In the USA is it legal to do a U turn at a traffic light controlled intersection?

Question

I'm from Australia going to the USA and will be driving mostly in California. Is it permissible to make a right turn on a red traffic signal? Is it legal to do a U turn at a traffic light controlled intersection? Are there any road rules that pertain only to the USA that I should be aware of other than the obvious ones like the ‘Keep right’ rule? Thank you kindly.

Answer 1

Unless otherwise sign-posted you can turn right on a red light after coming to a full stop if the way is clear. Do watch for pedestrians, though! You generally may make a U-Turn at a controlled intersection, again unless it's prohibited by posted signs.

For the most part it's common sense for the rest of the rules of the road. Keep right of course. Zero tolerance for drink-driving. Speed limit tolerance is generally less than 5 MPH. A speeding citation for less than 15 MPH over and most other minor infractions can generally be mailed in. The points won't follow you back to Oz so that would be the expeditious way to handle it.

One thing to watch out for here though is that it's legal to overtake on the "wrong" side in nearly all states. Normally one overtakes on the left (opposite of Oz of course) but it is also legal to overtake on the right on most highways and multi-lane surface roads. So before you change lanes in either direction, clear for overtaking traffic regardless of which direction you're going!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

If I were you, I would go to the Dept of Motor Vehicles and pick up a Driver's Handbook. It contains the rules of the road, which you should study so that you become familiar with them and use while driving.
A driving lesson or two would be of good use as well.
If you lived in Australia, you also have to become familiar with driving on the opposite side of the road in North America.
As far as U-turns are concerned, in most places a U-turn may only be made at an intersection without a light (unless there is a prohibitive sign), and you never have any right of way You must also obey whatever signs are at that intersection. U-turns are not usually allowed between intersections and this is a fineable offence.
There may be an occasional intersection with a special light intended for U-turns.

Answer 4

Yes, a right turn is almost always allowed as long as you are in the very last right lane, sometimes there will be sign that says No Right Turn on Red. Thats when you have to wait for the light. U turns are more so-so, most places will state No U Turn or a sign with a U and a red dash, which obviously means no. Some intersections will show the U turn along with other left angle turns. The ones you have to be careful of are the ones with no signs, usually it means you can do a U turn, but always be cautious of traffic. Some places here in Cali are filled with drivers that dont know ****. Also as an FYI, most signs here usually contain signs with words to specify more complex intersections. Drive safe!

Answer 5

It works really well, keeps the traffic flowing! You have to come to a halt before turning, and yield to traffic coming from the left, across the intersection, but basically yes, you can turn right on a red. We in the UK cannot turn left on a red. Sometimes there is a turn left arrow that allows this, but basically it's not the same here. Remember out there, the roads are a whole lot wider than in the UK so you get in lane, and go right when it's clear to do so. Good luck to your son and his new life!

Answer 6

You can make a right-on-red or a U-turn anyplace there isn't a sign that says you can't.

Lanes going the same direction are white. Opposing traffic lanes are separated from you by a yellow line. If those lines are dashed, you may change lanes or pass using the oncoming traffic lane. If solid, you may not cross. If the yellow line in the center is actually two stripes, and one is dashed while the other is solid, the side with the solid line may not pass there.

There are very few universal traffic laws in the U.S. We operate state-to-state here, for the most part.

As a general warning, people in California drive like jerks (yes, I was one of them for twelve years). Be assertive but not too aggressive, stay aware, and don't take it personally, it's not you, it's population pressure.

Good luck.

Answer 7

Most of traffic laws are made by each state. In one state, you can make right turn on red, but the next state, not. I will say, however, that most traffic laws across the nation are displayed by signs, for instance, a "No right turn on red." And common sense can win out after that. If there is another car out there with you, let it go before you. Err on the side of caution.

It might be wise to also download a copy of the driver's handbook for California specifically... find it here:

http://driversed.com/DMV/california-driver-handbook.aspx

Enjoy your stay!

Answer 8

you can do a U turn a a light as long as there is not a no U Turn sign, you can turn right on red after coming to a complete halt, Do not cross double white lines, you can not turn left on red, use your blinkers, don't exceed the speed limit posted, speed limits are in miles per hour not kilometers, watch out for the cameras and don't run red lights, if you need to cross traffic to enter a parking lot, the person traveling down the lane your crossing has the right of way. Hope this helps!

Answer 9

Just remember that you're coming to America.. There are plenty of signs for the more slower of us. U-turns at intersections and right turns on red are legal unless there is a sign posting saying it isn't.

Have a fun trip!

Answer 10

U-Turns are legal except when it's posted at the traffic light that U-Turns are NOT okay. Turning right at a red light is legal if it is safe to make that turn, meaning you have to wait until the lane is clear before you turn--you do not have the "right of way".