Is a U-turn allowed at a left-turn red light?
2 Answers
A U-turn is not allowed at a left-turn red light. If there is a 'No U-turn' sign at the intersection, then U-turns are prohibited at that intersection. The action of making a U-turn is an extension of a left turn, so if there is a 'No Left Turn' sign at the intersection, U-turns are also prohibited. Other situations where U-turns are prohibited are as follows: U-turns are prohibited at crosswalks: U-turns are not allowed at crosswalks. If at an intersection where U-turns are permitted, you must cross the crosswalk before making a U-turn; you cannot make a U-turn on the crosswalk. U-turns are prohibited when there is no left-turn lane: Even if you are in the leftmost lane, if there is no sign permitting left turns, U-turns are not allowed. U-turns are prohibited within the second left-turn lane: When a vehicle is stopped in the second left-turn lane, it cannot make a U-turn. In the absence of any directional signs, vehicles can only make U-turns from the innermost left-turn lane. U-turns are prohibited at solid yellow lines: U-turns are not allowed at solid yellow lines. Even if there is a sign permitting U-turns, you must wait for the green light and cross the stop line before making a U-turn. U-turns are prohibited on highways: Crossing the central divider to make a U-turn on a highway is illegal and will result in a fine and 12 demerit points. If you miss an exit on the highway, continue driving to the next exit to leave the highway; never attempt an illegal U-turn out of recklessness.
Having driven for over a decade as someone constantly on the road, I can tell you that making a U-turn at a left-turn red light really depends on the intersection situation. If the traffic light is a standard circular one without any no-U-turn signs, you can usually make a U-turn safely while yielding to all through traffic and pedestrians—this is permitted in many cities like Guangzhou and Shanghai. However, when it’s an arrow signal, U-turns are strictly prohibited on red; otherwise, it’s considered running a red light and carries a fine. Safety is key—I’ve seen many drivers force U-turns causing accidents, leading to chain-reaction collisions, resulting in fines, points, and wasted time. Always review local traffic manuals before driving. For example, Beijing has strict rules, only allowing U-turns at specific intersections—don’t rely on gut feelings. Make it a habit to check signs carefully at unfamiliar intersections to avoid penalties.
