Three point turns — Utah Permit Test

A three-point turn should be used only if the road is too narrow for a U-turn, and only on a two-lane road.

It leaves the car across both lanes for several seconds. That is only acceptable where there is no other way round.

Use this only if the road is too narrow for a U-turn. It’s best to go around the block if you can. This should only be used on a two-lane road.

A three-point turn begins with a mirror check, a head check, and a right turn signal, then stopping on the right side of the road.

Pulling right first gives the room to swing hard left across the road, which is the whole point of the maneuver.

Stop on the right side of the road.

In a three-point turn a driver turns hard left when traffic is clear, drives to the other side of the road, and stops.

The car is now across the road and blind to both directions. Doing it only when clear is what makes it survivable.

When traffic is clear, turn hard left, drive to the other side of the road, and stop.

Before reversing in a three-point turn a driver checks traffic and head checks over both shoulders.

The car is pointing across the road, so traffic can arrive from either side of you at once.

Check traffic and head check over both shoulders.

When should a Utah driver use a three-point turn?

When the road is too narrow for a U-turn. It leaves the car across both lanes for several seconds. That is only acceptable where there is no other way round. Utah Driver Handbook 2026-2027, p.38: “Use this only if the road is too narrow for a U-turn. It’s best to go around the block if you can. This should only be used on a two-lane road.”