Do You Need to Wait for a Red Light When Making a U-Turn?
3 Answers
If the U-turn signal light 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 incurs a penalty of 6 demerit points and a fine of 200 RMB. If there is no dedicated U-turn signal light, and the gap is marked with a dashed line, the U-turn is not affected by the traffic light and does not require crossing the pedestrian crossing. However, 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 light. Making a U-turn directly without following these rules may result in being photographed or penalized by on-site traffic police. When making a U-turn that requires crossing a pedestrian crossing, yielding to pedestrians is mandatory: 1. 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 must slow down and allow them to pass safely. 2. If pedestrians are waiting outside the boundary of the motorized and non-motorized lanes and have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and let them pass safely. 3. If pedestrians have crossed the boundary between motorized and non-motorized lanes, failing to stop for them is a violation and punishable. 4. If pedestrians enter the motorized lane (Lane A) from the crosswalk, vehicles in Lane B must slow down and allow them to pass safely. Failing to stop for pedestrians in Lane A is a violation and punishable. 5. If pedestrians are waiting at the centerline of the road but have not entered the motorized lane, failing to stop for them is a violation and punishable. 6. If pedestrians cross the centerline and enter the motorized lane, failing to stop for them is a violation and punishable. 7. If the road is divided by a median with greenery, and pedestrians are waiting in the central stopping area, vehicles must slow down and allow them to pass safely. Permissible U-turn scenarios: 1. If an intersection has a U-turn sign, a U-turn is allowed. 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. 2. If there is no explicit "No U-Turn" or "No Left Turn" sign at an intersection, a U-turn is allowed. The absence of such signs, along with no solid centerline, means you can proceed with the U-turn. 3. U-turns are also permitted in yellow grid zones. These zones are no-parking areas marked at intersections prone to congestion or near important facilities. While stopping in these zones is prohibited, making a U-turn is allowed unless a median barrier is present. 4. If a U-turn signal light is present, follow its instructions—only proceed on green. 5. If a "No Left Turn" sign coexists with a "U-Turn Permitted" sign, U-turns are allowed, but left turns are not. Note that "No U-Turn" and "No Left Turn" are not the same. Key considerations when making a U-turn: 1. Observe road markings—if a solid line is present, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable location. 2. If a "No Left Turn" sign is posted, U-turns are also prohibited at that intersection, as U-turns inherently involve a left-turn maneuver. 3. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. If you are in the second left-turn lane, a U-turn is not permitted. 4. Always yield to oncoming traffic when making a U-turn. Failing to do so may result in bearing full liability for any accidents. 5. Near intersection stop lines, lane arrows guide vehicle positioning. Not all leftmost lanes are for left turns—some may have straight arrows. Even if no explicit "No U-Turn" signs are present, U-turns are prohibited in such lanes.
It really depends on the specific situation. After driving for over a decade, I've found that intersection rules vary. The most common scenario is that U-turns must follow left-turn signals - making a U-turn during a red light counts as running a red light, which not only risks getting ticketed with fines and penalty points but is also extremely dangerous. However, some intersections have dedicated U-turn lanes with signs explicitly permitting U-turns on red, in which case you can proceed when safe. I remember once driving in the suburbs seeing an intersection allowing U-turns on red, but with a speeding truck approaching, I waited for green anyway. My advice: always scan carefully for signage before U-turning; when in doubt, wait for green - safety comes first.
As a novice driver, I also used to be confused about this rule, but after observing more, I understood. At most intersections, you must wait for the left-turn green light to make a U-turn because vehicles going straight are still moving during the red light—attempting a U-turn then is practically risking your life. However, some specially designed intersections are exceptions, such as those with dashed-line dividers or designated gaps, where you might not need to wait for the red light to make a U-turn. The key is to carefully observe the road markings and signs, and not blindly follow the car in front. I remember my driving instructor specifically reminding me during the test that when making a U-turn over a crosswalk, you must wait for pedestrians to finish crossing, yielding to them regardless of the traffic light.
