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 A U-turn in driving refers to performing a 180° rotation to reverse the direction of travel. It is called a "U-turn" because the maneuver looks like the letter U. In some areas, the maneuver is illegal, while in others, it is treated as a m ...

. This manoeuvre is a common requirement in

driving test A driving test (also known as a driving exam, driver's test, or road test) is a procedure designed to test a person's ability to drive a motor vehicle. It exists in various forms worldwide, and is often a requirement to obtain a driver's lic ...

Process

The basic manoeuvre consists of driving across the road turning towards the offside curb, reversing across the road to the original nearside curb while turning, and driving forward towards the original offside curb, 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 formal name in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and in many regions of the United States. Less common terms are: ''"Y-turn"'', ''"K-turn"'', and ''Broken U-turn'' but in the UK, the official name is ''"Turning in the road (using forward and reverse gears)"'', and in Ireland it is called a ''"turnabout"'',"Rules of the Road"
(7th revision, 2019),

Road Safety Authority The Road Safety Authority (RSA; ga, Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar Bhóithre) is a state agency formed by the Irish Government to promote road safety within the Republic of Ireland. The agency has devolved control of much of the work of the D ...

because an acceptable turn may include more than three points.

Notes

References

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Process

Naming

Notes

References

Further reading