Can You Make a U-turn Inside a Highway Service Area?
2 Answers
U-turns are not allowed inside highway service areas. The entire highway prohibits U-turns, regardless of whether you are in a service area. If you need to make a U-turn, you must exit the highway at the next exit and then perform the maneuver. Prohibited U-turn situations include: Areas with 'No U-turn' or 'No Left Turn' signs: If there is a 'No U-turn' sign, U-turns are not permitted at that intersection. Since a U-turn is an extension of a left turn, intersections with 'No Left Turn' signs also prohibit U-turns. No U-turns at crosswalks: U-turns are forbidden at crosswalks. If U-turns are allowed at an intersection, you must cross the crosswalk before turning, and you cannot perform the U-turn on the crosswalk itself. No U-turns without a designated left-turn lane: Even in the leftmost lane, U-turns are not allowed unless there is a sign permitting left turns. No U-turns in the second left-turn lane: Vehicles cannot make U-turns when stopped in the second left-turn lane. In the absence of any signs, U-turns are only permitted in the innermost left-turn lane. No U-turns at solid yellow lines: U-turns are prohibited at solid yellow lines. Even if U-turns are allowed, you must wait for a green light and cross the stop line before making the turn. No U-turns on highways: Crossing the central divider to make a U-turn on a highway is illegal and will result in a fine and 12 penalty points. If you miss an exit on the highway, continue to the next exit instead of attempting an illegal U-turn.
I often drive long distances, and the question of whether you can make a U-turn in highway service areas is all too common. In fact, the internal roads of service areas are completely different from the main highway lanes. Although there are no surveillance cameras installed inside service areas, U-turns are absolutely prohibited. When I first started driving, I didn’t believe it and tried it once, nearly scraping another car. Think about it—how wide are the service area lanes, and with large trucks parked on both sides, attempting a U-turn there is practically playing with your life. If you accidentally go the wrong way, the safest approach is to simply drive out of the service area and make a U-turn at the next toll booth to re-enter. Making a risky U-turn on the highway not only risks a 12-point penalty if caught on camera but could also trigger a chain-reaction collision.
