Ask a Trooper

Sgt. Jesse Grabow of the Minnesota State Patrol

Question: Can you talk about U-turns and how and when a person can do them?

Answer: A U-turn is a 180-degree turn that reverses your direction of travel. Do not make a U-turn unless you can do so without disrupting other traffic. “No U-Turn” signs indicate where U-turns are not allowed. You must not make U-turns on interstate freeways. They are also illegal near the tops of hills and on curves where other drivers cannot see you from 1,000 feet away.
When necessary, on a roadway with two or more lanes in the same direction, a driver may turn the vehicle into the farthest lane and temporarily use the shoulder to make a U-turn. The driver must always use due care when allowed and attempting a U-turn.

A portion of state statutes were used with permission from the Office of the Revisor of Statutes. If you have any questions concerning traffic related laws or issues in Minnesota, send your questions to Trp. Jesse Grabow – Minnesota State Patrol at 1000 Highway 10 West, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501-2205. (You can follow him on Twitter @MSPPIO_NW or reach him at, jesse.grabow@state.mn.us).