Can You Make a U-Turn with Only a Left-Turn Arrow?
2 Answers
As long as there is no no U-turn sign or a separate U-turn signal, and only a left-turn arrow is present, motor vehicles can make a U-turn without affecting normal traffic flow and ensuring safety. Typically, the central median on general roads changes from a solid line to a dashed line near intersections, allowing vehicles to make a U-turn in this area. Situations where U-turns require observing traffic signals: If there is a U-turn signal at the intersection, you must wait for the U-turn green light to proceed. If there is no no U-turn sign at the intersection and there is a crosswalk, you must wait for the left-turn signal to turn green and cross the stop line before making a U-turn. If the road centerline is solid or blocked by barriers like railings and there is no dedicated U-turn lane, you must wait for the left-turn signal to turn green before proceeding. Situations where U-turns do not require observing traffic signals: If there is a single-sided yellow dashed line at the intersection, placed before the stop line, you can make a U-turn at the dashed line without waiting for the signal. It is important not to obstruct normal traffic flow during the U-turn. If there are barriers like railings with a dedicated U-turn lane before the intersection, you also do not need to wait for the signal. If there is a U-turn sign at the intersection with accompanying text indicating that no signal is required, you can make a U-turn directly at the intersection.
I've been driving for ten years and have seen many intersections like this. It's true that you can make a U-turn when the left-turn arrow is green, but only if there's no 'No U-turn' sign or solid lines on the road. Once, I was driving in a new district where the left-turn signal was green, but there were double solid yellow lines on the ground, so I didn't dare to make a U-turn. However, the experienced driver behind me just crossed the solid lines and made the U-turn, which was actually a violation. Also, pay attention to intersections where the U-turn area is very close to the crosswalk—you must wait for pedestrians to cross first. Rules can vary by city. For example, in Shanghai, some traffic lights have a dedicated U-turn indicator, which is the most straightforward. In short, don't rely solely on the left-turn signal for U-turns; you need to pay attention to road signs, markings, and real-time traffic conditions.
