Is a U-turn allowed where left turns are permitted?
4 Answers
U-turns are allowed where left turns are permitted. Vehicles can make a U-turn at intersections where left turns are allowed and there are no signs or markings prohibiting U-turns. Precautions when making a U-turn are as follows: Vehicles should proceed according to the left-turn signal without affecting the normal movement of other vehicles. If making a U-turn at an intersection with a left-turn waiting area, you can first enter the left-turn waiting area when the straight signal is green and wait until the left-turn signal turns green before making the U-turn. Other situations where U-turns are permitted include: Presence of U-turn signals or signs: When there is a U-turn signal at an intersection, a U-turn can be made when the U-turn signal is green. If there is a U-turn sign at the intersection or a U-turn marking on the lane, a U-turn can be made while ensuring the safety of yourself and others. U-turns are allowed at dashed lines: Whether it's a white or yellow dashed line, U-turns are permitted. For double yellow lines where one side is dashed and the other is solid, check if your side is the dashed line. If it is, you can make a U-turn safely; if it's solid, U-turns are not allowed. If encountering such lines at an intersection, you can make a U-turn on the dashed side but must not cross the stop line ahead. U-turns are allowed at yellow grid lines: Parking is prohibited in yellow grid areas, but as long as there is no central barrier, you can make a U-turn here after yielding to normally moving vehicles. U-turns are allowed on the dashed side of a green belt: When the front of the green belt is a dashed line, vehicles on that side can make a U-turn there. When the front of the green belt is a solid line, vehicles must follow the traffic signal, cross the zebra crossing before making a U-turn, and must not cross the solid line or the zebra crossing to make a U-turn.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, I have deep insights into this issue. Whether U-turns are allowed at intersections permitting left turns primarily depends on road markings and signage. If there's no 'No U-turn' sign and the lane center is a dashed line, you can generally make a U-turn with confidence. On urban arterial roads I frequently travel, I've noticed many intersections share the same waiting area for both left turns and U-turns. However, remember these special scenarios: never attempt a U-turn over double solid yellow lines, wait for the left-turn green light at signalized intersections, and most overlooked – never U-turn within crosswalk zones. Last week while driving my child to school, I witnessed a vehicle being stopped by traffic police for making a U-turn on a crosswalk. Safety-wise, pay extra attention to oncoming straight-moving vehicles – some novice drivers turn their wheels too sharply during U-turns, risking curb scrapes.
The driving instructor taught me a practical tip: Allowing a left turn ≠ allowing a U-turn. Every time you approach an intersection, scan three spots—check above for a round 'No U-turn' sign, see if the center line on the ground is a yellow dashed line, and look for any additional signs on the roadside. Especially in special sections like mall exits, don’t assume you can make a U-turn just because a left turn is allowed. Once at the Wanda Plaza exit, even though the left-turn signal was on, I nearly got a ticket because I missed the 'No U-turn' sign posted nearby. When executing a U-turn, remember to turn the steering wheel fully, and for longer vehicles like SUVs, leave enough space. Be extra cautious during heavy rain or at night when visibility is poor—it’s best to choose intersections with dedicated left-turn arrow signals.
Refer to the traffic regulations for clarity. Article 49 of the Road Traffic Safety Law stipulates: U-turns are permitted at intersections where left turns are allowed unless explicitly prohibited by signage. However, three prerequisites must be observed: 1) Do not cross pedestrian crossings, 2) Do not obstruct oncoming traffic, and 3) Always yield to pedestrians. Some cities have implemented constantly illuminated green lights for right-turn lanes, which may affect U-turn timing judgment. I recommend observing preceding vehicles' maneuvers in unfamiliar areas and following local drivers' U-turn spot selections for optimal safety. There are also techniques for vehicle control – sedans can utilize the curvature of outer lanes for U-turns, while long-wheelbase vehicles like MPVs require special attention to rear wheel trajectories.
