How to Do a 3 Point Turn (Step-by-Step) | Zutobi Drivers Ed (2024)

How to Do a 3 Point Turn (Step-by-Step) | Zutobi Drivers Ed (1)

by Zutobi · Updated May 03, 2023

There are few things more annoying and time-consuming than driving on a road in the wrong direction but finding no available side-streets to use to change direction. Luckily, there is a basic maneuver called the 3-point turn that is used if you need to turn your car around in a tight space.

What is a 3 Point Turn?

The three-point turn is the turn-of-choice when you need to turn around on a road that is too narrow for you to make a U-turn. In addition, it is also a requirement for the driver’s license examination in many states.

This means new drivers must know how to perform a three-point turn to get their license, and licensed drivers should know how to perform the maneuver due to how useful it actually is.

The three-point turn enables you to turn on a narrow road by turning the steering wheel and moving your vehicle three times (which is where the “three” in the name comes from).

We’ll go through all the details in our simple Step-by-Step Guide below.

How to Do a 3 Point Turn (Step-by-Step) | Zutobi Drivers Ed (2)

A 3 point turn

If you prefer watching a video when learning, we’ve created a video lesson with driving instructor Jacqueline about how to make 3-point turns & U-turns.

A Step-by-Step Guide on How To Do a 3-Point Turn

You need to continuously look for traffic while performing a three-point turn due to how long it takes to complete. Follow these simple steps.

  1. Pull over to the right side of the road and wait until traffic is clear
  2. Turn the steering wheel to the left, then turn left across the road
  3. Turn the steering wheel to the right, then reverse
  4. Turn the steering wheel left, then straighten up and move into the correct lane

Step #1 – pull over to the right side of the road and wait until traffic is clear

How to Do a 3 Point Turn (Step-by-Step) | Zutobi Drivers Ed (3)

Before you begin the maneuver, you should first signal and pull over to the right side of the road. Stay on the side of the road until traffic is clear and you have plenty of room in both directions to perform the 3-point turn.

But just as importantly, you start from the far right side of the road to get as much use of the road as possible as you maneuver your vehicle.

Step #2 – turn the steering wheel to the left, then turn left across the road

How to Do a 3 Point Turn (Step-by-Step) | Zutobi Drivers Ed (4)

After waiting for a safe gap in traffic, you want to signal left and turn the steering wheel all the way to the left. Turning the steering wheel all the way will enable you to get out the maximum change in direction from the turn. Then turn left across the road all the way to the curb on the opposite side of the road.

Step #3 – turn the steering wheel to the right, then reverse

How to Do a 3 Point Turn (Step-by-Step) | Zutobi Drivers Ed (5)

The next step is to turn the steering wheel all the way to the right. Once you have turned the wheel all the way to the right, reverse until you reach the curb.

Step #4 – turn the steering wheel left, then straighten up and move into the correct lane

How to Do a 3 Point Turn (Step-by-Step) | Zutobi Drivers Ed (6)

After you have reversed into the curb, you will be situated on the wrong side of the road. To get back into the proper lane, simply turn the steering wheel once more to the left and straighten your vehicle up by driving forward and moving into the correct lane.

When Should You Do a Three-Point Turn?

A 3-point turn takes more time than traditional turns and you need plenty of space in both directions to perform the turn safely. As many roads are too busy to provide you this amount of space, you need to take other traffic into consideration before you begin the turn. You should not perform a 3-point turn if the turn will disrupt the traffic flow or it is unsafe.

On any road with a steady flow of traffic, it may be smarter to do a U-turn or drive around-the-block rather than waiting around to do a 3 point turn.

Doing a Three-Point Turn on the Driving Test

Here are 5 tips to successfully complete a three-point turn on the driving test:

  1. Practice on empty roads
  2. Take your time and do not force the turn
  3. Turn the steering wheels all the way for each step (or 3 steps won’t be enough)
  4. Continuously look for traffic in your mirrors
  5. If you can find an easier solution (like a U-turn), use it instead

If you need additional tips and tricks, simply select your state on the Zutobi Drivers Ed website and learn everything you need to pass the driving test and the written test.

How to Do a 3 Point Turn (Step-by-Step) | Zutobi Drivers Ed (2024)

FAQs

How to Do a 3 Point Turn (Step-by-Step) | Zutobi Drivers Ed? ›

The Basic steps to make a three-point turn are: Start at the right edge of the road, and turn sharply left. Stop at the left edge of the road. Then back up with your wheels turned sharply to the right.

What are the basic steps to make a three-point turn quizlet? ›

The Basic steps to make a three-point turn are: Start at the right edge of the road, and turn sharply left. Stop at the left edge of the road. Then back up with your wheels turned sharply to the right.

Do you still do a 3 point turn? ›

THIS MANOEUVRE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE DRIVING TEST.

Often called the 3 point turn, but officially called Turn in the Road. However, turning around in the road is a very useful tool for drivers to learn, and will certainly be required whilst driving at some point.

How to do two point and three-point turn? ›

Whereas a 3-Point turn is performed by pulling head-first into a driveway on the left, a 2-Point turn is performed by reversing into a driveway on your right. As you would imagine, there are only two movements involved: you back into a driveway and then pull forward out of the driveway.

How do you use three-point turn in a sentence? ›

At the large, round basin, barges were carefully manoeuvred for a three-point turn. These manoeuvres will replace the three-point turn or reversing round a corner. AN ancient monument as old as Stonehenge has been flattened by a blundering driver doing a three-point turn.

What is dry steering in a three-point turn? ›

Dry steering is the act of turning the steering wheel while the vehicle is stationary. The most common occasions for my clients to dry steer is during the Three Point Turn (The official termanoligy is Turnaround). If performed during a driving test, dry steering is marked as a non-critical driving error.

What are the 5 steps to completing a turn? ›

Here are the five steps for making a three-point turn:
  1. Signal and pull over to the right side of the road.
  2. Signal left and wait until clear of traffic.
  3. When clear of traffic and safe to turn, turn left across the road all the way to the curb.
  4. Turn the steering wheel all the way to the right, and then reverse to the curb.
May 3, 2023

What are the steps for turning? ›

Quick Re-Cap
  1. As you prepare to turn, reduce speed and stay as far to the right as possible. ...
  2. Give turn signal.
  3. Yield to pedestrians who may be crossing your path. ...
  4. Avoid making wide, sweeping turns in the other lane.

Do you have to do a 3 point turn in your driving test in PA? ›

The examiner will ask you to parallel park and make a 3-point turn before heading out to the road for the remainder of the test. When leaving the DMV parking lot, many locations have a stop sign before you can exit onto the road.

What is the last step when completing a three-point turn? ›

Check for approaching vehicles once more. Shift your car back into forward and steer left so that you begin driving in the lane opposite of the one you started in. This is the third point and the conclusion of the three point turn driving maneuver.

What are the four steps of stopping the car? ›

Braking in an automatic car
  • Plan where you want to stop.
  • Check your mirrors and indicate if appropriate.
  • Ease up on the accelerator.
  • Press down on the brake pedal gently.
  • Press down on the brake more firmly if required.
  • Come to a stop.
  • Place the gear stick in neutral if you are done with driving.
Mar 28, 2022

Do you have to do a 3 point turn in your driving test in Arizona? ›

The Arizona Motor Vehicle division modified the Road test by getting rid of the Parallel park and 3 point turn.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Tyson Zemlak

Last Updated:

Views: 6482

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tyson Zemlak

Birthday: 1992-03-17

Address: Apt. 662 96191 Quigley Dam, Kubview, MA 42013

Phone: +441678032891

Job: Community-Services Orchestrator

Hobby: Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Metalworking, Fashion, Vehicle restoration, Shopping, Photography

Introduction: My name is Tyson Zemlak, I am a excited, light, sparkling, super, open, fair, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.