Is a U-turn allowed where left turns are prohibited?
3 Answers
At intersections where left turns are prohibited, U-turns are also not allowed. If a U-turn is made in a no-U-turn zone, according to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," the violator will be fined 200 yuan and receive 3 penalty points. Generally, on long roads, solid lines, dashed lines, or no-U-turn signs are present in the middle sections or before intersections. If the line is a yellow dashed line or white dashed line without any prohibition signs, a U-turn is allowed. However, U-turns are prohibited if there are solid lines or prohibition signs. Scenarios where U-turns are permitted: Intersections with U-turn signs: If there is a clear U-turn sign at the intersection, a U-turn is allowed. If there is a U-turn traffic light, follow its instructions. In the absence of a traffic light, make the U-turn based on the situation without obstructing other vehicles or pedestrians. Intersections without explicit no-U-turn or no-left-turn signs: If there are no explicit signs prohibiting U-turns, they are allowed. "No explicit prohibition" means the absence of signs like "No U-turn," "No Left Turn," or solid central lines. In such cases, U-turns can be made confidently. Yellow grid zones: Yellow grid lines are no-stopping zones, typically marked at intersections prone to congestion due to temporary stops, important facility entrances, or other designated areas. Stopping (including waiting at traffic lights) on these grids is a violation. Although stopping is prohibited, U-turns are allowed in yellow grid zones unless a central barrier is present. These zones effectively permit U-turns. Intersections with U-turn traffic lights: This is straightforward—if there is a U-turn traffic light, proceed only when it is green. When "No Left Turn" and "U-turn Permitted" signs coexist: U-turns are allowed, but left turns are prohibited. Note that "No U-turn" and "No Left Turn" are not the same. Precautions when making U-turns at intersections: Observe road markings. If solid lines are present, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable spot. If a "No Left Turn" sign is displayed, U-turns are also prohibited at that intersection, even if no explicit "No U-turn" sign exists, as U-turns inherently involve left-turning movements. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. If in the second left-turn lane, U-turns are not permitted at that intersection. Yield to oncoming traffic when making a U-turn. Proceed only if it does not interfere with straight-moving vehicles; otherwise, you bear full liability for any accidents. Near stop lines at intersections, lanes often have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane may not always have a left-turn arrow—some may have straight arrows. Even without explicit no-U-turn signs, U-turns are prohibited in such lanes. U-turns must not be made on pedestrian crosswalks, as this is also a violation.
I've been driving for almost fifteen years, and I never dare to make a U-turn at intersections where left turns are prohibited. Mainly because a U-turn is more complicated than a left turn—it’s like making two consecutive turns, requiring more time and space. Although traffic rules don’t explicitly ban U-turns, law enforcement usually treats them the same as left turns. Last month, I saw a car get pulled over by traffic police for making a U-turn at a no-left-turn intersection, with the reason being it obstructed straight-moving traffic. So, my advice is: when you see a no-left-turn sign, just keep driving forward and look for intersections marked with U-turn arrows or gaps in the median—those are the safest spots. If you’re really in a hurry to turn around, at least check for traffic cameras within a hundred meters before making your move.
When I first got my driver's license, I was also puzzled by this question and specifically consulted my driving instructor. He said whether U-turns are allowed when left turns are prohibited depends on the actual conditions at the intersection: if there's a gap in the median strip and no 'No U-turn' sign, it's usually permissible; but with solid double yellow lines or full barriers, forget about it. The key is to judge by combining road markings and roadside signs, not just looking at a single indicator. For example, at the South City intersection I frequently pass, although there's a 'No Left Turn' sign, there's a dedicated U-turn arrow marked on the road, so U-turns are still allowed. The core principle to remember is: only attempt a U-turn if you're sure it won't block other vehicles.
