Under What Circumstances Is a U-Turn Not Allowed?

[Sebastian]

Under what circumstances is a U-turn not allowed? 1. Intersections with a no U-turn sign prohibit U-turns. If a U-turn is made at such an intersection and is captured by cameras or caught by traffic police, you will lose 3 points on your license. 2. Intersections with a no left turn sign also prohibit U-turns. If there is a 'no left turn' sign, it means U-turns are not allowed either, unless there is an additional explicit 'U-turn permitted' sign at the intersection, in which case you may perform a U-turn as indicated. 3. If the leftmost lane has a straight arrow, U-turns are not allowed. Traffic regulations state that U-turns are permitted at locations without no U-turn or no left turn signs or markings. However, you must check whether the center line on the ground in the U-turn lane is dashed. If it is solid, U-turns are not allowed; if it is dashed, U-turns are permitted. If it is a double yellow line, check whether your side is dashed. If it is dashed, U-turns are allowed; otherwise, they are not permitted.

[AndresDella]

I think there are quite a few situations where U-turns are not allowed, mainly depending on traffic signs and actual road conditions. The most obvious ones are intersections with no U-turn signs or sections with double solid yellow lines—absolutely no U-turns there. Making a U-turn on sharp curves, bridges, or inside tunnels is like playing with your life because the blind spots are huge, and oncoming traffic won’t see you. At crossroads without left-turn signals, you also need to be careful—some places only allow U-turns on red lights, and doing it on green could block straight-moving traffic. Forcing a U-turn on main roads during rush hour not only risks a fine but could also cause major traffic jams. Near school entrances or pedestrian crossings, U-turns are a no-go as they increase the risk of hitting students suddenly crossing the road. The key is to observe carefully before attempting a U-turn—better to take a detour than take unnecessary risks.

[MacLuke]

After driving for a long time, I've realized that making U-turns on certain road sections can be extremely dangerous. For example, at railway crossings, the proximity between the tracks and the intersection makes it impossible to avoid an oncoming train during a U-turn. Near highway or urban expressway entrances and exits, U-turns are not only illegal but also highly dangerous due to the significant speed difference between vehicles. I've witnessed someone attempting a U-turn on an unlit rural road at night, only to crash into a roadside tree stump. Making U-turns on sections where ambulances or fire trucks pass can block emergency lanes, which is harmful to both yourself and others. Also, avoid trying U-turns on roads with severe water accumulation, as wheels can easily skid and lose control. Remember, U-turns are strictly prohibited at crosswalks—yielding to pedestrians should always be the top priority.

[CarterAnn]

This reminds me of a friend's unfortunate experience. He got 3 points deducted for making a U-turn on a one-way street, which is the most easily overlooked spot. Never attempt a U-turn at intersections with no-left-turn signs – traffic regulations link these two. On road sections with center dividers, forcing a U-turn without a proper gap will lead to hitting concrete barriers. Also, bus lanes – using them for U-turns will get you caught on camera. Key reminder: Making U-turns at active accident scenes might destroy evidence, earning you an instant ticket from traffic police. During holidays, temporary no-U-turn signs often appear near tourist attractions. The trickiest are some newly built roads where U-turns seem possible but solid lines are cleverly concealed – even experienced drivers get caught.