The Three Point Turn / Turn in the Road - The Turn in the road Manoeuvre
The Three Point Turn / Turn in the Road Manoeuvre is one of the manoeuvres that you might be expected to perform on your Practical Driving Test
Turning the vehicle to face the opposite direction using forward and reverse gears - or the Turn in the Road / Three Point Turn as most of us know it, is not as hard as it first seems
At first there will seem to be a little bit too much to do with the Turn in the Road, Three Point Turn, but do not worry. Most pupils feel this in the initial stages. The turn in the road manoeuvre has quite a long brief. Once you have been talked through and completed your Turn in the Road / three point turn a couple of times on a quiet road you will find that thankfully; it is all beginning to make sense. As manoeuvres go, the three point turn / turn in the road manoeuvre is not that bad.
The Turn in the Road / Three Point Turn manoeuvre is a relatively simple one as long as you remember the basics
The Turn in the Road / Three Point Turn manoeuvre is usually the most popular one with pupils. This is because they can immediately see where they have to go and how to get there. The reason that we teach the Turn in the Road manoeuvre is so that if you are out in your car one day and take a wrong turn, you have a method of turning around safely without finding a roundabout.
The Three Point Turn / Turn in the Road Manoeuvre
The aim of the Turn in the Road manoeuvre
The aim of the Turn in the Road / Three Point Turn manoeuvre is to turn the car around to face the opposite direction within the kerb boundaries of the road.
The turn in the road / 3 point turn manoeuvre will be useful to you once you have passed your practical driving test. It will happen to you one day that you are looking for something in an area that you do not know and realise that you are traveling in the wrong direction. This is the easiest way of turning the vehicle to face the opposite direction.
The Three Point Turn / Turn in the Road
The Turn in the road Manoeuvre
Three Point Turn / Turn in the Road
The Briefing for the Turn in the Road manoeuvre
The instructor will choose the location for you to perform the Turn in the Road / Three Point Turn manoeuvre and get you to pull in to the kerb. They will then give you the following briefing, or something similar.
"This is the location at which I would like you to perform the Turn in the Road manoeuvre please. I would like you to turn the vehicle to face the opposite direction using forward and reverse gears, so in yur own time, please perform that manoeuvre".
Do not rush to get started! Mistakes can easily occur this way. Composing yourself for a couple of seconds can just settle nerves that little bit that makes the difference between a smooth procedure and a nightmare.
The Three Point Turn / Turn in the Road
The Turn in the road Manoeuvre
Turn in the Road / Three Point Turn Manoeuvre
Key points for the Turn in the Road / Three Point Turn Manoeuvre
Turn in the Road / Three Point Turn Manoeuvre
Speed
During the Turn in the Road manoeuvre keep your speed low at all times by balancing the gas and the biting point. Remember that if the road that the examiner chooses has a camber then it will seem as if you are going uphill to start off with and then downhill after the half way point. Be prepared to brake a little to control the speed. Just dipping the clutch may not be enough.
Turn in the Road / Three Point Turn Manoeuvre
Steering
While performing the Turn in the Road manoeuvre the steering should be done in the usual pull/push manner; and full lock should be achieved as soon as possible in both directions.
On the Turn in the Road manoeuvre dry steering is not allowed, which is exactly the same on the other manoeuvres. Dry steering is turning the steering wheel whilst the car is stationary. It does not matter how slowly the car is moving as long as it is.
Turn in the Road / Three Point Turn Manoeuvre
Observations
If the vehicle is stationary then you should perform an all around observation. Remembering that the last observation before moving away from the kerb (if you have just completed the reverse phase of the Turn in the Road maoeuvre) must be followed by a last look to the left.
When the vehicle is half way across the road in either direction then you should take a look up and down the road and be prepared to stop if necessary. You never know where the next idiot will come from.
It is important to remember that at no point in the Turn in the Road manoeuvre are we allowed to reverse towards pedestrians on the kerb. If you see either a pedestrian or an oncoming road user then you must stop and apply the handbrake. Wait until they have either gone or stopped (their choice) and then do P.O.M before you continue with the Turn in the Road manoeuvre.
Turn in the Road / Three Point Turn Manoeuvre
Seat belt
The seatbelt may be removed prior to the Turn in the Road manoeuvre if necessary.
I would personally recommend that you do not take it off unless you need to do so. If you do need to remove it then remember that it must be replaced prior to moving away from the kerb at the end of the Turn in the Road manoeuvre.
If you should move off without replacing the seatbelt then you are placing the examiner in a position where they have to fail you for driving without a seatbelt.
Turn in the Road
Performing the Turn in the Road / Three Point Turn Manoeuvre
Moving off
The car is stationary in a parking position so the driving plan is P.O.M.
Preparation - the car by selecting depressing the clutch, selecting first gear, setting the gas and finding the biting point.
Observation - at this point is an all around observation because we are stationary. If there is no oncoming traffic from either direction, pedestrian who may be in the way or cross the road then we may begin to move. If thee is a reason not to go then just wait patiently and do not indicate. You would feel a fool if you indicated and someone slowed to let you out, thinking that you were going to follow the road ahead.
Manoeuvre - Release the handbrake and, keeping the car speed low with the gas and biting point technique, steer quickly to apply full lock to the right.
Moving forwards and right
As you approach half way across the road, look up and down the road for any oncoming vehicles and be prepared to stop if necessary.
At three quarters of the way across the road counter steer a little before you stop.
Before moving away in reverse
Remember that you are stationary so you will have to apply the handbrake to secure the vehicle before selecting the reverse gear.
Preparation - to move by setting the gas and finding the biting point.
Observation - is an all around observation, then look over your left shoulder before you begin to reverse.
Reversing across the road
Release the handbrake when you are sure that it is safe, and as soon as the car moves steer to full left lock.
At half way look both ways up and down the road, then look over the right shoulder.
Counter steer just before you stop.
Finishing the manoeuvre
Apply the handbrake and select first gear.
Set the gas and find your biting point.
Observe by looking up and down the road repeatedly until you are sure that it is safe.
When you are sure that it is safe move off and do a last look to the left just as the car begins to move.
Straighten up in the road, perform a full set of mirror checks and follow the road ahead.
The Three Point Turn / Turn in the Road
The Turn in the road Manoeuvre
What are we looking for in the Turn in the Road manoeuvre?
Turn in the Road / Three Point Turn Manoeuvre
Co-ordination
You must control the speed of the vehicle with the three pedals in the correct sequence; either gas and biting point, or clutch down and brake. It is not at all acceptable to coast while performing a manoeuvre.
You must steer properly using the push/pull method, in the correct direction and quickly enough for the manoeuvre. The speed necessary for the steering can vary depending upon the width of the road.
Turn in the Road / Three Point Turn Manoeuvre
Observation
Your observations must be of the correct type, all around or both ways up and down the road, and correctly timed.
Turn in the Road / Three Point Turn Manoeuvre
Accuracy
The examiner is looking to see that you make efficient use of the road pace available without touching the kerbs on either side of the road.
