How Do You Do a Legal U-Turn in Ontario?

Under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act (section 143), U-turns are legal on most roads as long as they can be made safely and without interfering with other traffic. To make a legal U-turn, you must have a clear, unobstructed view of at least 150 metres (approximately 500 feet) in both directions. The road must be wide enough to complete the turn without backing up or driving onto the curb.

U-turns are illegal in the following situations in Ontario:

According to the Ontario Driver's Handbook, the correct technique for executing a safe U-turn is:

Under the Highway Traffic Act, making an illegal U-turn in Ontario carries a set fine starting at approximately $110 plus a victim fine surcharge and court costs, bringing the total to roughly $150 or more. Two demerit points are also assigned. If the illegal U-turn causes a collision, additional charges such as careless driving may apply, with much higher fines and potential licence suspension. Insurance companies also treat at-fault U-turn collisions as significant risk factors.

U-turns are not typically part of the G2 or G road test route. However, knowing the rules is important because written knowledge test questions may cover U-turn laws. If during a road test an examiner sees you make an unsafe or illegal turn of any kind, it would be marked as a serious error. For daily driving, remember the simple rule: U-turns are fine on regular streets where you can see far enough, but never at a traffic light unless a sign says otherwise.