Three-point turn explained

The three-point turn (sometimes called a Y-turn, K-turn, or broken U-turn) is the standard method of turning a vehicle around to face the opposite direction in a limited space, using forward and reverse gears. This is typically done when the road is too narrow for a U-turn.This manoeuvre is a common requirement in driving tests.

Process

The basic manoeuvre consists of driving across the road turning towards the offside kerb, reversing across the road to the original nearside kerb while turning, and driving forward towards the original offside kerb, now the nearside. In a narrow road or with a longer vehicle, more than three legs may be required to achieve a full 180 degree rotation.

Naming

"Three point turn" is the most common name in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and in many regions of the United States.^{[1] [2] [3] [4]} Less common terms are: "Y-turn", "K-turn",^[5] and Broken U-turn^[6] but in the UK, the official name is "Turning in the road (using forward and reverse gears)",^[7] and in Ireland it is called a "turnabout",^[8] because an acceptable turn may include more than three points.

References

• Book: CITEREFDfT1991. Driving. Department for Transport. Department for Transport. HMSO. 1991. 978-0-11-550355-9.
• Web site: CITEREFMTO2009. The Official MTO Driver's Handbook. Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. Ministry of Transportation of Ontario. Three-Point Turn. 2009.
• Web site: CITEREFvicroads2012. Vicroads, How your driving is assessed. 16 March 2012. 29 March 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150329040924/https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Licences/GetYourPs/PreparingForYourLicenceTest/TheDriveTest/HowYourDrivingIsAssessed.htm. dead.
• Web site: CITEREFwiscroads2012. Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Class D road test study guide.

Further reading

• Book: The official DSA guide to driving: the essential skills. Driving Standards Agency. Driving Standards Agency. 7th. The Stationery Office. 2010. 978-0-11-553134-7. Turning in the Road. 192 - 193.

Notes and References

1. NZTA Road Code: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/driving-skill-syllabus/lesson-18.html
2. [New York State Department of Motor Vehicles]
3. [Arizona Department of Transportation]
4. [North Carolina Department of Transportation]
5. Moore, Greg. "School district sued over fatal crash" (News release). Idaho Transportation Department, 5 October 2011. Retrieved on 20 July 2013.
6. Mallozzi, Vincent M. "Now, Don't Hit That Cone". New York Times, 11 September 2005. Retrieved on 20 July 2013.
7. https://www.gov.uk/adi-part-2-test/what-happens-during-the-test "Driving and transport: Teaching people to drive"
8. https://www.rsa.ie/docs/default-source/services/s1.8-learner-driver-resources/rules-of-the-road-2020.pdf "Rules of the Road"