When is a U turn illegal in California?

Question

I know that it's okay to u turn in California when there are no signs posted saying it's illegal to. But is it legal to u turn from the middle lane that breaks off ever so often from the main road to let cars turn left into a neighborhood or residential area? Maybe this is confusing, but I'm not talking about taking a u turn at an intersection with traffic lights or a stop sign. I ask this since I keep seeing Los Angeles police giving out tickets to minor infractions so I want to be safe in case I become a victim of something inane.

Okay, that was really helpful, but do you have any pictures to better illustrate this, particularly the one about the business districts where you can turn at openings that provide for turns. Does that mean where the middle lane's double yellow line breaks off for the turn and is reestablished meters ahead?

Answer 1

Actually, it is NOT legal anywhere not prohibited, because it is not legal in a business district unless permitted. Here are the rules:

Legal U-Turns

A U-turn is turning around in the street to go back the way you came. To make a U-turn, signal and use the far left lane or the center left turn lane. You may make a U-turn:

* Across a double yellow line when it is safe and legal.
* In a residential district:
-- if no vehicle approaching you is closer than 200 feet.
-- whenever a traffic sign or signal protects you from approaching vehicles.
* At an intersection on a green light or green arrow unless a “No U-turn” sign is posted.
* On a divided highway only if an opening is provided in the center divider.

Illegal U-Turns

Never make a U-turn:

* On a divided highway by crossing a dividing section, curb, strip of land, or two sets of double lines.
* Where you cannot clearly see 200 feet in each direction because of a curve, hill, rain, fog, or other reason.
* Where a “No U-Turn” sign is posted.
* When other vehicles may hit you.
* On a one-way street.
* In front of a fire station. Never use a fire station driveway to turn around.
* In business districts. Areas with churches, apartments, multiple dwelling houses, clubs, and public buildings (except schools) are also considered to be business districts. Turn only at an intersection or where openings are provided for turns.

Answer 2

According to policeman' explanation, you can do a legal u turn crossing double yellow if: 1. there is a residential area and 2. there are no other vehicles 200 foots ahead or behind your car.

Answer 3

Uh, speaking as someone whose family has lived and worked in CA for over 100 years, what are you talking about? It's funny how those of us from long-time white CA families see nothing upsetting when we look around us and the criticism seems to come from the children or grandchildren of white CA emigrants. In other words, we're used to the fact that there have always been a ton of Latinos in a state that was once part of Mexico but people moving here from areas of the US who aren't used to seeing brown-skinned people seem to freak. If you want to live in CA, get used to it. CA isn't rural Iowa or outer North Dakota. Mexico outside of the big cities which are very much Americanized, is wonderful. The language and culture is still intact and people live with dignity and feelings of self-worth.

Answer 4

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Have you been to LA lately? The areas with high numbers of illegalst are becoming the same cesspool they have down south.The process is well underway,they just haven't gotten to destroying the rest of the State yet,but they are working on it. The same happens wherever they go,go to parts of San Antonio inhabited heavily by illegals and it's just crime ridden cesspools. Fact is that for every "hard worker" coming in,there are 5 kids coming your way,2 of which will bounce in and out of your prisons,2 of whom will live off taxpayers most of their adult lives,1 decent one,and all 5 will cost taxpayers money from birth in food stamps,medicaid etc. August

Answer 5

It's illegal when U get caught.