What does the term "three-point turn" refer to?

The term "three-point turn" specifically refers to a maneuver used to turn your vehicle around in a small space. This technique involves making a series of three distinct movements to pivot the vehicle so that it turns in the opposite direction. Typically, a driver will first pull to the side of the road and turn the steering wheel to the left while backing up to get a better angle, then shift into drive to move forward in the opposite direction. This approach is particularly useful in situations where space is limited and a direct U-turn is not possible.

While other driving maneuvers like parallel parking or U-turns involve turning the vehicle, they have different specific purposes and methods. For example, parallel parking focuses on maneuvering the vehicle into a parking spot parallel to the curb, whereas a U-turn typically describes a single, continuous turn made to go the opposite direction. A highway driving technique, on the other hand, would usually reference methods for safely merging or changing lanes on highways, rather than turning around in a tight space.