CH1 L Startup procedures

40. The three-point turn

Every motorist has had the experience of turning in error into a narrow street, which turned out to be a No-Through-Road. Turning the vehicle around using a driveway, common practice, is against the law in some places. A turn which includes reversing in the only other option. Here's how:

Stop the vehicle at an appropriate place, one with clear visibility. Do not do it ...

... near a bend in the road

... near the crest of a hill

... in a no standing area, bus stops or a driveway

... avoid having to reverse near posts or trees. (See picture below)

After having selected a suitable place, give a left signal and stop at the kerb-side.

Give way to all traffic before commencing the turn. REMEMBER, turning around may take a while, so allow plenty of safety margin.

The 8-steps of the Three-point Turn:

1. Check mirrors, indicate right check shoulder, move off when safe.	This step is a basic procedure, every time before pulling away from the kerb (or changing lanes).
2. While slowly moving forward, turn the steering wheel quickly to full right lock. (Full lock’ means turning the wheel as far as it goes, without forcing it, especially a vehicle with power-steering.)	Never turn the steering wheel while the vehicle is stationary.
3. Just before reaching the kerb at the other side turn the wheel to full left lock, if possible. Note the way the wheel is facing > The further the wheel has been turned in this direction, the less space is required to complete the turn.
4. Stop! Check the road again in both directions.	If traffic approaches, use common sense. Most times drivers will wait. If they don't - You must give way!
5. Look behind before moving and while you reverse slowly.	If you did not manage full left lock at step 3, complete full left lock now (as is the case in the video below).
6. As you approach the other kerb, approx 1 meter before, turn the steering wheel back to the right, while still moving very slowly. Had this driver turned a few meters further on, the tree would not have become an issue. >>>
7. Stop! Check the road again in both direction	Traffic may or may not stop for you. Cyclists take very little space to move through and you can not hear them.
8. Complete the turn when safe.	Stay left after turning.

During a three-point-turn, or any other slow speed manoeuvre, consider the 'landscape'. Seldom is a road totally flat. The road surface may be tilted (cambered) or raised in the centre (the crown of the road) and fall away toward the edges. This is to allow water to run off in heavy rain.

Picture: civileblog.com

At steps 2 and 5, in most cases, the vehicle has to 'climb' out of the gutter. Therefore, in a manual vehicle especially, use the handbrake and apply extra power. Halfway across the road, as the vehicle moves over the crown of the road, the vehicle will gather speed.

At this point, press down the clutch and start to apply brake pressure. The amount of pressure on the break will determine the (crawling) speed of the vehicle.

Note: Learners may take a few seconds to execute steps 1, 4 and 7. Be cautious throughout this manoeuvre. Not every driver or cyclist may wait for you to complete your 3-point turn.

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Our information could vary in your part of the world. We recommend you use above information in conjunction with a professional driving instructor.