How Far Before a Turn Can You Enter a Bike Lane in California?

The handbook's list for sharing the road with bicyclists says to enter a bike lane no more than 200 feet before starting a turn. The right turn steps repeat it: you can drive in a bike lane within 200 feet of the turn, after checking your blind spots for bicyclists.

Expect this one when a question pairs a right turn with a bike lane. Moving over early, a block or more back, is the wrong answer. So is staying out of the bike lane entirely.

Merge toward the curb or into the bike lane only when it is safe, and if a bicyclist is already there, merge behind them. For a right turn, the handbook also says to start signaling about 100 feet before you turn.

Source: California Driver's Handbook (2025), page 48. Read the handbook ↗