Turn in the Road

SuperDriver Learning Centre - Turn in the Road

Manoeuvres - Turn in the Road


The Turn in the Road has not been a test manoeuvre since December 2017.  But, if you go the wrong way on your test or when you are driving post test, how will you turn the car around safely on no through roads?  On your driving test you will be expected to turn the car around safely on you own just like you would post test if you go the wrong way.

Oh no... you have gone the wrong way.  This manoeuvre will help you turn the car around safely.  In some situations, you may need to drive over a lowered kerb if the road is particularly narrow.  For this example, we will presume the road is wide enough to complete the manoeuvre in 3 moves - a 3 point turn.

 

Position 1.  The starting position should be in a safe place parked on the left. 


Start by assessing the situation, high kerbs, street signs, pedestrians and camber.  When you feel it is safe to go forward, start your POM (Prepare, Observations, Move Off) routine.  Make sure you are in first gear (or D).


As you move off keep the car slow and steer quickly to the right until it won't steer anymore.  Look left and right as you move across the road, you may need to stop.


The first image will help you find the kerb.  The door mirror looks like it has gone passed the kerb by a couple of feet.  This may mean the cars wheels are about a foot from the kerb.  You need to check this reference point works for you.  You can do this by lowering your window and looking out of the window to see where your front offside wheel is.  Remember, if your wheel is a foot from the kerb, it means the front of your car is over the kerb.  This could be important if you have a high kerb as of course this means you will hit it. 


When you are happy you have moved forward enough, stop. 

Position 2.  Now you need to reverse.  Start your POM routine once again making sure you selected reverse.  If it is safe to move off reverse slowly steering quickly to the left.  As you reverse you should look over your left shoulder, when you have finished steering change your view to your right shoulder.


The second image will help you stop before you hit the kerb.  The second image shows the driver's door and if you look to your right you will see the kerb meeting the corner of the window.  When they meet, stop.  You need to check this reference point works for you.  You can do this by lowering your window and looking out of the window to see where your offside rear wheel is.   You may need to alter your reference point.  Now you have stopped.

 

Position 3.  You are almost turned around.  Now you need to start your POM routine again making sure you selected first gear (or D) .  If it is clear, set off slowly steering quickly to the right. 


There is no necessity to stop at position 4 unless it is unsafe for you to continue.  Drive away and continue to your destination.

 

WHAT TO DO IF A VEHICLE COMES AND YOU ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS MANOEUVRE?

 

If there is room for the vehicle to get around you, you must let the other driver pass you.  If there is not room, you may continue.  If you are not sure of the other driver's intentions, then you must stop and wait until you are certain before continuing.


WHAT SHOULD I DO IF A VEHICLE IS PERFORMING A TURN IN THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME?


See it early, check your mirrors and slow down gently.  Leave plenty of room for the other driver to complete their manoeuvre without feeling intimidated.

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AUTOMATIC CARS AND MANUALS

 

When completing this manoeuvre, you must keep the car slow and the steering fast.  By now you should know how to keep the car slow crawling forward.  You will have been using this control as you creep forward at closed junctions for example.


In an automatic releasing a little pressure from the brakes will make the car crawl forward.  Up hill you may need the smallest amounts of gas.


In a manual you will use your clutch control.  On a level road or slight hill your left foot will control the speed (clutch slightly up from biting point and your car will crawl).  Your right foot will cover the brake.


In a manual keep your clutch all the way down and use your brake to control speed if you need to crawl slowly down a hill.


You may require use of the handbrake in a manual car depending on the gradient.

SuperDriver Learning Centre
SuperDriver Learning Centre
SuperDriver Learning Centre

This is a nice simple method to complete this manoeuvre. 


Your instructor may show you another way.  You may know another way!