A U-turn from the specified lane is

Explanation

Prohibited.

The overhead sign sets the permitted directions of travel for each lane separately. According to the picture, the left lane — the one your vehicle is in — has a straight arrow and a right-turn arrow, and the right lane only a right-turn arrow. Neither of these lanes has a left-turn arrow, and that settles the matter: a U-turn is permitted only from a lane bearing a left-turn arrow. Permission to turn left from the extreme left of the carriageway brings with it permission to make a U-turn; the absence of that arrow means the absence of permission to turn round.

The safety reason is direct: a U-turn means crossing the entire width of the opposing flow at the lowest speed and with the longest occupation of the junction. Where the road designer has not provided for a left turn, no signal phase has been allocated to it, nor adequate visibility, nor room to manoeuvre; a vehicle turning round at such a point is a completely unexpected obstacle for the oncoming driver.

Worth memorising: before any U-turn, first read the overhead arrows or the markings on the asphalt. Keep the rule simple: left arrow present, U-turn allowed; left arrow absent, no U-turn either.

• This option assumes a U-turn is a free manoeuvre unless expressly prohibited; but where a lane-direction sign is posted, that sign closes the list of permitted actions, and a left turn does not appear on it.

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