What is a three-point turn?
When a road isn’t wide enough to make a U-turn, a three-point turn is the standard way to turn around. This method is tested in all driving exams and is an essential maneuver for all drivers. You’ll need to be able to drive forwards and backward and know how to use all your mirrors and blind spots.
Before practicing a three-point turn as a beginner driver, try to find a space where the ground is even, and where you can see for about 164 feet in both directions. Quiet or empty parking lots can also work well as a safe location.
We’ve compiled a step-by-step guide to performing this move so that you know what you’re doing when you practice, and so that you can ace this part of your test.
How to Do a Three-Point Turn: Step-By-Step
1. Pull over 30 centimeters away from the curb, in a place where you can see oncoming traffic from both directions.
2. Indicate right for three seconds or more.
3. Check your rear-view mirror, side mirror, and blind spot on your right-hand side.
4. Turn your wheel fully to the right.
5. Check your surroundings again for cars and pedestrians.
5. Move forward to the right.
6. Turn your wheel completely to the left.
7. Complete all checks again, in both directions.
8. Indicate to the left.
9. Turn your wheel completely to the left.
10. Check your surroundings again.
11. Reverse to the left slowly.
12. You should now be facing in the opposite direction from where you started. Check your surroundings once more before moving off again.
Three Point Turn: Things to Remember
Remember, three-point turns should be avoided where possible, as they take up a lot of road space – they travel over both lanes, meaning they may briefly obscure oncoming traffic.
In real-life situations while on the road, utilize a u-turn where the road is wide enough to do so, as this is quicker than a three-point turn.
Turning in the manner of a three-point-turn may actually require more than three turns, making it take even longer (and then having more chance of encountering traffic as time passes).
If traffic begins to approach slowly while you’re completing the turn, don’t rush – doing the turn carefully and step by step while doing numerous checks is essential to the safety of your loved ones and others on the roads. Drivers should be patient and understanding, and if they aren’t, don’t let them bother you!
Three-point turn driving test
When performing a three-point turn during your driving test, make sure that you complete all the checks according to the official defensive driving techniques.
If you happen to be on the over-confident side of things, remember not to let your guard down with procedures that seem to be simpler than parallel parking, such as three-point turns or reverse parking.
PS: If you struggle with parallel parking, make sure to take a look at the articles below:
- Parallel Parking Guide: Learn How to Parallel Park
- Parallel Parking DMV Test Rules For PA
Ace your test with the help of a professional driving instructor
Every bit of help increases your chance of passing your driving exam
Driven2Drive is a premier driving school and the leader in Driver’s Education. From our dedicated team of instructors to our innovative state-of-the-art Driving & License Testing Centers, we are committed to instilling safe driving habits for life in a fun and interactive atmosphere. Experience the Driven2Drive difference at any of our conveniently located centers.
