Can You Make a U-Turn Where Left Turns Are Allowed?
3 Answers
Whether you can make a U-turn at an intersection where left turns are allowed depends on the following situations: No U-turn signal: When driving in the left-turn lane without a U-turn signal, if the vehicle has not crossed the stop line and the intersection has dashed lines or a central barrier with a U-turn passage, you can make a U-turn without being restricted by a red light, but you must yield to other vehicles. If there are no dashed lines at the intersection and no gap in the guardrail, follow the traffic light ahead—you can cross the stop line and pedestrian crossing to make a U-turn when the light is green. With a U-turn signal: When driving in the left-turn lane with a U-turn signal, if there are no dashed lines at the intersection and no gap in the guardrail, follow the U-turn signal—you can cross the stop line and pedestrian crossing to make a U-turn when the light is green. If the vehicle has not crossed the stop line and the intersection has dashed lines, but the U-turn signal is red, U-turns are not allowed. No U-turn signs: At locations with no U-turn signs, U-turns are prohibited during the specified times, and violations will result in penalties and demerit points.
Not necessarily. I've been driving for over 20 years and encountered many similar situations. Once at an intersection where left turns were allowed, I attempted to make a U-turn but nearly collided with an oncoming vehicle because there was a no U-turn sign there. Since then, I've made it a habit to carefully check traffic lights, road signs, and pavement markings. Traffic regulations vary by location - where left turns are permitted, U-turns might be prohibited due to safety concerns, complex road conditions, or higher risks when there are many pedestrians. My advice is to slow down at every intersection and clearly check for U-turn signs first. If there's no sign, it's better not to make a U-turn arbitrarily to avoid accidents or traffic fines. Although my driving skills have improved, I still adopt a conservative approach with safety as the top priority. After developing these habits, my driving has become more stable and accidents have decreased significantly.
When I first started learning to drive, my instructor emphasized this point. During training at the driving school, one key lesson was distinguishing between left-turn and U-turn rules. Being allowed to turn left doesn't automatically mean you can make a U-turn; for example, at intersections in the city center, you can turn when the left-turn signal is green, but if there's a no U-turn sign or a red light, you absolutely must not make a U-turn. Now when I'm on the road, I always scan for signs around me, especially warning signs in the rearview mirror. Once I spot any restrictions, I hold back and look for another spot. This habit has helped me avoid common mistakes made by beginners. In driving, the details of traffic laws are crucial—they concern everyone's safety. Observing more and learning more makes driving smoother.
