Do You Need to Wait for a Red Light When Making a U-Turn at an Intersection?

[AveryMarie]

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 offense carries a penalty of 6 demerit points and a fine of 200 yuan. If there is no U-turn signal 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 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 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 given the right of way: 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 must 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 must slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. If pedestrians cross the boundary line between the motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles that do not stop and yield are committing a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians enter the motorized lane (Lane A) via the crosswalk, vehicles in Lane B must slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. Vehicles in Lane A that do not stop and yield are committing a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians are waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the motorized lane, vehicles that do not stop and yield are committing a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians cross the centerline of the road and enter the motorized lane, vehicles that do not stop and yield are committing a violation and should be penalized. If the road is divided by a green belt, and pedestrians are waiting in the median 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 signal light, follow its instructions. If there is no signal light, 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, you can make a U-turn. "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, typically marked at intersections prone to congestion due to temporary stops, 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 as long as there are no central barriers—equivalent to "U-turn allowed." If there is a U-turn signal light, follow it—only proceed on green. If "No Left Turn" and "U-turn Allowed" signs appear together, U-turns are permitted, but left turns are prohibited. 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 motion. 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. Only proceed with a U-turn if it does not interfere with straight-moving traffic; otherwise, you will bear full liability for any accidents. Near the intersection stop line, lanes usually have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane is not always a left-turn lane. If it has a straight arrow, U-turns are prohibited even if there are no explicit "No U-turn" signs.

[MacRemington]

I remember when I first started driving, this issue always confused me. Actually, whether you need to wait for a red light to make a U-turn at an intersection mainly depends on local traffic regulations and signal settings. In most places in our country, making a U-turn at a red light at a crossroads is usually strictly prohibited unless there is a special U-turn green arrow signal. Once, I was in a hurry and tried to make a U-turn at a green light but didn’t notice the road signs clearly—I nearly collided with an oncoming car, which gave me quite a scare. Since then, I’ve developed a habit: always checking the traffic light status and ground signs before making a U-turn—safety first. Even when making a U-turn at a green light, ensure there are no cars in the opposite lane—don’t take risks. Rules vary by city; for example, some major intersections in Beijing have dedicated U-turn signals, so patiently waiting for the light to change is the safest approach. If you make a U-turn at a red light, you could face points deduction, fines, or even cause an accident. So, to be safe, it’s best to wait for the green light before moving.