What Is a Y-Turn in Drivers Ed?

A Y-turn, also called a K-turn or three-point turn, is a way to correct an error when you find yourself going the wrong way on a street. It's also useful when you've been parked along a residential curb and need to go back the other way to leave. You should perform it only where there is good visibility in both directions and little other traffic, and should not so it across a double yellow line. You will actually cross the road three times.

Cross to the Opposite Curb

The first crossing takes you from proceeding in one lane of traffic to a stop perpendicular to the other lane. Materials for preparing to take the driver's license test in Wisconsin caution you to signal and pull into the parking lane on the right side, check for traffic, and signal a left turn before proceeding to cross.

Back Straight From Curb to Curb

Check to be sure there's no traffic coming in either lane and no pedestrians or animals in the road before you back up for the second crossing.

Proceed in the Other Direction

As you check for traffic one more time and again signal a left turn, your third crossing swings back into the other lane, where you proceed back the way you came.

References

• Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation, Class D Road Tests: Y-Turn