Regulatory signs · R3-4
No U-Turn sign
Archive file: R03-04 Movement Prohibition (No U-Turn)/R03-04 Movement Prohibition (No U-Turn) 36x36.svg
FHWA public-use information
What it means
Do not reverse direction by making a U-turn here.
Source: FHWA MUTCD — MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1 (December 2025), Section 2B.26, paragraph 07, PDF page 130.
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Meaning
No U-Turn prohibits turning around to travel back in the direction you came from. That reversal is the movement being restricted. It is different from an ordinary left turn into another road, which is identified separately on a No Left Turn sign.
What to do
When this sign applies at a Pennsylvania intersection, do not reverse your direction there. An opening in oncoming traffic does not make the prohibited maneuver legal. The restriction is part of deciding where you can turn around, before you consider whether a gap is safe.
Where it is used
Federal guidance puts this sign where drivers intending to turn around can see it. Recommended positions include overhead, on a median, at the far left corner, or beside the near-right Stop or Yield sign. At a signal, it belongs near the signal viewed from the left lane.
- Official source · MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 2B.26, paragraphs 05 and 07 · PDF page 130 · Checked
- Official source · MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 2B.26, paragraph 05 · PDF page 130 · Checked
- Official source · MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 2B.26, paragraph 11B · PDF page 130 · Checked
A sign to tell apart
No Left Turn addresses a left turn, while No U-Turn addresses a complete reversal. The federal manual has a combined sign for locations where both movements are prohibited. Do not interpret this single U-turn prohibition as a complete list of every movement allowed at the intersection.
Practice with explanations
These are original learning questions based on the cited handbooks. Read each answer and its explanation below.
1. Which maneuver is prohibited by this sign in Pennsylvania?
- Turning around to head back the way you came.
- Continuing through the intersection.
- Parking beside the road.
Answer: A. Turning around to head back the way you came.
A U-turn reverses your direction of travel. That is the maneuver this sign forbids.
2. You missed a street in Pennsylvania and reach No U-Turn. There is a wide gap in traffic. May you reverse direction at the sign?
- Yes, because the traffic gap is wide.
- Yes, after a complete stop.
- No; the restriction still applies.
Answer: C. No; the restriction still applies.
A safe-looking gap does not cancel the U-turn prohibition. Do not make the signed maneuver.
State source coverage
Handbook coverage and sample questions do not prove that a sign will appear on your exam. Even a published test scope cannot guarantee an individual exam question.
Pennsylvania
Handbook coverage
PennDOT explains this sign in its Pennsylvania Driver’s Manual. This is handbook coverage; it does not establish that this particular sign will appear on your Knowledge Test.
Pennsylvania permit sources · Practice with Pennsylvania questions
State variations
State-specific variations have not been independently established for this study.
Verified question coverage
These free state-bank questions were independently verified. This does not establish complete state-bank readiness, app availability or what will appear on your permit exam.
California
1 free question uses this sign in Steerlet's verified question data.
California permit sources · General California permit practice (does not include this sign)
The linked 20-question permit quizzes do not currently include this sign.
Practice this sign in the federal 20-sign quiz. That tool uses MUTCD questions and is separate from the state-bank questions listed here.
This meaning is a federal MUTCD reference. Check your state's handbook for its rules and sign coverage; this page does not establish what appears on a state permit exam.
Try the free road sign quiz or find your state's handbook.
