Is it legal to wait in a shared left turn lane when executing a left turn from a driveway?

In Virginia, it is illegal to wait in a shared left turn lane when executing a left turn from a driveway. Shared left turn lanes are designed to facilitate smoother transitions for vehicles making left turns from the main roadway. When waiting in this lane, a driver may disrupt the flow of traffic, increase the risk of collisions, and impede other vehicles in their attempt to make a left turn or continue straight.

The regulations emphasize that these lanes are meant for the movement of traffic, thus waiting in them without engaging in an immediate turn can result in hazards for both the waiting driver and the vehicles behind. Understanding the proper use of shared left turn lanes helps maintain a safer environment for all road users and ensures traffic moves more efficiently.