Do I Need to Wait for the Left Turn Signal When Making a U-Turn in the Left Turn Lane?

[DelJocelyn]

If there is a U-turn signal and it is red, you must wait to make a U-turn; otherwise, it will be considered running a red light. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," this will result in: 6 penalty points and a fine of 200 yuan. If there is no U-turn signal, and the gap is marked with a dashed line, the U-turn is not affected by the traffic signal and does not require crossing the pedestrian crossing. If the gap is marked with a solid line, the U-turn must cross the pedestrian crossing and is subject to the left turn signal. Making a U-turn directly may result in being photographed or penalized by on-site traffic police. When making a U-turn that requires crossing the pedestrian crossing, pedestrians must be yielded to: If pedestrians are walking on the right side of the crosswalk and have not reached the centerline of the road, vehicles on the left side of the road should slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. If pedestrians are waiting outside the boundary line between the motorized and non-motorized lanes and have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. If pedestrians cross the boundary line between the motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles failing to stop and yield constitute a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians enter the motorized lane (Lane A) along the crosswalk, vehicles in Lane B should slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. Vehicles in Lane A failing to stop and yield constitute a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians are waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the motorized lane, vehicles failing to stop and yield constitute a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians cross the centerline of the road and enter the lane, vehicles failing to stop and yield constitute a violation and should be penalized. If the road is divided by a green belt and pedestrians are waiting in the central stopping area, vehicles must slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. Permissible U-turn scenarios: If there is a U-turn sign at the intersection, a U-turn is allowed. If there is a U-turn signal, follow the signal's instructions. If there is no signal, make the U-turn based on the specific situation, ensuring it does not obstruct other vehicles or pedestrians. If the intersection does not explicitly prohibit U-turns or left turns, a U-turn is allowed. "No explicit prohibition" means there are no "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs, and the centerline is not solid. U-turns are also allowed in yellow grid zones. Yellow grid lines indicate no-stopping zones at intersections prone to congestion, important entrances, or other designated areas. Stopping in these zones (including waiting for traffic lights) is a violation. However, U-turns are permitted in yellow grid zones unless there is a central barrier, as they are equivalent to "U-turn allowed." If there is a U-turn signal at the intersection, follow the signal—only proceed on green. If "No Left Turn" and "U-turn allowed" signs appear together, U-turns are permitted but left turns are not. Note that "No U-turn" is not the same as "No Left Turn." Precautions when making a U-turn at an intersection: Observe road markings. If the line is solid, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable U-turn location. If there is a "No Left Turn" sign, even if there is no explicit "No U-turn" sign, U-turns are not allowed at that intersection, as U-turns inherently involve a left turn. U-turns must be made from the innermost left turn lane. If you are in the second left turn lane, U-turns are not permitted at that intersection. Always yield to straight-moving vehicles when making a U-turn. Proceed only if it does not interfere with their normal flow; otherwise, you will bear full responsibility for any accidents. Near the intersection stop line, lanes often have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane may not always have a left turn arrow. If it has a straight arrow, U-turns are prohibited even if there are no explicit "No U-turn" signs.