Roadwise States Colorado Driving lessons U-turns & turnabouts Colorado driving lesson · Speed, Turning & Parking
U-turns & turnabouts A 3-minute lesson from the Colorado course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Speed, Turning & Parking
Checkpoint questions 5
Source pages 16 Sometimes you need to reverse direction. The handbook describes the U-turn, two kinds of two-point turnabout using a driveway or alley, and the three-point turnabout for narrow roads.
U-turn A U-shaped turn to face the opposite direction on the same roadway.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ Know the rule
U-turns are forbidden unless they can be made without endangering others, and never where No U-turn signs are posted. If you can't do one safely, continue to the next street or turnaround area.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ Two-point turnabout Using a street, alley or driveway to reverse direction when it's not practical or possible to drive around the block.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ Reverse two-point turnabout Reverse two-point turnabout (backing into a driveway on your right): Signal right; stop and check traffic to the sides and rear Back until your rear bumper reaches the near edge of the driveway Backing slowly, steer quickly all the way right As the car centers in the driveway, straighten the wheels and stop Shift to drive, check both ways, signal and turn left into the proper lane Handbook p. 16 ↗ Forward two-point turnabout (pulling into a driveway on your left): Check mirrors, signal left, move close to the center of the road Turn into the driveway or alley as near its right side as possible Stop when your rear clears the curb or driveway edge Check all directions, signal right, shift to reverse Back slowly, steering quickly all the way right; straighten and stop Shift to drive, cancel the signal and move forward Handbook p. 16 ↗ Know the rule
Use a three-point turnabout only on a two-lane roadway, when it's too narrow for a U-turn and you can't go around the block or use a two-point turn.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ Three-point turnabout, step 3 Three-point turnabout: Signal right and stop on the right side of the road Signal left at least 200 feet or 3 seconds before; check traffic and blind spots When clear, turn hard left across; stop at the other side Check both ways, turn the wheel sharply right and reverse across; stop Drive, signal left, check, then turn sharply left into the right lane Make sure your signal has canceled and continue straight Handbook p. 16 ↗ Put it into practice
You miss a turn on a quiet two-lane road with no side streets nearby, and it's too narrow for a U-turn. A three-point turnabout is the right choice, but only once you've checked that traffic is clear in both directions.
A useful reminder Three-point turnabouts are for two-lane roads only, never four-lane highways.
Check your understanding Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
A three-point turnabout should only be performed on what type of roadway? A freeway on-ramp A four-lane divided highway A two-lane roadway A one-way street Answer: A two-lane roadway
The handbook specifies that a three-point turnabout should only be used on a two-lane roadway.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ Before beginning a three-point turnabout, how far before the turn should you activate your left turn signal? Immediately before turning At least 200 feet, or a minimum of 3 seconds At least 50 feet At least 500 feet Answer: At least 200 feet, or a minimum of 3 seconds
Activate your left turn signal at least 200 feet before the turn, or a minimum of three seconds, then check traffic and blind spots.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ During a reverse two-point turnabout, what should you do as your vehicle centers in the driveway? Continue turning until fully in the driveway Steer left immediately Straighten the wheels and stop Accelerate forward without stopping Answer: Straighten the wheels and stop
As your vehicle centers in the driveway during the reverse two-point turnabout, straighten the wheels and stop before shifting to drive.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ Under what condition are U-turns forbidden in Colorado, aside from posted No U-turn signs? When they would endanger other motorists On any road with a speed limit above 25 mph Whenever there is more than one lane Whenever another vehicle is visible Answer: When they would endanger other motorists
U-turns are forbidden unless they can be made without endangering other motorists and their passengers.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ A three-point turnabout may be performed on any roadway, including four-lane highways. True False Answer: False
A three-point turnabout should only be used on a two-lane roadway.
Handbook p. 16 ↗ Previous lesson Signaling & turning correctly Next lesson Parking rules More in Speed, Turning & Parking About the source Roadwise’s Colorado course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 16. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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