Can You Make a U-Turn at a Left-Turn Green Arrow?
2 Answers
You can make a U-turn at a left-turn green arrow. Vehicles are allowed to make a U-turn at intersections where left turns are permitted and there are no signs or markings prohibiting U-turns. Precautions when making a U-turn are as follows: Vehicles should proceed according to the left-turn lane signal 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 signal is green and wait until the left-turn signal turns green before making the U-turn. Other situations where U-turns are allowed are as follows: Presence of a U-turn signal or sign: When there is a U-turn signal at the intersection, a U-turn can be made when the U-turn signal is green. If there is a U-turn sign at the intersection or a U-turn indication on the lane, a U-turn can be made while ensuring the safety of yourself and others. U-turns are allowed at dashed lines: Whether it is a white or yellow dashed line, U-turns are permitted. For double yellow lines with one solid and one dashed, check if your side is the dashed line. If it is, a U-turn can be made safely; if it is solid, U-turns are not allowed. If encountering double yellow lines at an intersection, a U-turn 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 a green belt: When the front of the green belt is a dashed line, vehicles on that side can make a U-turn from there. When the front of the green belt is a solid line, vehicles must follow the traffic signal, cross the pedestrian crossing before making a U-turn, and are prohibited from making a U-turn by crossing the solid line or the pedestrian crossing.
When I see a green left-turn arrow while driving, I usually check for any 'No U-turn' signs first, since most places allow U-turns under this signal. After all, the left-turn arrow is designed for turning movements, and a U-turn is essentially a turning maneuver that doesn't require an additional signal. Once at an urban intersection, the left-turn green arrow lit up, and I slowly initiated a U-turn, only to nearly collide with an oncoming through vehicle. Fortunately, I had assessed the traffic situation carefully and avoided an accident. So my advice is to always observe the surroundings before making a U-turn, ensuring there are no through vehicles or pedestrians interfering. Some intersections even have dedicated U-turn signs—if there's no prohibition, the maneuver is entirely legal. Safety should always come first; if unsure about the rules or visibility is poor, it's best to wait for a safer opportunity to proceed.
