driver’s illegal turn does not allow you to also make an illegal turn.
Matthew Weiss
I was driving on Tremont Ave in the Bronx I was waiting to make a right turn onto Webster have. 1 car ahead of me stopped suddenly. He put hisome blinkers on making me go around him. The officer sitting on the side didn’t witness this, he only seen me getting out of the middle lane to make a right. Would I be able to fight this. Thanks
Allen R,
You likely will lose because the officer did not apparently see the other vehicle with his blinkers on. With that said, you have nothing to lose by fighting this case. Good luck.
Matthew Weiss
Allan R,
Almost the same thing happened to me. A bus blocked the officer’s view and all he saw was me turning from the middle lane. (It was complicated by bumper-to-bumper traffic.) Did you fight it? What was the end result?
Thanks
Doug
Hi … in Brooklyn, I was given a summons for making an illegal left turn, coming off the Manhattan Bridge, on to Tillary St. I was behind another car, who was behind a bus. It appears that only the bus can make this turn. The car in front of me was not stopped, but I and and the mini van behind me, who also made the left turn were. I’m confused because I was in the proper lane and the light displayed a green left arrow to proceed. Obviously, I wasn’t paying attention to the correct signs. Although I would just like to pay the fine, I would like to avoid receiving points. How can I avoid receiving the points? I’ve never had points before.
Tanya,
In NYC, the only way to avoid points from a traffic ticket is by pleading not guilty and beating your case at the hearing.
Matthew Weiss
If one pleads guilty to an improper turn ticket, when would 2 points show up on the record: will the points be dated the date of the offence or the date of pleading guilty? And how long do they stay on the record? Thank you.
James,
Points remain on your record for 18 months for DMV purposes and, once your convicted, the points count retroactively to the date of offense.
Matthew Weiss
I got a ticket for improper ‘right’ turn in upper manhattan as I made a right turn from the center lane. However to my defense, I recently moved to Nyc from CT and the center lane had no sign marked. The first lane (left most) had a ‘straight only’ sign marked with white paint on the road surface & the third lane (right most) had a ‘right only’ sign marked whereas the center lane had none. I realize that per the rule, I should have used the rightmost lane. However, given this situation, is there a chance I’d be able to fight the ticket? Please advise. Thanks.
Nimish Patil,
You may not turn from a center lane in New York State unless there are pavement markings authorizing such a turn. Otherwise, no markings are needed to restrict such improper turns. With that said, there are other ways to fight this case. However, if you have an otherwise clean record in New York, then it probably not worth fighting. Further, a NY conviction will not transfer as points onto your CT license.
Matthew Weiss
What is a improper LEFT TURN-2 WAY?
L.reid,
The phrase “improper LEFT TURN-2 WAY” means that you are being charged with making an illegal left turn from a two-way street to a two-way street. In such instances, you need to stay just to the left of the center line from and to your turn.
Matthew Weiss
This traffic offense called the ” move over” is nothing more than a money making scheme for New York State praying on innocent people who didn’t do anything wrong issuing them a ticket basically they can’t find it and less they pay for an attorney and that’s expensive so either way you lose. I have read countless numbers of comments from people who got the same ticket and maybe 50% of them were innocent . For me I had to pay because I couldn’t go to New York which is four hours for me and I couldn’t afford an attorney and I didn’t do anything wrong it was raining I slow down that was bumper-to-bumper traffic but yet I still got the ticket . It’s a shame that certain cops are power greedy.
Joan Doolittle,
I’m sorry to hear about your experience. Sadly, this law is often used to “catch” motorists rather than other legitimate purposes.
Matthew Weiss