U turn limits — South Dakota Permit Test

Do not make a U-turn at an intersection where a police officer is controlling traffic, unless the officer tells you to.

An officer waving cars through does not expect a car to swing around in the middle of them.

At any intersection where a police officer is controlling traffic unless the officer instructs you to make a U-turn.

Do not make a U-turn mid-block on a street in a business district, unless the street is divided and you turn at a legal opening or crossover.

Cars parked and pulling out along a busy block cannot expect a car to turn around in front of them.

Mid-block on any street in a business district or mid-block on a through (main) highway that is in a residential district.

Do not make a U-turn on a curve or near the crest of a hill on an undivided highway where other drivers cannot see your vehicle within 500 feet.

A car coming over the hill finds you sideways across both lanes with no time to stop.

Upon a curve or upon the approach to or near the crest of a grade on any undivided highway where the vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of any other vehicle with 500 feet approaching from any direction.

Do not make a U-turn where signs prohibit it, or anywhere it cannot be made safely or without getting in the way of other traffic.

A U-turn that makes another driver brake or swerve is how side-impact crashes start.

At any place where a U-turn cannot be made safely or without interfering with other traffic.

When may you make a U-turn where a police officer is directing traffic?

Only when the officer tells you to make one. An officer waving cars through does not expect a car to swing around in the middle of them. South Dakota Driver License Manual, p.39: “At any intersection where a police officer is controlling traffic unless the officer instructs you to make a U-turn.”