How to Do a Three-Point Turn in Ontario
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A three-point turn is how you turn around on a street that's too narrow for a U-turn: forward, reverse, forward. It can come up on your road test, and the examiner is watching for one thing above all, which is that you check for traffic every time you stop.
Practise it: the Three-Point Turn route Pull over, then turn around on a narrow street in three moves without touching the curbs. (This route comes with a Pro pass.)
Drive the routeStep by step
1. Pull over
Check your mirrors and blind spot, signal right and slow down gradually. Stop parallel to the curb, about 30 cm from it, without blocking a driveway or entrance. This is the same as the start of a roadside stop.
2. Forward to the far side
Check your mirrors and blind spot, and wait until the road is clear both ways. Signal left. Move forward slowly, steering sharply left, and cross the road toward the far curb. Stop before your front tires touch it.
3. Reverse back across
Check traffic in both directions again. Shift into reverse, look back over your shoulder, and back up slowly while steering sharply right. Stop before your back tires touch the curb you started from.
4. Forward into your lane
Check traffic once more, shift into drive and move forward, steering into the right-hand lane in your new direction. Check your mirrors and speed up smoothly to the speed of traffic.
What the examiner looks for
- a safe, legal place to pull over first, close and parallel to the curb
- signals, mirror checks and blind spot checks before each move
- checking traffic both ways every time you stop
- using the whole width of the road
- reversing only once
- not hitting or riding up on the curb or shoulder
Tips
- Move slowly and steer fast. Turning the wheel quickly while the car creeps gives you the tightest turn.
- Start straightening early. Begin turning the wheel the other way just before you stop, so you're ready for the next move.
- Let traffic go. If a car comes while you're mid-turn, stop and let it pass. You're blocking the road, so be patient and visible.
- Pick your spot. In real life, only turn around where it's legal and you can see clearly both ways. Avoid curves, hills, and spots near intersections.
Common mistakes
- Skipping the traffic check between moves.
- Touching the curb because you went too far before stopping.
- Taking four or five moves because you didn't use the full width of the road.
- Forgetting the left signal before starting the turn.
The official steps are in the road test chapter of the Official MTO Driver's Handbook. See our G2 road test guide for the other skills on the test.
In Ontario Roadie's Three-Point Turn route, you pull over in a marked area on a quiet street with curbs on both sides, then turn around inside it. The game tells you which way to steer at each step.
Frequently asked questions
What is a three-point turn?
A way to turn around on a road that is too narrow for a U-turn: forward across the road to the far side, reverse back across, then forward again in the new direction.
How many times can I reverse in a three-point turn?
Once. On the road test you are expected to use the whole width of the road and reverse only once, without touching the curb on either side.
Which way do I turn the wheel when reversing?
Turn the wheel sharply to the right while you reverse, so the back of the car swings toward the curb you started from and the front points the way you want to go.
Do I signal during a three-point turn?
Yes. Signal right to pull over first, then signal left before you start the turn. Check your mirrors and blind spot, and check traffic in both directions every time you stop.
Forward, reverse, forward. Try the Three-Point Turn route and see if you can do it without touching a curb.
Drive the route