Can You Make a U-Turn in a Highway Service Area?
3 Answers
Highway service areas do not allow U-turns. Penalties for making a U-turn on the highway: U-turns are prohibited on the entire highway, regardless of whether it is in a service area. To make a U-turn, you must exit at the next available exit and then turn around. U-turns are not permitted on highways, nor is it possible to make one, as you cannot drive across the median. Instead, you would have to drive in the opposite direction. According to the relevant provisions of the Road Traffic Safety Law, reversing, driving in the opposite direction, or making a U-turn on a highway will not only result in a fine but also a full 12-point deduction from your driver's license. What to do if you miss an exit or take the wrong ramp on the highway: Maintain your speed and continue driving. Do not panic or brake suddenly, as this could lead to rear-end collisions or other accidents. While continuing to drive, look for the nearest exit or service area. Several dozen meters before the exit toll booth, there is usually a designated area for drivers who have taken the wrong route to turn around. From there, you can re-enter the highway. Most service areas are symmetrically designed with a connecting tunnel in the middle. By driving through this tunnel to the opposite service area, you can exit and return to your intended destination. This method helps save on highway tolls, as the extra distance traveled within the highway loop is not charged.
I've been driving for over 20 years, and that incident with the novice driver at the service area left a deep impression on me. To save time, he attempted a forced U-turn in the parking zone, nearly colliding with a truck that was refueling. Service area roads are narrow by design, intended only for slow vehicle entry and exit, not suitable for U-turns. Highways are one-way, and service areas are enclosed zones—reckless U-turns significantly increase collision risks, especially with mixed pedestrian and vehicle traffic. A minor scrape with a pedestrian or child could lead to unthinkable consequences. Traffic police may impose fines of 200-500 RMB and possibly deduct points. I recommend patiently driving to the exit or finding designated U-turn spots; though it may take an extra ten minutes, safety comes first—don't risk shortcuts.
As a father of two, I often take my children to rest at highway service areas. Once, I witnessed a car attempting to make a U-turn and nearly hitting my running daughter; my heart sank at that moment. Service areas are not U-turn zones; they are places for rest and refueling. With heavy pedestrian traffic and winding roads, forcing a U-turn can easily lead to rear-end or side collisions. They are designed as one-way traffic zones for family safety, and rules must be strictly followed. If you miss the entrance, it's safer to wait until the exit to adjust. Teaching children traffic rules starts with setting an example to avoid tragedies.
