Free independent learning reference with original examples. Not official exam questions or personalized legal advice. Follow current provincial rules, signs and authorized directions.
Practise turns and lane selection →Check the traffic-light restriction first
A green signal allows movements subject to their own rules; it does not cancel the U-turn restriction. SGI’s turning chapter requires an explicit permitting sign at a signal-controlled intersection. A left-turn arrow alone should not be treated as that sign.
Elsewhere, look for prohibiting signs and any applicable local controls. This guide does not declare every unsigned urban or rural point suitable for turning around. The actual intersection, visibility and traffic remain part of the decision.
Source: SGI — Turning — U-turns ↗Judge the whole turn before starting
The turn needs room to complete in one continuous swing and a clear view in both directions. A gap that lets you begin is insufficient if an approaching vehicle can reach the conflict before you finish.
SGI illustrates sight-time needs of at least 20 seconds each way in a 60 km/h area and 40 seconds each way in a 100 km/h area. These are the handbook’s planning examples, not permission to attempt a turn whenever a stopwatch reaches that number.
Source: SGI — Turning — U-turns ↗Reject a turn when one requirement is missing
Original worked cases
At traffic lights, a driver sees green and no special U-turn sign. The green light does not remove the requirement for a sign permitting the U-turn.
At an otherwise permissible intersection, a delivery van blocks the view to one side. No immediate vehicle is visible, but adequate sight distance has not been established. The driver chooses another route.
A wide intersection appears quiet, but the car cannot turn in one swing. The driver should not begin a U-turn on the assumption that reversing into traffic will complete it.
A missed direction does not require an immediate U-turn
SGI advises going around the block if there is doubt about completing the manoeuvre safely with little disruption. Plan a lawful alternate route rather than improvising because a navigation app asks you to turn around.
For practice questions, identify the decisive issue: a prohibited location, inadequate view, insufficient turning room or an unsafe traffic gap. The linked exercises are free and original. Learning the decision does not replace supervised practice of vehicle control.
Source: SGI — Turning — U-turns ↗