“Turn in the road” was called “Three Point Turn” previously, it is the safe and legal way to turn your vehicle around in the road. This is a manoeuvre you could be tested on during your practical test. It requires good control of the clutch, brakes and gears whilst constantly checking for hazards. You could accomplish the manoeuvre perfectly in terms of speed and control of the vehicle but if you do not check all around for hazards you will fail the manoeuvre.

This manoeuvre requires you to use both lanes of the road so you will need to be aware of traffic from all directions. In the test and in normal driving once you pass you could need to attempt the turn in the road near a junction, on a busy road or where your visibility of oncoming traffic does not extend for hundreds of metres. When attempting the manoeuvre you must wait until the road is clear and it is safe, if traffic arrives during your turn in the road then you should try to finish the manoeuvre in a safe manner.

When practicing then it is recommended that you find a road that is safe and has good visibility. The road should be wide to begin with and you can try it on narrower roads when you have the basics well practiced. Visibility is key, make sure there are no bus stops, overhanging trees or anything that will block your view of both the road and the footpaths on either side of the road.

Pull over, Cancel your indicators, put the car in first gear and do all the checks you would for moving off – mirrors and blind spots. Initially you are driving forwards so you will be primarily looking out your front windscreen, be aware that when you are in reverse and moving backwards that you will need to shift your focus to the rear windscreen.

Moving slowly using the clutch turn the steering wheel quickly to the right, try to get the car to move a full 90 degrees, a right angle. Be aware of the camber, if the road has a steep camber you may need to control the speed of the car by braking as you approach the kerb.

As you approach the kerb quickly begin to turn the wheel left. In the last few feet before touching the kerb you will be able to change the way the wheels point and make it easier to perform the reverse part of the manoeuvre, It is not necessary to do this, it just helps a little.

Fully apply the footbrake, fully apply the clutch and apply the handbrake, so you can release the footbrake. Time to change to reverse gear, find the biting point and begin to move the car back across the road – you need to keep checking around you, keep aware of your environment.

Begin reversing, turn the steering wheel fully to the left. Looking out the back of the car and all around you for hazards slowly move the car back keeping an eye out for the kerb over your right shoulder. If you were able to time your steering right – which has got to be fast – you will have almost completely turned the car around and you will be ready to drive off. As before, brake, clutch, handbrake, release footbrake, change gear (to first) and prepare to move.

Making sure the way is clear again, you have the car in first gear and are ready to finish the manoeuvre. Drive forwards and turn the wheel right, straightening up on the left hand side of the road. Unless your examiner tells you otherwise pull up on the left hand side of the road when it is safe and convenient. Normally the examiner will just ask you to continue on.