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Louisiana driving lesson · Intersections & Right-of-Way

Turning around safely

A 3-minute lesson from the Louisiana course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Intersections & Right-of-Way
Checkpoint questions
4
Source pages
71, 72, 95

Turning around in the road is risky; circling the block is better. If you must turn around on a narrow street in light traffic, pick a spot where other drivers can see you from far away, and follow the steps carefully.

500 feet

Don't turn around on a hill or curve where drivers from either direction can't see you within this distance

Handbook p. 95 ↗

Know the rule

Avoid turning around on a busy street. It's better to circle an entire city block.

Handbook p. 71 ↗

Before turning around on a narrow street:

  • Stop close to the right edge of the pavement
  • Look over your left shoulder; don't depend on the mirror alone
  • Make sure the street is clear both ahead and behind
  • Signal a left turn
Handbook p. 71 ↗

Know the rule

The three-point turnabout is the most difficult and dangerous way to turn around. Use it only when the road is too narrow for a U-turn and you can't go around the block, and only on a two-lane road.

Handbook p. 72 ↗

Three-point turnabout:

  • Check mirrors, signal right, and stop on the right side of the road
  • Signal left, check traffic and your blind spot; turn hard left to the other side and stop
  • Shift to reverse, check both sides; turn hard right, back to the other side and stop
  • Shift to drive, signal left, check traffic; turn hard left into the right lane going the new way
  • Make sure your turn signal has canceled and continue straight
Handbook p. 72 ↗
Turning around on a narrow street - step 3
Three-point turnabout: first move across the road

Put it into practice

You pass the house you're looking for on a quiet two-lane road near the top of a hill. Don't turn around there: drivers coming over the hill can't see you within 500 feet. Continue, then circle the block or turn where visibility is clear.

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.

You must not turn around on a hill or curve where drivers approaching from either direction cannot see you within:
  1. 100 feet
  2. 200 feet
  3. 1,000 feet
  4. 500 feet

Answer: 500 feet

Do not turn around on a hill or in a curve where other drivers cannot see your vehicle within 500 feet.

Handbook p. 95 ↗
How does the handbook describe the three-point turnabout?
  1. A move allowed only at intersections
  2. The most difficult and dangerous way to turn around
  3. The safest way to reverse direction
  4. The preferred turnaround on multilane roads

Answer: The most difficult and dangerous way to turn around

The three-point turnabout is the most difficult and dangerous turnabout, used only when the road is too narrow for a U-turn.

Handbook p. 72 ↗
Before turning around on a narrow street, where should you first stop?
  1. Close to the right edge of the pavement
  2. Straddling the center line of the road
  3. Close to the left edge of the pavement
  4. In the middle of your lane

Answer: Close to the right edge of the pavement

Stop close to the right edge of the pavement, check traffic over your left shoulder, then signal left.

Handbook p. 71 ↗
A three-point turnabout should only be used on a two-lane roadway.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

The handbook says this type of turn should only be used on a two-lane roadway.

Handbook p. 72 ↗
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