You may make a U-turn on any road where it is not prohibited. While making a U-turn, you must give way to all other traffic. You may never make a U-turn on a motorway or an expressway.
Making a U-turn is a special manoeuvre. This means you do not have priority at any point during the manoeuvre. You therefore need to pay extra attention to other traffic before you start and while you are making the U-turn.
Making a U-Turn Is a Special Manoeuvre
When performing a special manoeuvre, you never have priority. You must give way to all other traffic. This applies not only to cars, but also to cyclists, pedestrians and traffic approaching from the right.
This obligation applies throughout the entire manoeuvre. If you are halfway through the U-turn and your vehicle is positioned across the road, you must still give way to all other traffic.
That is why you should always choose a location where you have sufficient visibility. A quiet, clear stretch of road is safer than a location with plenty of space but poor visibility.
Where Can You Never Make a U-Turn?
Making a U-turn is prohibited on certain roads and in certain situations. You may not make a U-turn:
- on a motorway, including the hard shoulder or verge;
- on an expressway;
- where sign F7, the no U-turn sign, is displayed;
- if you would have to cross a solid line to do so;
- where signs or road arrows indicate a mandatory direction of travel.
The prohibition on making U-turns on motorways and expressways is set out in Article 43 of the RVV 1990. Reversing is also prohibited on these roads.
Have you missed your exit on the motorway? Never turn around. Even in a traffic jam or when traffic is stationary, making a U-turn remains prohibited. Continue driving and take the next exit.
Can You Make a U-Turn at an Intersection?
Yes, making a U-turn at an intersection is not automatically prohibited. You may make a U-turn there as long as traffic signs, traffic lights, road markings or a mandatory direction of travel do not prohibit it.
However, making a U-turn at an intersection is often not a sensible choice. Traffic may approach from several directions, and you must give way to all of it. This means you can quickly block the intersection.
Pay close attention to road arrows and traffic signs. If, for example, an arrow only allows you to continue straight ahead, you must follow that direction and cannot make a U-turn there.
Which Signs Prohibit U-Turns?
The most important traffic sign prohibiting U-turns is sign F7: no U-turn. It is a circular sign with a red border and a black arrow that curves back on itself. The prohibition applies to all motor vehicles, including motorcycles.
Mandatory direction signs from the D series can also mean that you cannot make a U-turn. These signs indicate which direction you must follow. If, for example, you are required to continue straight ahead, you cannot make a U-turn without ignoring the mandatory direction.
The same applies to arrows painted on the road. If there is a straight-ahead arrow in your lane, you must continue straight ahead.
U-Turns and Solid Lines
You may not cross a solid line. If the only way to make a U-turn is by crossing a solid line in the centre of the road, you cannot make a U-turn there.
You may cross a broken line, as long as no other traffic rule prohibits it. You must still take approaching traffic and visibility into account.
With double lines, the marking on your side determines what you are allowed to do. If the line on your side is broken, you may cross it. If the line on your side is solid, you may not.
Making a U-Turn on a One-Way Street
You cannot simply turn around on a one-way street. If you make a U-turn, you would end up travelling in the opposite direction to the permitted direction of travel.
Have you taken a wrong turn onto a one-way street? Continue driving and look for a suitable place where you can legally change direction, such as an allowed side street or parking area.
Always pay attention to traffic signs and road markings. One-way streets can have exceptions, for example for cyclists.
How to Make a U-Turn Safely
If you want to make a U-turn, choose a location where you can perform the manoeuvre safely. Keep the following points in mind:
- Choose a quiet, straight stretch of road with good visibility in both directions.
- Do not make a U-turn immediately before or after a bend, intersection or the crest of a hill.
- Signal in good time and carefully check what is happening around and behind you.
- Look over your shoulder before you start.
- Wait until the road is genuinely clear and give way to all other traffic.
- If you cannot complete the U-turn in one movement, you can make it in several movements if the situation allows.
- If there is a suitable driveway or parking area nearby, use it instead to change direction safely.
Making a U-Turn During Your Practical Driving Test
Turning around is one of the special manoeuvres you may be asked to perform during the practical driving test. The examiner may, for example, ask you to turn around by making several movements or by performing a half-turn.
During this manoeuvre, the examiner mainly looks at your observation skills, vehicle control and the location you choose. Performing the manoeuvre safely is more important than completing it in a single movement.
If you cannot complete the U-turn in one movement, you may make an additional movement. Take your time to look carefully and avoid obstructing other road users.
Would you like to learn more about the practical driving test? Check out our explanation of how the CBR practical driving test works and our one-day theory course.
