Improper U-turn
Florida Statute § 316.1515
Summary verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: October 1, 2026.
Quick Summary
A U-turn is permitted only if it can be made safely, without interfering with other traffic, and is not prohibited by posted traffic-control signs. Identify the sign prohibition or the actual interference/safety problem. Do not treat every U-turn as illegal merely because it occurs at an intersection. A curve or hillcrest with restricted visibility may also invoke the separate 500-foot visibility rule in §316.152.
Summary sources
Classification, Points & Penalties
Classification, Points & Penalties
- Category
- Turning
- Type
- Moving
- Civil / Criminal
- Civil
- Offense Classification
- Moving infraction
- Points
- 3
- Fine / Penalty
- $60 base moving penalty; speeding/enhanced-zone schedules may differ
Base fines are not the total payable amount. Costs, enforcement method, crash consequences, prior history, and court disposition can change penalties or points. A reported zero does not rule out license suspension or revocation.
Court & Enforcement
Court & Enforcement
- Mandatory Court
- No, generally
- NTA Eligible
- N/A — civil citation
- Custodial Arrest
- No — civil infraction (absent separate lawful basis)
NTA means notice to appear. Eligibility is conditional; these fields do not independently authorize arrest. Confirm the exact statutory track, lawful arrest authority, traffic procedure, and agency policy.
Arrest authority guideCivil infractions resulting in death or serious bodily injury require a hearing under §318.19.