Can you make a U-turn at a circular red light intersection?

[HaileyRose]

Circular red lights do not permit U-turns. U-turns are allowed at green lights on road sections where they are not prohibited. Circumstances under which U-turns are permitted: Presence of U-turn traffic lights or signs: When an intersection has a U-turn traffic light, U-turns are allowed when the U-turn indicator is green; when there is a U-turn sign at the intersection or a U-turn indicator marking on the lane, U-turns can be made while ensuring the safety of oneself and others. No U-turn signs but left turns are allowed (no prohibition of U-turn signs or markings): Vehicles can make U-turns at intersections where left turns are permitted and no U-turn prohibition signs or markings are present. It should be noted that vehicles must proceed according to the left-turn lane traffic light without affecting the normal movement of other vehicles. If making a U-turn at an intersection with a left-turn waiting area, you can first enter the left-turn waiting area when the straight-ahead light is green and wait until the left-turn light turns green before making the U-turn. U-turns are allowed at dashed lines: Whether it's a white or yellow dashed line, U-turns are permitted. For double yellow lines where one side is dashed and the other is solid, check if your side is dashed—if so, U-turns are allowed safely; if it's solid, U-turns are not permitted. If encountering double yellow lines at an intersection, U-turns can be made on the dashed side, but you must not cross the stop line ahead. U-turns are allowed at yellow grid lines: Parking is prohibited in yellow grid line areas, but as long as there is no central barrier, you can make a U-turn here after yielding to normally moving vehicles. U-turns are allowed on the dashed side of green belts: When the front of the green belt is a dashed line, vehicles on that side can make U-turns from there. When the front of the green belt is a solid line, vehicles must follow the traffic light signals, crossing the pedestrian crossing before making a U-turn, and must not cross the solid line or the pedestrian crossing to make a U-turn. Precautions for U-turns: When making a U-turn, you should turn on the left turn signal in advance, and the maximum driving speed must not exceed 30 kilometers per hour, without hindering other normally moving vehicles and pedestrians.

[OCharles]

Having driven for over a decade, I often encounter this issue at round-light intersections. Actually, whether U-turns are allowed at red lights depends on the actual setup of the intersection. If there’s no sign prohibiting U-turns and no barriers blocking the way, then U-turns are permitted. However, several key points must be followed: you must not affect oncoming straight-moving traffic, must never make a U-turn on a crosswalk, and must clearly observe the solid or dashed lines at the intersection. Some cities have very specific regulations—for example, within Beijing’s Second Ring Road, many intersections explicitly prohibit U-turns at red lights. So, the safest approach is to slow down and observe first, checking for directional arrows on the road and seeing how local drivers handle it. Remember, safety comes first. If you’re really unsure, it’s better to drive a few hundred meters extra than risk getting caught by a traffic camera for a violation.

[BradleyLynn]

I was confused by this issue just last week and specifically looked up the traffic regulations. Simply put, check three things: whether there's a red sign prohibiting U-turns at the intersection, whether there's a dedicated left-turn signal controlling U-turns, and whether the road markings are solid lines. If none of these three are present, then you don't need to wait for the red light and can make a U-turn as long as it doesn't interfere with oncoming traffic. However, in practice, you need to pay attention to road details, such as temporary no-turn rules often implemented near school intersections. When driving in the city, I make it a habit to glance at the navigation map—some apps mark special turning rules for certain intersections. Another handy tip is to follow taxis, as they're most familiar with local traffic regulations.

[DelJeremiah]

I've covered this topic many times when I was a driving instructor. The key to whether a U-turn at a red light is legal lies in whether you cross the stop line. If the U-turn doesn't require crossing the stop line, such as at intersections with gaps in the median, turning directly at a red light is generally fine. However, if you must cross the stop line to make the U-turn, it's equivalent to a left turn and you must wait for the green light. Another easily overlooked point is special time regulations, such as temporary turning bans at certain intersections during peak hours in the morning and evening. I recommend paying attention to the auxiliary signs on intersection notice boards—those small prints often specify special rules. When teaching, I always emphasize: don't panic at circular lights, the safest approach is to stay behind the stop line and observe for half a minute.