U-turns and three-point turns

Three-point turns and U-turns can be tricky to do, and they're only legal in certain situations on NSW roads. Follow these rules, and tips for turning safely.

On this page

U-turns

You must not make a U-turn:

  • at intersections without traffic lights where there’s a ‘No U-turn’ sign
  • at intersections with traffic lights, unless there’s a ‘U-turn permitted’ sign
  • across a single unbroken dividing line or double unbroken dividing line
  • across double dividing lines with an unbroken line closer to you
  • on motorways and freeways.

U-turn signs

The ‘No U-turn’ sign is a regulatory sign and must be obeyed by law.

No U-turn sign
Road signs indicating you must not make a U-turn

You can make a U-turn at traffic lights where this sign is displayed.

U-turn permitted sign
Road sign indicating you can make a U-turn at traffic light

Making a U-turn

When making a U-turn, you must:

  • have a clear view of approaching traffic
  • start your U-turn from the marked lane nearest to the centre of the road
  • start your U-turn to the left of the centre of the road if there are no lane markings
  • make the turn without obstructing traffic
  • give way to vehicles and pedestrians
  • indicate before you start to turn.

After you turn, check your mirrors and blind spots again, indicate, and only pull out when it’s clear and safe.

Three-point turns

You can do a three-point turn when a road is not wide enough to do a U-turn. It’s called a three-point turn because you usually need to do at least three turns to face the opposite direction.

A three-point turn generally takes longer to do than a U-turn. When you’re in heavy traffic or on a busy road, it’s safer to drive around the block or use a roundabout to turn around.

Three-point turn
A three-point turn usually involves at least three turns

U-turns road safety video

 

Road rules: u-turns

Revise rules on doing u-turns in this short Transport video animation.

Read transcript
Video transcript

Road rules: u-turns

U-turns.

Making a u-turn.
When making a u-turn, you must have a clear view of any approaching traffic, and be able to make the turn without unreasonably obstructing the free movement of traffic. You must also give way to all vehicles and pedestrians.

You are not allowed to make a u-turn when, a no u-turn sign is displayed, across a single continuous dividing line, across a single continuous dividing line to the left of a broken line, across two parallel continuous dividing lines.

U-turns at traffic lights.
You must not make a u-turn at traffic lights unless there is a u-turn permitted sign displayed.

Top of page