Do I need to wait for the left turn signal when making a U-turn?

[LeMartin]

If there is a U-turn indicator light 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 violation carries a penalty of 6 demerit points and a fine of 200 yuan. If there is no U-turn indicator light, 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 crosswalk. If the gap is marked with a solid line, the U-turn must cross the crosswalk 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. If you need to cross the crosswalk to make a U-turn, you must yield to pedestrians: Pedestrians walking on the right side of the crosswalk without reaching the centerline of the road. Vehicles on the left side of the road must slow down and ensure safety before proceeding through the crosswalk. Pedestrians waiting outside the boundary between motorized and non-motorized lanes. If they have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and proceed through the crosswalk after ensuring safety. If pedestrians cross the boundary between motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles failing to stop are committing a violation and will be penalized. Once pedestrians enter the motorized lane via the crosswalk, vehicles must slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. Failing to stop is a violation and will be penalized. Pedestrians waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the motorized lane. Vehicles failing to stop are committing a violation and will be penalized. Pedestrians crossing the centerline and entering the motorized lane. Vehicles failing to stop are committing a violation and will be penalized. If the road is divided by a median with greenery, pedestrians waiting in the median area require vehicles to slow down and proceed through the crosswalk after ensuring safety. Scenarios where U-turns are allowed: Intersections with U-turn signs: If there is a clear U-turn sign at the intersection, a U-turn is permitted. If there is a U-turn signal light, follow its instructions. If no signal light exists, make the U-turn without obstructing other vehicles or pedestrians. Intersections without explicit "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs: If there are no explicit prohibitions, U-turns are allowed. "No explicit prohibition" means the absence of "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs and no solid centerline. Yellow grid lines also permit U-turns: Yellow grid lines indicate no-stopping zones at intersections prone to congestion or near important facilities. While stopping on these lines is prohibited (including waiting for traffic lights), U-turns are allowed unless a median barrier is present. Intersections with U-turn signal lights: If a U-turn signal light exists, follow its instructions—only proceed on green. When "No Left Turn" and "U-turn Allowed" signs coexist: U-turns are permitted, but left turns are not. Note that "No U-turn" does not equate to "No Left Turn." Precautions when making U-turns at intersections: Check road markings. If solid lines are present, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable location. If a "No Left Turn" sign is posted, U-turns are also prohibited at that intersection, even if "No U-turn" is not explicitly stated, as U-turns inherently involve a left turn. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. If in the second left-turn lane, U-turns are not permitted at that intersection. Always yield to oncoming traffic when making a U-turn. Proceed only if it does not interfere with straight-moving vehicles; otherwise, you bear full responsibility for any accidents. Near intersection stop lines, lanes often have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane may not always have a left-turn arrow—some have straight arrows. Even without explicit "No U-turn" signs, U-turns are prohibited in such lanes.

[SanAlina]

It depends on the intersection design! As a veteran driver with over a decade of experience, I can tell you there are two scenarios: If there's a dedicated left-turn arrow signal, you must wait for it to turn green before making a U-turn—doing so on red counts as running a red light. But if there's only a circular green light, you usually don't need to wait for the left-turn signal. Pay attention to whether there are no-U-turn signs on the road. Never make a U-turn over solid double yellow lines; only dashed lines are safe. When there are oncoming straight-moving vehicles, never cut them off—be extra cautious at night when visibility is poor. Last week, my buddy got fined and penalized for not waiting for the signal—total nightmare! Safety first—if you're unsure about the intersection conditions, it's better to wait for another cycle.

[McKaylee]

As a commuter who drives on city roads every day, my experience is to pay attention to the type of traffic lights. At intersections with dedicated left-turn traffic lights, you must wait for the green light—otherwise, getting caught by the camera means a 6-point deduction and a 200-yuan fine. At intersections with regular circular lights, you can make a U-turn directly, but you must confirm there are no prohibition signs and operate from the leftmost lane. What’s easily overlooked is oncoming straight-moving vehicles—many new drivers nowadays accelerate aggressively, making it extremely dangerous to U-turn before they’ve passed. It’s advisable to turn on the indicator 200 meters in advance to alert trailing vehicles, slow down at the intersection, observe carefully, and then act. Safety is far more important than saving time.

[StMelanie]

It depends on the specific traffic rules. My driving instructor told me: U-turns are prohibited when the left-turn arrow is red, but allowed when the circular green light is on. However, three points should be noted: first, check the road markings - making a U-turn over double solid lines is a violation; second, observe if there are any no U-turn signs; third, check if there are vehicles going straight in the opposite lane - yield before proceeding. Intersection signal systems can be complex, when in doubt, following the vehicle ahead is the safest approach.

[StRyder]

I've learned a painful lesson from this kind of situation! Last year, I made an illegal U-turn in the city without waiting for the dedicated left-turn signal and got caught by a traffic camera running a red light, which cost me 6 points. A traffic police friend told me the judgment principle is simple: At intersections with left-turn arrow signals, you must obey them, following the same rules as left-turning vehicles; without dedicated signals, follow the circular signal. Many people also forget to check auxiliary signs, like those saying 'U-turn permitted when green light is on.' In practice, I always remind myself: stop and observe before pedestrian crossings, don't obstruct pedestrians, and use headlights at night for better visibility.

[DiBryce]

Referring to Article 38 of the Traffic Law, it states that motor vehicles must proceed according to traffic signals. Focus on observing three key positions at intersections: First, the type of traffic signal - dedicated arrow signals must be strictly obeyed; second, the road markings - yellow dashed lines indicate legal U-turn zones; and finally, oncoming traffic - U-turns can only be safely completed when there are no straight-moving vehicles. Special reminder: exercise extra caution when making U-turns during rainy or foggy weather as electric vehicles may hide in blind spots of rearview mirrors. Develop the habit of slowing down 50 meters before entering an intersection during daily driving, and don't risk saving just a few seconds.