Do You Need to Wait for a Green Light to Make a U-Turn at an Intersection?
3 Answers
If 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. In this case, you can make a U-turn directly, provided it does not interfere with other vehicles and ensures your safety. If the gap is marked with a solid line, then the U-turn must cross the pedestrian crossing and is subject to the traffic signal. When making a U-turn that requires crossing the pedestrian crossing, you must yield to pedestrians: If pedestrians are walking on the right side of the road's crosswalk and have not reached the centerline, 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 of the motorized and non-motorized lanes and have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. If pedestrians have crossed the boundary line between the motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles must stop; failing to do so is a violation and subject to penalties. If pedestrians have entered the motorized lane (Lane A) via the crosswalk, vehicles in Lane B must slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. Failing to stop for pedestrians in Lane A is a violation and subject to penalties. If pedestrians are waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the motorized lane, vehicles must stop; failing to do so is a violation and subject to penalties. If pedestrians have crossed the centerline and entered the motorized lane, vehicles must stop; failing to do so is a violation and subject to penalties. If the road is divided by a green belt and pedestrians are waiting in the middle area, vehicles must slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. Scenarios where U-turns are allowed: If there is a U-turn sign at the intersection, you can make a U-turn. If there is a U-turn traffic signal, follow its instructions. If there is no signal, make the U-turn without interfering with other vehicles or pedestrians. If there are no explicit signs prohibiting U-turns or left turns, you can make a U-turn. This means if there are no "No U-Turn" or "No Left Turn" signs and the centerline is not solid, you can proceed with the U-turn. Yellow grid lines also allow U-turns: Yellow grid lines are no-parking zones at intersections prone to congestion. While stopping on these lines is prohibited, U-turns are allowed unless there is a central barrier. If there is a dedicated U-turn signal, follow it—only proceed on green. If signs allow U-turns but prohibit left turns, note that "No U-Turn" is not the same as "No Left Turn." Things to note when making a U-turn at an intersection: Check road markings—if they are solid, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable spot. If there is a "No Left Turn" sign, U-turns are also prohibited, as they involve a left turn. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. If you are in the second left-turn lane, you cannot make a U-turn at that intersection. Always yield to oncoming traffic when making a U-turn. Failing to do so makes you liable for any accidents. Near the stop line, lanes often have directional arrows. If the leftmost lane has a straight arrow instead of a left-turn arrow, U-turns are prohibited even if there are no explicit signs.
Having driven for many years, I often see people hesitating about making U-turns at traffic lights. First, the principle: generally, you must wait for the green light, especially the left-turn green light, before making a U-turn, as it counts as a turning maneuver. I've seen many beginners trying to save time by making a U-turn directly, nearly colliding with oncoming traffic—it's really dangerous. Don't think you can do it just because there are no cars around; if caught by a camera, you might face fines and points deducted. However, if there's a dedicated U-turn signal or a sign saying 'U-turn allowed on red,' that's an exception, but such cases are rare. Remember, safety comes first. Waiting a few seconds for the green light won't delay you much and can prevent accidents. Always pay attention to road signs and traffic signals to develop good habits.
As a new driver who just got my license, I was also confused when I first started driving—do I need to wait for the green light to make a U-turn at an intersection? My driving instructor taught me: you must wait for the left-turn green light because a U-turn is similar to a left turn, both requiring following the traffic signal. Otherwise, making a U-turn without waiting for the light not only risks a fine but could also cause a collision. Once, I tried making a U-turn without waiting at an intersection and almost got caught by a traffic camera—it was nerve-wracking. Now I understand that waiting for the light is a small trick to ensure safety. Check if there’s a 'No U-turn' sign? If not, just wait patiently for the green light. With more practice, it’ll become second nature—take it slow and steady.
