Is It Illegal To Do A U Turn On A Main Road?

[cemeterybird]

Have been trying to find this out but to no avail!

If you are on a wide, main road, the traffic is light and the road is wide enough from a parking position, to do a U turn in one sweep - is it illegal?
I cannot see any signs to prevent this.....

[woofgang]

clear guidance here
http://www.drivingexpert.co.uk/turning-your-vehicle-around.html

[Old_Geezer]

I don't believe it is normally illegal, but one should not expect to hold up other traffic just because the driver finds it convenient. Leave that to the taxi drivers.

[SeaJayPea]

^^^^

[SeaJayPea]

That did say "Laughs uncontrollably ^^^^". No idea why that didn't show.

[Buenchico]

There's no specific law against many motoring practices. For example, there is no law stating that you can't drive along the right-hand-side of the road. If the police see you doing it they must decide whether it constitutes 'dangerous driving', 'driving without due care and attention' or 'driving without consideration for others'. If none of those apply then driving on the right-hand-side of the road is perfectly legal (as, for example, when a milkman does it, while making his deliveries at 5am on a well-lit and otherwise deserted road).

Similarly there is no law against making U-turns (except where there are specific signs prohibiting such actions).

[cemeterybird]

SeaJayPea.... were you laughing uncontrollably at my question or OldGeezers reply ;)

woofgang.... have checked out your link and found:

Illegal U-Turns
A U-turn is considered to be illegal if one of the following happens:

You cross a kerb
You cross double white lines in the centre of the road (unless there is a gap between them)
Road markings or signs indicate 'No U-turns'
You are on a one-way street

I know I did not cross a kerb, it was not a one way street and there were no signs and having just checked on google maps, the lines in the centre of the road are single long dashes..... and of course, traffic was very light at the time and I caused no danger! Phew - I think I'm ok... just that I wrote this on a legal document and someone said afterwards, that I may be admitting an offence by doing so!!

[SeaJayPea]

I was laughing at Old Geezer's Taxi drivers comment. Just made my day. I live in London and regularly see them holding up dozens of others while they go about their business.

[Barmaid]

Can I ask the reason for your question? Have you been issued with a ticket? Or was there an accident?

[pauldendy]

The offence committed doing a U turn is obstruction. It is only definitely illegal when signed as No U turns. Many offended under the construction and use regs are only found to be legal or not once taken to court. It is a matter of common sence being needed.

[malagabob]

Dont driving instructors teach you how to do a three point turn? Or am I on the wrong track here.

[joko]

malagabob - the only reason people do a 3 point turn is because there isn't space to do a full u turn ... a 3 point turn is really just a u turn, just done in staggered stages