What You Should Always Do Before Making a U-turn: A Beginner Driver’s Guide
Let’s break it down. Here’s what you should always do before attempting a U-turn.
1. Check road signs and markings
This is your first and most important step.
Before even considering a U-turn, you must check road signs and road markings to make sure that U-turns are permitted in that location.
Look out for:
- No U-turn signs (usually a red circle with a U-turn symbol and a line through it)
- Solid white lines in the centre of the road (crossing these can be illegal)
- Pedestrian crossings or traffic islands ahead — both are red flags
Remember: just because the road looks empty doesn’t mean a U-turn is allowed.
2. Check all around — and don’t forget the blind spots
Once you're sure a U-turn is permitted, it's time to check your surroundings thoroughly.
Use your mirrors: rear-view and side mirrors
Look over your shoulder for a final check — this is the correct answer to the official driving test question.
According to the Highway Code:
If you have to make a U-turn, slow down and ensure that the road is clear in both directions. Make sure that the road is wide enough for you to carry out the manoeuvre safely. Use your mirrors and look round to check it's safe before turning across the road.
This final shoulder check ensures that there are no vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians in your blind spot — a detail often missed if you rely only on your mirrors.
3. Signal your intentions clearly
Always use your indicators to show you’re about to turn.
If visibility is poor, or if you're doing your test and want to go the extra mile, you can also use an arm signal. It's not mandatory in most cases, but it helps communicate your actions to others more clearly.
Signalling properly isn’t just polite — it’s part of your driving test evaluation. The examiner will be watching!
4. Choose the right gear — and it’s not a higher one
Some learners mistakenly think that a higher gear gives them more power for the turn.
But actually, you should select a lower gear (usually first gear in manual cars) to give you better control and precision during the turn.
U-turns are usually performed at low speed, and precision matters much more than speed.
5. Look again before you go
Even if you’ve already checked — check again right before making the turn.
Road situations can change in a matter of seconds. A car could appear, a pedestrian might step off the kerb, or a cyclist could come up behind you.
This “final glance” is what separates confident drivers from careless ones.
Bonus tips for safe U-turns
- Avoid busy roads or peak hours when possible.
- Practise U-turns in quiet areas before trying them in traffic.
- In tight spaces, consider using a three-point turn instead.
Remember that you are responsible for making the turn safely — even if others are impatient.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Making a U-turn where it’s not allowed
- Forgetting to signal
- Failing to check all directions
- Turning too wide and ending up in the wrong lane
- Going too fast and losing control
Each of these could lead to dangerous situations — or immediate failure on your driving test.
U-turns aren’t difficult once you know the steps — but they demand care, attention, and good judgement.
If you always check the road markings, signal properly, look over your shoulder, and go slow and steady, you’ll stay safe — and confident.
So next time you need to double back, you’ll know exactly what to do before making a U-turn — and you’ll do it like a pro.
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