Can You Make a U-Turn Over a Solid Yellow Line?
2 Answers
Making a U-turn over a solid yellow line is not allowed and constitutes a traffic violation. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," violators will be fined 200 yuan and receive 3 penalty points. On long stretches of roads, solid white lines, dashed white lines, solid yellow lines, or dashed yellow lines are typically present in the middle sections or before intersections. U-turns are prohibited wherever solid lines are present. Permissible U-turn scenarios: Intersections with U-turn signs: If there is a clear U-turn sign at an intersection, a U-turn is allowed. If there is a U-turn traffic light, follow its instructions. In the absence of a traffic light, perform the U-turn based on the specific situation, ensuring it does not obstruct other vehicles or pedestrians. Intersections without explicit no-U-turn or no-left-turn signs: U-turns are permitted where there is no explicit prohibition. "No explicit prohibition" means the absence of "No U-turn" or "No left-turn" signs and the absence of solid lines in the center of the road. Yellow grid lines also permit U-turns: Yellow grid lines are no-parking zones marked at intersections prone to congestion due to temporary stops, entrances/exits of important facilities, or other designated areas. Stopping on these lines (including waiting at traffic lights) is a violation. Although parking is prohibited in yellow grid zones, U-turns are allowed unless there is a central road barrier. Intersections with U-turn traffic lights: This is straightforward—if there is a U-turn traffic light, proceed only when it is green. Simultaneous presence of no-left-turn and U-turn-allowed signs: U-turns are permitted even if left turns are prohibited, but "No U-turn" does not mean "No left-turn." Precautions when making U-turns at intersections: Observe road markings—U-turns are never allowed over solid lines under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable spot. If a "No left-turn" sign is present, U-turns are also prohibited at that intersection, even if there is no explicit "No U-turn" sign, as U-turns inherently involve left turns. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. U-turns are not allowed from the second left-turn lane. Always yield to oncoming traffic when making a U-turn. Proceed only if it does not interfere with straight-moving vehicles, or you will bear full responsibility for any accidents. Near intersection stop lines, lanes often have guiding arrows. Not all leftmost lanes have left-turn arrows—some may have straight arrows. Even without explicit "No U-turn" signs, U-turns are prohibited in such lanes. U-turns on crosswalks are illegal and constitute a violation.
As a new driver who just got my license, I was also confused about this when driving on city roads. According to Chinese traffic rules, solid yellow lines strictly prohibit U-turns. Those solid lines are usually painted in the middle of the road to separate opposing lanes. If you force a U-turn there, not only will you be crossing the line, but it may also cause serious accidents since oncoming vehicles can't see your maneuver and might collide directly. My driving instructor sternly warned me during my first lessons that U-turns are only allowed at dashed lines or designated spots, such as intersections with clear U-turn signs. Otherwise, getting caught on camera means points deduction and fines, and I've heard there could be even more severe consequences. Now when driving, I pay extra attention to road markings and signs, developing the habit of observing in advance to avoid mistakes. Safety comes first - it's not worth risking just to save time.
