Turning about (the turn in the road)

By the end of this topic you can

• You can choose a safe, legal place to turn the car around.
• You can turn the car to face the other way using forward and reverse gears.
• You can control the car at a crawl and stop before touching the kerb.
• You can check all round before each change of direction.
• You can give way to any road user who arrives while you are turning.

What you need to know and understand

• The turnabout is one of the set manoeuvres on the Irish car driving test, along with the reverse around a corner and the hill start.
• On the test the tester tells you that you may go over and back more than once if you need to.
• Turning the steering wheel while the car is stopped is not recorded as a fault in the turnabout on the test.
• If you refuse to attempt the turnabout on the test, the test is stopped and no result is issued.
• You must not turn where signs or markings prohibit it, or where you would put others at risk.
• On a slope you may need the handbrake to stop the car rolling between moves.

Picking the right spot

Choose a fairly quiet road where you can see well in both directions. Avoid bends, the brow of a hill, junctions, busy roads and places with a continuous white line. If you cannot see far enough to be sure you will not be caught across the road, find somewhere else, or drive around a block instead.

The turnabout in seven moves

1. Pull in on the left and stop. Check mirrors and both blind spots before you move off.
2. Move forward slowly and steer briskly to full right lock.
3. Before you reach the far kerb, steer briskly to the left and stop without touching the kerb. Use the handbrake if the road slopes.
4. Select reverse and check all round, including over your left shoulder, which is now where traffic and pedestrians may appear behind you.
5. Reverse slowly, steering to full left lock and looking mainly in the direction you are travelling. Steer back to the right as you approach the kerb.
6. Stop short of the kerb, secure the car if needed, and check all round again.
7. Move forward, straighten up and continue on the left side of the road.

Handling traffic during the turn

Traffic may arrive while you are across the road. Stop, let them decide what to do, and only carry on when they have passed or clearly waited for you. Never rush to finish a move because someone is coming. A pause for traffic is good driving, not a fault.

If the road is narrow and you need extra moves, that is fine. Keep each move slow and repeat your all-round checks each time you change direction.

Common mistakes

• Touching or mounting the kerb. Go slowly and steer early so you stop with room to spare.
• Checking only once at the start. Check all round before every change of direction.
• Letting the car roll on a camber or slope. Use the handbrake between moves if needed.
• Hurrying when a car appears. Stop and wait, then carry on.
• Steering too late. Turn the wheel briskly while the car is moving slowly.

Test yourself: Turning about (the turn in the road)

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.