How many points will be deducted for driving straight in a U-turn lane?
2 Answers
According to Article 51 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China", violators will be penalized with 3 demerit points. Driving straight in a U-turn lane is considered a violation of traffic prohibition signs or markings. However, if the lane is designated for both U-turns and straight driving, no points will be deducted. Permissible U-turn situations: Intersections with U-turn signs: If there is a clear U-turn sign at the intersection, U-turns are allowed. If there is a U-turn traffic light, follow its instructions. If there is no traffic light, make a U-turn without obstructing other vehicles or pedestrians. Intersections without explicit "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs: U-turns are allowed if there are no explicit prohibitions. This means the absence of "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs, and the centerline is not solid. Yellow grid lines: Yellow grid lines indicate no-stopping zones, typically at intersections prone to congestion or near important facilities. While stopping on these lines is prohibited, U-turns are allowed unless there is a central barrier. Intersections with U-turn traffic lights: If a U-turn traffic light is present, U-turns are only allowed when the light is green. Simultaneous "No Left Turn" and "U-turn Allowed" signs: U-turns are permitted even if left turns are prohibited. Note that "No U-turn" is not the same as "No Left Turn". Precautions when making U-turns: Observe road markings: U-turns are not allowed on solid lines; proceed to find a suitable location. If there is a "No Left Turn" sign, U-turns are also prohibited, as U-turns inherently involve a left turn. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane; U-turns from the second left-turn lane are not allowed. Yield to straight-moving vehicles before making a U-turn to avoid accidents and full liability. Check lane arrows: If the leftmost lane has a straight arrow instead of a left-turn arrow, U-turns are not allowed even without explicit prohibitions. U-turns on pedestrian crosswalks are prohibited and considered violations.
When driving, I pay special attention to road markings. If you go straight in a lane designated only for U-turns, it’s a violation, typically resulting in a 3-point deduction from your driving record and a fine of around 200 yuan. While it may seem minor, it involves safety risks—proceeding straight can catch vehicles behind preparing to make a U-turn off guard, easily leading to rear-end collisions or side swipes. I once witnessed a friend narrowly avoid an accident after rushing straight through, and it still gives me chills. Road signs are designed to keep traffic orderly, and ignoring them is not only dangerous but can also block the entire lane. Before hitting the road, I always remind myself to choose lanes in advance, check arrow signs carefully, especially near intersections, and avoid last-minute lane changes. Developing this habit protects everyone—safety is far more important than saving a few minutes.
