No U turn sign
What the No U turn sign means: You must not make a U turn at this intersection or along this length of road.
- Group
- Regulatory signs
- Does this group carry the law
- Enforceable. Disobeying one is an offence in itself.
- In the sign deck
- 3 questions ask about this sign
What to do when you see it
- Do not turn back on yourself at this intersection or on this length of road.
- Carry on and use the next intersection where a U turn is allowed, or make three right turns around the block.
- Where a U turn is allowed, give way to every other vehicle and pedestrian before you start it.
Where you see it
At signalised intersections on busy arterials, on divided roads with a narrow median, at the top of freeway ramps, and near schools and shopping strips where the turn would block traffic.
Across the states and territories
The sign is national. The default underneath it is not the same everywhere: whether you may make a U turn at traffic lights without a sign permitting it differs between jurisdictions, so read the rule for the state or territory you are driving in rather than assuming the one you learned in.
Tell it apart from these
- No U turnthis pageNo right turn
A no right turn sign still lets you turn back at the next legal point. No U turn bans the turn back specifically, and a right turn may still be allowed.
No right turn: You must not turn right at this intersection.
- No U turnthis pageNo entry
No U turn restricts one manoeuvre. No entry closes the road.
No entry: You must not drive past this sign into the road ahead.
How the knowledge tests use it
Questions tend to focus on who gives way during a U turn, which is everyone, including a vehicle turning left into the road you are turning into.
What does this sign mean?
The black arrow doubling back on itself is a U turn, and the red ring and bar ban it at this intersection or along this length of road.
State and territory driver handbooks, turning and U turns
Common questions
- What does the No U turn sign mean?
- You must not make a U turn at this intersection or along this length of road.
- What should you do when you see a No U turn sign?
- Do not turn back on yourself at this intersection or on this length of road. Carry on and use the next intersection where a U turn is allowed, or make three right turns around the block. Where a U turn is allowed, give way to every other vehicle and pedestrian before you start it.
- Where is the No U turn sign used?
- At signalised intersections on busy arterials, on divided roads with a narrow median, at the top of freeway ramps, and near schools and shopping strips where the turn would block traffic.
- What is the No U turn sign confused with?
- No right turn: A no right turn sign still lets you turn back at the next legal point. No U turn bans the turn back specifically, and a right turn may still be allowed. No entry: No U turn restricts one manoeuvre. No entry closes the road.
- How do the knowledge tests ask about the No U turn sign?
- Questions tend to focus on who gives way during a U turn, which is everyone, including a vehicle turning left into the road you are turning into.
Try it in a question
Original practice questions, not the official bank. How we write and check them.
More regulatory signs
Mostly white with red or black, and usually round or rectangular.