Can you turn or make a U-turn at the dashed line?
3 Answers
Dashed lines allow for U-turns or turns, but you must also observe road traffic conditions and traffic signals. If it's a double yellow line with one solid and one dashed side, check whether your side is the dashed line. If it is, you can make a U-turn safely; if it's a solid line, U-turns are not permitted. If you encounter a double yellow line at an intersection, you may make a U-turn on the dashed side, but you must not cross the stop line ahead. Permissible U-turn scenarios include: Presence of U-turn signals or signs: When an intersection has a U-turn signal light, you may make a U-turn when the signal is green. If there is a U-turn sign or a lane marking permitting U-turns, you may proceed with a U-turn after ensuring safety for yourself and others. No U-turn signs but left turns are allowed (no prohibition signs): At intersections where left turns are permitted and no U-turn prohibition signs or markings exist, vehicles may make a U-turn. Note that vehicles must not interfere with normal traffic flow and should follow the left-turn signal. If making a U-turn at an intersection with a left-turn waiting area, you may enter the waiting area during a green light for straight traffic and proceed with the U-turn when the left-turn signal turns green. U-turns allowed at yellow grid lines: Yellow grid areas prohibit parking, but as long as there is no central barrier, you can make a U-turn here after yielding to oncoming traffic. U-turns permitted on the dashed side of a green belt: When the green belt has a dashed line ahead, vehicles on that side may make a U-turn. If the green belt has a solid line ahead, vehicles must obey traffic signals, cross the pedestrian crossing before making a U-turn, and must not cross the solid line or the pedestrian crossing during the U-turn.
After driving for so many years, dashed lane dividers indeed allow for turns and U-turns, and I've seen many places arranged this way on the road. Especially near intersections, as long as there are no red lights or prohibitive signs, the dashed line is your green light—for instance, on the downtown loop, I can quickly make a U-turn to another street. However, safety details must be noted. For beginners, it's essential to operate slowly, checking the rearview mirror and blind spots to ensure no cars or pedestrians are nearby. Extra caution is needed during rainy days when visibility is poor. When I was younger, I once made a U-turn at a highway entrance dashed line for convenience, nearly scraping another car, which taught me to always signal with my turn indicator first. Overall, dashed lines represent flexibility, but don’t abuse them by taking risks. Following the rules ensures smoother trips and fewer tickets.
As a frequent urban commuter, turning around at dashed lines is super convenient—I use it daily to save time on my commute. For example, on main roads with dashed line sections where there's no no-U-turn sign, I just make the turn directly. But timing is key; during rush hour when traffic is heavy, I slow down first, signal, and ensure it's safe before proceeding. The design of dashed lines allows for free lane changes, making them even more efficient when combined with traffic signals—when the light turns green, I can quickly make a U-turn onto side roads. A heads-up: dashed lines at intersections often overlap with pedestrian crossings, so I need to be extra cautious of people on the crosswalk. A moment of carelessness could lead to fines and demerit points, a lesson I learned the hard way. In short, using dashed lines is fine, but always prioritize caution.
