[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/blog\/are-u-turns-legal-in-california\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/blog\/are-u-turns-legal-in-california\/","headline":"Are U-Turns Legal in California?","name":"Are U-Turns Legal in California?","description":"If you were injured in a motor vehicle crash in California after another driver made a U-turn, the legality of the maneuver could play a crucial role in your ability to recover compensation. In California, U-turns are permitted under certain circumstances. If the driver made an illegal U-turn, however, they might be liable for the […]","datePublished":"2021-06-16","dateModified":"2026-03-10","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/blog\/author\/injury-attorneys\/#Person","name":"Demas Law Group, P.C.","url":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/blog\/author\/injury-attorneys\/","identifier":7,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2d2d1dc668da653fd25c47bc01fca53aff1d3e1f6971487d8eb8e56cf2bae38c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2d2d1dc668da653fd25c47bc01fca53aff1d3e1f6971487d8eb8e56cf2bae38c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Demas Law Group, P.C.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/demas-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/demas-logo.png","width":158,"height":141}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/u-turns-california.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/u-turns-california.jpg","height":663,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/blog\/are-u-turns-legal-in-california\/","about":["Car Accidents"],"wordCount":1376,"articleBody":"If you were injured in a motor vehicle crash in California after another driver made a U-turn, the legality of the maneuver could play a crucial role in your ability to recover compensation. In California, U-turns are permitted under certain circumstances. If the driver made an illegal U-turn, however, they might be liable for the crash and the resulting injuries and property damage.\ufeffWhen you have been the victim of an accident caused by another driver making an illegal U-turn in California, turn to Demas Law Group for help. For more than 25 years, our Sacramento car accident attorneys have worked diligently to help our clients pursue financial compensation for their injuries and losses. We provide attentive client service and maintain close working relationships with our clients based on respect.We strive for the best possible results for our clients and pursue flexible and innovative approaches to seek favorable outcomes. When you choose us to initiate your car wreck claim, we\u2019ll work to earn your trust by understanding your needs and goals. Let us handle the legal details so that you can focus your energy on your physical and emotional recovery.If you have been the victim of a car accident in California caused by a driver making an illegal U-turn, contact us today for a free initial case evaluation. We can explain your legal rights and options for pursuing financial compensation for your injuries and losses.What Is a U-turn?A U-turn refers to a maneuver in which a vehicle turns around to travel in the opposite direction. The path of the vehicle makes a shape that resembles the letter U. Under California\u2019s U-turn laws, U-turns are permissible under certain conditions. In other conditions, U-turns are considered illegal maneuvers.When Are U-turns Legal in California?While U-turns are legal in California, the state vehicle code places various restrictions on their use. Familiarize yourself with these rules to avoid traffic violations or causing a car crash.Understanding legal vs. illegal U-turnsAs a general rule of thumb, U-turns may be legally performed:Across a double yellow line where safe and legal to do soIn a residential district, if no vehicles are within 200 feet and when traffic signs or lights control approaching trafficAt intersections with a green light or arrow, unless a sign prohibits U-turnsOn highways, when an opening is provided in the center divider to allow motorists to perform U-turnsIn California, U-turns are not permitted in the following circumstances:At or on railroad crossingsOn divided highways, if crossing a dividing section, curb, a strip of turf, or two sets of double yellow linesOn one-way streetsIn business districts, except at intersections or openings were otherwise not prohibitedWhen other vehicles might collide with your vehicleIf you do not have an unobstructed view of oncoming traffic stretching at least 200 feet in both directionsWhen Is a U-Turn Illegal Under California Law?California\u2019s Vehicle Code restricts U-turns or makes U-turns illegal under certain circumstances:U-turns at intersections controlled by traffic signals \u2013 Under California Vehicle Code Div. 11, Ch. 3, \u00a721451 and California Vehicle Code Div. 11, Ch. 6, \u00a722100, a driver may make a U-turn at a traffic light when facing a green light, unless signs at the intersection prohibit U-turns. Drivers performing a U-turn must also yield the right-of-way to other traffic and pedestrians in the intersection or crosswalk.U-turns in business districts \u2013 California Vehicle Code Div. 11, Ch. 6, \u00a722012 makes it illegal to perform a U-turn in a business district, except at an intersection or on a divided highway where an opening to perform a U-turn is provided. On roads with multiple lanes of travel in the same direction, drivers must initiate the U-turn from the leftmost lane.U-turns in residential districts \u2013 Under California Vehicle Code Div. 11, Ch. 6, \u00a722013, drivers may not perform a U-turn in a residential area when another vehicle is within 200 feet, except at an intersection when the approaching vehicle is subject to a traffic control device.U-turns at or near fire station driveways \u2013 California Vehicle Code Div. 11, Ch. 6, \u00a722014 makes it illegal to perform a U-turn in front of the driveway or approach a fire station or to use a fire station\u2019s driveway to make a U-turn.U-turns at or near parking lots \u2013 Pulling into a parking space and backing out to drive in the opposite direction generally does not constitute a U-turn.U-turns on California highways \u2013 California Vehicle Code Div. 11, Ch. 6, \u00a722015 makes it illegal to perform a U-turn on a highway if the driver does not have an unobstructed view of the roadway and traffic in each direction of at least 200 feet.                    .swal2-popup {                width: 40em;                height: 25em;            }            .swal2-title {                font-size: 3em;            }            .swal2-styled.swal2-confirm {                font-size: 1.2em;            }            .cw-infographic {                margin: 0 auto;                margin-top: 30px;                margin-bottom: 30px;            }            .cw-infographic .infographic-wrap {\t\t\t\tmax-width: 1280px;\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\t\t\t\tmargin: 0 auto;            }            .cw-infographic .infographic-wrap .image-wrap{\t\t\t\tbox-shadow: -1px -1px 20px 0 rgb(0 0 0 \/ 12%);            }            .cw-infographic .infographic-wrap img {\t\t\t\twidth: 100%;\t\t\t\tborder: none;            }            .cw-infographic .embed-section {                margin-top: 30px;                text-align: center;            }             .cw-infographic .embed-section .embed-textarea {                opacity: .01;                height:0;                position:absolute;                z-index: -1;            }            .cw-infographic .embed-section .embed-label {                font-weight: bold;            }            .cw-infographic .embed-section textarea {                width: 100%;                min-height: 130px;                border: 1px solid #34103873;                text-align: justify;                padding: 10px;                color: #00000080;            }            .embed-container, .embed-textarea, .embed-section button {                margin-top: 20px;            }                        .cw-infographic button, #infographic-button {                cursor: pointer;            }\t\t\t.cw-infographic button {\t\t\t\tmargin-inline: auto;\t\t\t}                                                                                                                                                                                        Share this image on your site                                                    Infographic provided by Demas Law Group, P.C.                                                Copy to clipboard                                                                            jQuery( document ).ready(function($) {                console.log( \"ready!\" );                $('.copy-btn').each(function(i) {                    $(this).click(function() {                        Swal.fire( {                        title: 'The code has been copied',                        icon: 'success',                        confirmButtonText: 'Continue'                        } );                        $('#' + $(this).data('ta-id')).select();                        document.execCommand('copy');                    });                           });            });        \tConsequences of Making an Illegal U-turnDrivers who make illegal U-turns can face several penalties under California, including fines, points on their driving records, and potential license suspensions for negligent operation of a vehicle. If a driver makes an illegal U-turn and causes an accident that injures someone else, they can also be held civilly liable through a personal injury claim.What Happens If I\u2019ve Been Injured by Someone Making an Illegal U-turn?If someone made an illegal U-turn and you were injured in a crash, you might be entitled to compensation from that driver. You will need to prove that the other driver committed an act of negligence or recklessness and caused the accident and your injuries to do so. In a claim involving an illegal U-turn, your lawyer may be able to prove the other driver\u2019s negligence either under ordinary negligence principles or by establishing negligence per se.In an ordinary negligence claim, your claim will need to show that the other driver breached a duty of care owed to you by making the U-turn and that this breach of a duty caused the accident and your injuries. An attorney can help you make that argument. In a negligence per se claim, your lawyer won\u2019t have to establish that the other driver owed a duty to you. When the driver broke the law immediately before the accident, and their violation caused the accident, they are presumed negligent.U-turn Accident StatisticsAccording to data from the California Highway Patrol, in one recent year, 2,825 U-turn accidents across the state of California resulted in physical injuries. In that same year, 37 fatal U-turn crashes occurred in California.Tips for Safely Making a U-turnHere are some tips to make a safe U-turn in California:Know the law \u2013 Familiarize yourself with the traffic scenarios where U-turns are allowed and prohibited (see above).Watch other motorists \u2013 Never assume that other drivers know you are permitted to make a U-turn. Look in all directions for traffic, bicyclists, and pedestrians before turning.Watch your surroundings \u2013 Check to see if there is enough space to make the turn safely before proceeding.Use your turn signal \u2013 This lets other drivers know you intend to make a U-turn.Make a safer choice in heavy traffic \u2013 Heavy congestion can make it challenging to make a safe U-turn. If you see a better opportunity to turn around, take it.FAQs About U-turn Laws in CaliforniaQuestion 1. Can I make a U-turn at a red light in California?Answer: No, you cannot make a U-turn at a red light. You can only make a U-turn when you have a green light or a green arrow, but make sure a \u201cNo U-turn\u201d sign isn\u2019t posted first.Question 2. What is the fine for an illegal U-turn?Answer: You could be fined up to $238, plus court costs, for making an illegal U-turn.Question 3. Are U-turn laws different in residential areas?Answer: Yes, U-turns in residential areas are prohibited when another vehicle is approaching within 200 feet, unless the U-turn is made at an intersection controlled by a traffic signal. The 200-foot rule only applies in residential areas, and the law is different for traffic settings like business districts and highways.Contact Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers in\u00a0SacramentoIf you have been injured by a driver who made an illegal U-turn, call or contact Demas Law Group today for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our experienced Sacramento car accident lawyers will be ready to discuss your rights and options for holding the reckless driver accountable."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Are U-Turns Legal in California?","item":"https:\/\/www.injury-attorneys.com\/blog\/are-u-turns-legal-in-california\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]