Which Light Should You Wait for When Making a U-Turn at an Intersection?

[StEmmanuel]

If there is a U-turn signal light and it is red, you must wait to make a U-turn; otherwise, it will be considered running a red light. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," this violation incurs: 6 penalty points and a fine of 200 yuan. If there is no U-turn signal light, and the gap is marked with a dashed line, the U-turn is not affected by traffic signals and does not require crossing the pedestrian crossing. If the gap is marked with a solid line, the U-turn must cross the pedestrian crossing and is subject to the left-turn signal. Making a direct U-turn may result in being photographed or penalized by on-site traffic police. When making a U-turn across a pedestrian crossing, you must yield to pedestrians: Pedestrians walking on the right side of the road's crosswalk, not reaching the centerline. Vehicles on the left side of the road should slow down and ensure safety before proceeding. Pedestrians waiting outside the boundary of the motorized and non-motorized lanes. If they have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and proceed safely. If pedestrians cross the boundary between motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles failing to stop are in violation and will be penalized. Once pedestrians enter the motorized lane via the crosswalk, vehicles must slow down and proceed safely. Failing to stop is a violation and will be penalized. Pedestrians waiting at the centerline without entering the motorized lane—vehicles failing to stop are in violation and will be penalized. Pedestrians crossing the centerline into the motorized lane—vehicles failing to stop are in violation and will be penalized. If the road is divided by a green belt, and pedestrians wait in the middle area, vehicles must slow down and proceed safely. Permissible U-turn scenarios: Intersections with U-turn signs allow U-turns: If there is a clear U-turn sign, U-turns are permitted. If there is a U-turn signal, follow its instructions. Without a signal, make the U-turn safely without obstructing other vehicles or pedestrians. Intersections without explicit "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs allow U-turns: If there are no prohibitive signs, U-turns are allowed. "No explicit prohibition" means no "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs, and no solid centerline. Yellow grid lines permit U-turns: Yellow grid lines indicate no-stopping zones at intersections prone to congestion. While stopping is prohibited, U-turns are allowed if there is no central barrier. Intersections with U-turn signals: Follow the signal—green means proceed. If "No Left Turn" and "U-turn Allowed" signs coexist: U-turns are permitted, but left turns are not. Note: "No U-turn" ≠ "No Left Turn." Key considerations when making a U-turn: Check road markings—solid lines prohibit U-turns under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable spot. If a "No Left Turn" sign is present, U-turns are also prohibited, as U-turns inherently involve left turns. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. U-turns from the second left-turn lane are prohibited. Always yield to oncoming traffic before making a U-turn to avoid accidents and liability. Lane arrows near intersections guide lane usage. Not all leftmost lanes have left-turn arrows—some may have straight arrows, prohibiting U-turns even without explicit signs.

[DeJake]

I've been driving for over twenty years and have seen many friends run into trouble when making U-turns at intersections. Generally, you should wait for the green light before attempting a U-turn, but it depends on the intersection setup. If it's a regular green light, you can try to make a U-turn, provided there are no oncoming vehicles. If the intersection has a left-turn arrow signal, it's safer to proceed when it turns green. However, many places have hidden traps: for example, a 'No U-turn' sign prohibits U-turns, and violating it will get you caught on camera with a 200-yuan fine. Safety always comes first, and I constantly remind myself not to rush the light, especially during peak traffic hours—patience saves a lot of hassle. I also recommend carrying a local traffic handbook, as rules vary by city. For instance, some intersections in Beijing and Shanghai allow U-turns, while others outright ban them—checking the rules beforehand never hurts.