In a dead-end street you can legally and safely turn around, although you cannot continue forwards. May you reverse out, when reversing is not a necessary manoeuvre complementary to another permitted manoeuvre?

Correct answer

No, a turnaround is possible and no exception permits reversing out.

No. The Article 80.1 exception for reversing out requires that neither forward travel nor changing direction or turning around is possible. Here a turnaround is possible, so the exception does not apply. The question also excludes a necessary complementary manoeuvre. The 15-metre limit in Article 80.2 concerns reversing complementary to stopping, parking or joining traffic; it does not itself authorise every reverse journey shorter than 15 metres. Reversing is prohibited on autopistas and autovías.