Will You Definitely Be Caught Making a U-Turn on a Single Yellow Line?
2 Answers
If you make a U-turn on a single yellow dashed line without affecting normal traffic, you will not be caught. However, making a U-turn on a single solid yellow line will be recorded as a traffic violation. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," violators will be fined 200 yuan and receive 3 demerit points. Generally, on long roads, solid or dashed white or yellow lines are often found in the middle section or before intersections. U-turns are prohibited on any solid line. Permissible U-turn situations: Intersections with U-turn signs: If there is a clear U-turn sign at an intersection, you can make a U-turn. If there is a U-turn traffic light, you must follow its instructions. If there is no traffic light, make the U-turn without obstructing other vehicles or pedestrians. Intersections without explicit no-U-turn or no-left-turn signs: If there is no clear prohibition against U-turns, you can make a U-turn. "No explicit prohibition" means the intersection lacks signs like "No U-turn," "No Left Turn," or a solid center line. Yellow grid lines also allow U-turns: Yellow grid lines are no-parking zones, typically marked at intersections prone to congestion, important entrances, or other designated areas. Parking (including waiting at traffic lights) on these lines is a violation. However, U-turns are allowed on yellow grid lines as long as there is no central barrier, effectively making them "U-turn permitted" zones. Intersections with U-turn traffic lights: This is straightforward—if there is a U-turn light, you can only turn when it is green. Simultaneous no-left-turn and U-turn-permitted signs: U-turns are allowed even if left turns are prohibited, but "No U-turn" does not mean "No Left Turn." Precautions when making U-turns at intersections: Check road markings—if it's a solid line, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable spot. If there is a "No Left Turn" sign, even without a "No U-turn" sign, U-turns are not allowed because the actions are similar (a U-turn requires a left turn first). U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. If you are in the second left-turn lane, you cannot make a U-turn at that intersection. Always yield to oncoming traffic. If you interfere with their right of way, you will bear full responsibility for any accidents. Near intersection stop lines, lanes often have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane may not always have a left-turn arrow—if it has a straight arrow, U-turns are prohibited even without explicit signs. Making U-turns on crosswalks is also a traffic violation.
I also used to think it was okay to occasionally make a U-turn over a single yellow line until I got caught by an electronic eye on a main city road. A single yellow line indicates no crossing, and as long as there are surveillance cameras on the road, there's a 99% chance you'll be recorded if you cross the line for a U-turn. Especially during peak hours at intersections, near schools and hospitals, and at on/off ramps of overpasses, the cameras are always watching. However, in suburban areas with less traffic and single yellow lines, some experienced drivers often make U-turns, mainly because surveillance coverage is incomplete. But don't bet on the odds—the time I got caught was at 3 PM when traffic was sparse, resulting in a 3-point deduction and a 200-yuan fine. Now, I'd rather drive an extra 300 meters to a dashed line or intersection to make a U-turn.
