Is it mandatory to use the leftmost lane for a U-turn in two left-turn lanes?
5 Answers
When making a U-turn in two left-turn lanes, it is not mandatory to use the leftmost lane, as long as it does not affect the normal movement of vehicles in the relevant lanes. Scenarios where U-turns are prohibited are as follows: U-turns are prohibited where there is a 'No U-turn' or 'No Left Turn' sign: If there is a sign prohibiting U-turns, then U-turns are not allowed at that intersection. Since a U-turn is an extension of a left turn, intersections with 'No Left Turn' signs also prohibit U-turns. U-turns are prohibited at crosswalks: U-turns are not allowed at crosswalks. If a U-turn is permitted at an intersection, it must be executed after crossing the crosswalk, not on top of it. U-turns are prohibited when there is no left-turn lane: Even in the leftmost lane, U-turns are not allowed if there is no sign permitting left turns. U-turns are prohibited within the second left-turn lane: Vehicles cannot make U-turns when stopped in the second left-turn lane. In the absence of any directional signs, U-turns are only permitted in the innermost left-turn lane.
I've been driving a taxi for ten years and have seen many such situations. When making a U-turn from two left-turn lanes, according to regulations, you should indeed use the leftmost lane. As clearly stated in the traffic laws, a U-turn is a special form of a left turn and must be performed in the leftmost lane. However, in actual driving, I've noticed that some intersections have U-turn arrows painted on the second lane, allowing U-turns in such special cases. The safest approach is to check the road markings and signs a few hundred meters in advance, especially for beginners—don’t risk taking the wrong lane, as getting caught on camera could mean 3 points and a 200-yuan fine. I remember last year in the city center, I saw a car forcibly making a U-turn from the right left-turn lane and nearly colliding with an oncoming electric bike.
When I was learning to drive, my instructor repeatedly emphasized that making a U-turn must be done from the leftmost lane. The principle is simple: a U-turn requires crossing the opposite lane, and only the innermost lane provides enough space for a wide turn. If you attempt a U-turn from the second left-turn lane, the turning radius is insufficient, making it easy to scrape the curb or block vehicles behind you that intend to turn left. However, I once encountered a special intersection in a development zone where the left lane had straight and left-turn arrows, while the right lane had a U-turn sign—this was an exception. In short, don’t be rigid; the key to driving is paying close attention to road signs. Also, a reminder: never make a U-turn at tunnel entrances or railway crossings, no matter how many lanes there are.
This depends on the city. During my long-distance drives, I noticed that Beijing and Shanghai generally require U-turns from the leftmost lane, but in Chengdu and Chongqing, some mountain road intersections make the second lane more convenient. The principle lies in the steering angle: compact cars only need one and a half turns of the wheel for a U-turn from the inner lane, whereas using the outer lane requires full lock, which puts more strain on the steering mechanism. However, many intersections now have smart signage that dynamically changes lane functions during peak hours. Last week in Suzhou, I saw that during off-peak times, U-turns were only allowed from the leftmost lane, but during evening rush hour, the second lane's light panel displayed a green U-turn arrow. So, I recommend rolling down your window to listen for any voice prompts and checking the electronic indicator boards next to the traffic lights.
The key is to observe the road markings. Most cities stipulate that U-turns are only permitted from the innermost lane of a dual left-turn lane setup, primarily because it involves crossing into oncoming traffic. However, last week in Yuhang District, Hangzhou, I encountered an exception—a three-lane intersection where the middle lane was unexpectedly marked with both a U-turn and left-turn arrow. So my advice is: First, reduce speed and clearly identify the lane arrows; if there's a U-turn symbol, you're good to go. If no marking is present, default to using the leftmost lane. Also, pay attention to the solid yellow line positioning—if the intersection center has double solid yellows, no lane permits direct U-turns; you must proceed past the crosswalk before turning.
