VORT Manoeuvre Guide
U-Turn in South Australia
A U-turn tests whether you can choose a legal location, give way correctly, observe all relevant traffic and turn the vehicle around in one controlled movement without reversing.
This guide supports lessons and VORT preparation. Always follow current South Australian road rules.
What the manoeuvre assesses
Legal location
Confirm signs, traffic lights, road markings, width and visibility before starting.
Give way
Give way to all road users and do not make another vehicle brake or change direction.
One movement
Complete the turn without reversing, touching the kerb or losing lane control.
Simple version: choose a legal place, signal clearly, give way to everyone, turn slowly and finish smoothly.
Where not to make a U-turn
- Where a No U-turn sign applies.
- At traffic lights unless a U-turn Permitted sign is displayed.
- Across prohibited continuous dividing lines, dividing strips or painted islands.
- On a one-way road.
- Where visibility, traffic or road layout makes the turn unsafe.
Step-by-step U-turn
- Check signs, lights, road markings, road width and visibility.
- Check the centre and right mirrors, then signal right at a suitable time.
- Move into a safe waiting position without unnecessarily blocking traffic.
- Keep observing oncoming traffic, vehicles behind, side roads, cyclists and pedestrians.
- Give way completely and begin only when there is enough time and space.
- Move forward slowly and steer decisively to the right.
- Look toward the correct lane, straighten the steering and accelerate smoothly when safe.
Training tip: if traffic conditions change, stop and reassess. Do not force the U-turn.
Common mistakes
- Choosing an illegal or unsuitable location.
- Forgetting the signal or signalling too late.
- Poor observation while waiting.
- Starting with too small a gap.
- Turning too late and needing to reverse.
- Touching the kerb or entering the wrong lane.
- Failing to accelerate smoothly after the turn.