Can You Make a U-Turn in a Left-Turn Waiting Area?
3 Answers
Yes, you can make a U-turn in a left-turn waiting area. When the left-turn signal is red, if you are the first in line, you should enter the waiting area instead of waiting at the intersection. When the left-turn signal turns green, you can start the U-turn from the middle of the road. If you are not the first in line, you can make a U-turn at any dotted line in the left-turn waiting area after passing the pedestrian crosswalk. Location of the left-turn waiting area: The left-turn lane has a white dotted line frame several meters long, directly connecting to the middle of the road. These white dotted lines mark the "left-turn waiting area." Scenarios where U-turns are allowed: Intersections with U-turn signs: If there is a clear U-turn sign at the intersection, you can make a U-turn. If there is a U-turn traffic light, follow its instructions. If there is no traffic light, make the U-turn based on the situation, ensuring it does not interfere with other vehicles or pedestrians. Intersections without explicit U-turn or left-turn prohibitions: If there are no signs explicitly prohibiting U-turns, you can make one. "No explicit prohibition" means the intersection has no "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs, and the centerline is not solid. Yellow grid lines also allow U-turns: Yellow grid lines are no-parking zones at intersections prone to congestion due to temporary stops, important entrances, or other designated areas. Stopping on these lines (including waiting for traffic lights) is illegal. However, U-turns are allowed in yellow grid zones as long as there is no central barrier. Yellow grid lines without barriers are equivalent to "U-turn permitted." Intersections with U-turn traffic lights: If there is a U-turn traffic light, follow its signal—green means you can proceed. When "No Left Turn" and "U-turn Permitted" signs coexist: U-turns are allowed, but left turns are prohibited. Note that "No U-turn" is not the same as "No Left Turn." Things to note when making a U-turn at an intersection: Observe road markings. If the line is solid, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable spot. If there is a "No Left Turn" sign, even without a "No U-turn" sign, U-turns are not allowed at that intersection because U-turns inherently involve a left turn. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. If you are in the second left-turn lane, you cannot make a U-turn at that intersection. Always yield to through traffic and only make a U-turn if it does not interfere with their movement. Otherwise, you will bear full responsibility for any accidents. Near intersection stop lines, lanes often have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane may not always have a left-turn arrow. If it has a straight arrow, U-turns are prohibited even without explicit "No U-turn" signs.
I encountered a similar situation just yesterday. Whether you can make a U-turn in a left-turn waiting area mainly depends on three things: the signs and markings at the intersection, the traffic light setup, and the solid lane lines. As long as there isn't a clear red-circle 'No U-turn' sign at the intersection, and the left-turn lane markings on the ground aren't solid yellow lines, you can basically make a U-turn when the light turns green. However, in practice, you need to be extra careful with your vehicle's trajectory—don't cross the opposing lane lines, especially in shorter waiting areas where turning too late could result in a traffic violation. Remember to turn on your indicator at least 50 meters in advance, or you'll risk a 3-point penalty and a 200-yuan fine.
From my daily commuting experience, don't rush to make a U-turn at the left-turn waiting area. First, ensure the left-turn signal is green, then check whether the end of the waiting area has a solid or dashed line. A solid line means you cannot cross the boundary for a U-turn, but if it's a dashed line with no U-turn prohibition signs, you're allowed to make a full turn after the front of your vehicle passes the crosswalk. Pay special attention to the straight-moving traffic beside the waiting area - at some intersections, U-turns must yield to through traffic, and any collision would be your full responsibility. The safest approach is to follow the path of the vehicle ahead; if they can U-turn, then you can too.
