Three-point turn

Performing a three-point turn (shown for right-hand traffic)

The three-point turn is the formal name in Australia,^[1] Canada,^[2] New Zealand,^[3] and in many regions of the United States,^[4][5][6] and the informal name in the UK and Ireland for a driving manoeuvre commonly required in the practical part of driving tests. The UK and Irish formal name is the rather more laboriously phrased turning in the road (using forward and reverse gears). This is because an acceptable so-called "three point turn" may include more than three points.^[7]

The three-point turn is a method of reversing the direction of a vehicle when the road is too narrow for a U-turn. 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.^[2] In a narrow road or with a longer vehicle the process may have to be repeated.

The three-point turn is also known as the y-turn, k-turn,^[8] and broken u-turn.^[9] The y-turn is the official name in the state of Wisconsin.^[10]

The three-point turn is distinguished from a two-point turn (or U-turn).^{[citation needed]}

There is also the reverse three-point turn consisting of moving the vehicle in reverse into the nearside curb (or driveway), then moving the vehicle forward toward the opposite direction.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• U-turn

Notes

References

Further reading

• Driving Standards Agency (2010). "Turning in the Road". The official DSA guide to driving: the essential skills (7th ed.). The Stationery Office. pp. 192–193. ISBN 978-0-11-553134-7.