COMPLETE DRIVING TUTORIAL

41. THE THREE-POINT TURN

 

Every motorist has had the experience of finding themselves in a narrow street, which turned out to be a No-Through-Road. Turning the vehicle around using a driveway, a common practice, is against the law in some places. It may be necessary turn the vehicle around by including a reversing manoeuvre.

 

We call it three-point-turn, which in many jurisdictions is part of the driving test.  Here's how to do it: Stop the vehicle at an appropriate place, one with clear visibility:

 

Don't 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. (Picture below).

After having selected a suitable place, give a right signal and stop at the kerb-side. Give way to all traffic!

The 8-steps of the Three-point Turn (after stopping):

1. Check mirrors, indicate left

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 left lock. (Full lock’ means turning the wheel as far as it goes, without forcing it, especially in a vehicle with power-steering.) Never turn the steering wheel while the vehicle is stationary. It causes strain on the mechanics and cause excessive tyre wear. On a very hot bitumen surface it may also damage the roadway!     

3. Just before reaching the kerb at the other side turn the wheel to full right lock, if possible.

Note the way the wheels are facing >

The further the wheel has been turned right, 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 right lock at step 3, complete full right lock!
6. As you approach the other kerb, approx 1 meter before, turn the steering wheel back to the left, while still moving very slowly. Note the position of the front wheels!

Had this driver chosen a place a few meters further on, the tree would not have become an issue.  >>>

7. Stop! Check the road again in both directions. 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 clear. Stay right after turning.

During a three-point-turn, or any other slow speed manoeuvre, consider the 'landscape'. Seldom is a road totally flat. Most times they are tilted (cambered) or raised in the centre (a crown in 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 moments to execute steps 1, 4 and 7. Be cautious throughout this manoeuvre. Do not expect passing traffic, especially cyclists, to 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.

Road Safety by Dieter Fischer 2001 / Learner Driver Hub 2020.