Turn and U-turn prohibitions

Turn and U-turn prohibitions: how to read them

These red-bordered signs remove one movement. The rest of the junction stays available. A left-turn prohibition means you may go straight on or turn right if that is permitted and safe.

Timing matters. R209 and R210 look ahead to the next intersection so that you can plan. R211 and R212 apply at the junction you are standing at. R213 forbids turning round to face the opposite direction, before or on the far side of an intersection.

Turn prohibitions often exist because a junction is too tight, too busy or has poor visibility for that movement. Treat them as information about the junction, not an obstacle to work around. If you miss the turn you wanted, a short detour is far safer than a forbidden manoeuvre.

Key idea: A crossed arrow removes that one movement. Plan an alternative early.

No left turn ahead — R209

A left turn is prohibited at the junction ahead.

Recognise it. A white disc with a red border showing a left-turn arrow crossed out. This version applies ahead of the junction.

Where you meet it. On a public road before an intersection, so you can plan another route.

What to do. Do not turn left at the intersection ahead. Go straight or choose another permitted direction.

In practice. A sign tells you the next junction forbids left turns. You get into the right lane early and plan a different route to your destination.

Easily confused. R209/R210 look ahead; R211/R212 apply at the junction itself.

Key idea: Choose another permitted direction at the junction.

No right turn ahead — R210

A right turn is prohibited at the junction ahead.

Recognise it. A red-bordered disc with a right-turn arrow crossed out, applying to the junction ahead.

Where you meet it. On a public road before a junction where right turns are forbidden.

What to do. Do not turn right at the next intersection. Plan a route that avoids it.

In practice. You see the right-turn-ahead ban. You continue straight, turn right at a later junction and avoid braking sharply at the banned turn.

Easily confused. Check which junction the sign refers to. A sign before one junction does not forbid turns at later ones.

Key idea: Plan a route that does not use the prohibited turn.

No left turn — R211

Turning left at this point is prohibited.

Recognise it. A red-bordered disc with a left-turn arrow crossed out, applying at the junction where you are.

Where you meet it. At the intersection itself.

What to do. Do not turn left here. You may go straight on or turn right if that is permitted and safe.

Why it exists. A turn may be forbidden because the junction is tight, busy or has poor visibility for that movement. The sign removes the risky choice.

In practice. At the junction the left turn is forbidden. You go straight on instead and check for pedestrians as you pass the corner.

Easily confused. Prohibited left does not mean prohibited everything: the remaining movements are still available.

Key idea: Continue in a permitted direction rather than turning left.

No right turn — R212

Turning right at this point is prohibited.

Recognise it. A red-bordered disc with a right-turn arrow crossed out, applying at the junction where you are.

Where you meet it. At the intersection itself.

What to do. Do not turn right here. You may go straight on or turn left if allowed and safe.

Why it exists. A right turn may be forbidden for the same reasons as a left turn: tight geometry, heavy traffic or poor sight lines.

In practice. At the junction a right turn is forbidden. You turn left or carry on straight, then loop back by a legal route.

Easily confused. Do not make a last-second illegal turn from the wrong lane; take a permitted movement and reroute.

Key idea: Continue in a permitted direction rather than turning right.

No U-turn — R213

You may not turn around to face the opposite direction here.

Recognise it. A red-bordered disc with a U-shaped arrow crossed out.

Where you meet it. On a public road, either before or on the far side of an intersection.

What to do. Do not turn your vehicle round to face the opposite direction here. Carry on to a place where turning round is allowed and safe.

In practice. You miss your turning and see the no U-turn sign. You continue to the next junction where turning round is allowed and signal your move.

Easily confused. A series of left turns that brings you back is a different manoeuvre; this sign forbids the U-turn itself.

Key idea: Continue to a place where turning around is permitted and safe.

Now or ahead

Ahead signs give you time to move into the right lane and reroute. At-junction signs leave no room for a late change. In both cases, resist the temptation to make the forbidden turn from the wrong lane because it looks quiet.

A U-turn is its own movement. Several left turns that bring you back the other way are not what R213 forbids, but check the local layout carefully.

Key idea: A crossed arrow removes that one movement. Plan an alternative early.

Quick recap

• Ahead signs warn of the next junction.
• At-junction signs apply here.
• Other movements remain allowed.
• No U-turn means no turning round to face the opposite way.