Do you need to wait for the left turn signal when making a U-turn to the left?
2 Answers
If there is a U-turn signal and it is red, you must wait; 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, then 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. If the gap is marked with a solid line, then 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. If you need to cross the pedestrian crossing to make a U-turn, you must yield to pedestrians: Pedestrians walking on the right side of the road's crosswalk, not reaching the centerline of the road. Vehicles driving on the left side of the road should slow down and, on the basis of ensuring safety, allow pedestrians to pass through the crosswalk. Pedestrians waiting outside the boundary line of the motorized and non-motorized lanes. If they have not entered the road, vehicles should slow down and, on the basis of ensuring safety, allow them to pass through the crosswalk. When 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. After pedestrians enter the motorized lane (Lane A) along the crosswalk, vehicles in Lane B should slow down and, on the basis of ensuring safety, allow them to pass through the crosswalk. If vehicles in Lane A do not stop and yield, it is a violation and should be penalized. Pedestrians waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the motorized lanes. If vehicles do not stop and yield, it is a violation and should be penalized. Pedestrians crossing the centerline of the road and entering the lanes. If vehicles do not stop and yield, it is a violation and should be penalized. If the road is divided by a green belt, pedestrians waiting in the middle of the road must be yielded to. Vehicles should slow down and, on the basis of ensuring safety, allow them to pass through the crosswalk. Cases where U-turns are allowed: Intersections with U-turn signs: If there is a clear U-turn sign at the intersection, a U-turn can be made. 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 hinder other vehicles or pedestrians. Intersections without clear prohibitions on U-turns or left turns: If there is no clear prohibition on U-turns, then a U-turn can be made. "No clear prohibition" means there are no "No U-turn" signs, "No left turn" signs, or solid centerlines, etc., in which case you can confidently make a U-turn. Yellow grid lines also allow U-turns: Yellow grid lines are no-parking zones marked at intersections prone to congestion due to temporary parking, important unit entrances, and other necessary locations. Any vehicle stopping on these grid lines (including waiting for traffic lights) is a violation. Although parking is not allowed in yellow grid zones, U-turns are permitted. As long as there is no central barrier, yellow grid lines are equivalent to "U-turn allowed." Intersections with U-turn signals: This is straightforward. If there is a U-turn signal, you must follow it; only proceed on green. If "No left turn" and "U-turn allowed" signs appear together: U-turns are allowed, but left turns are prohibited. However, "No U-turn" is not the same as "No left turn." Things to note when making a U-turn at an intersection: Observe road markings. If they are solid lines, U-turns are not allowed under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable U-turn location. If there is a "No left turn" sign ahead, even if it does not mention U-turns, U-turns are not allowed at that intersection because U-turns and left turns are similar actions, and a U-turn always involves a left turn first. 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 straight-moving vehicles before making a U-turn. Only proceed if it does not interfere with the normal flow of straight-moving vehicles; otherwise, you will bear full responsibility for any accidents. Near the intersection stop line, lanes usually have guiding arrows for vehicles to choose their direction. The leftmost lane does not always have a left turn arrow. On some roads, if there is a straight arrow, even without explicit "No U-turn" signs, U-turns are not allowed.
As a veteran taxi driver with 15 years of experience, whether to wait for the left-turn signal when making a U-turn depends on specific circumstances. If there's a dedicated left-turn arrow signal at the intersection, you must wait for the green light to make a U-turn; otherwise, it's considered running a red light with a 6-point penalty. If the intersection only has a circular traffic light, you can directly make a U-turn when the straight-going signal is green, provided it's safe. However, pay special attention to road markings—some left-turn lanes have solid lines prohibiting U-turns, and crossing them constitutes a violation. Also, at night when encountering intersections without traffic signals, remember to use your turn signal and check oncoming traffic before making a U-turn—never rush it.
