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

bostonianinmo

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!

c_a_m_2u

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!

03svtcobra

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!

carpathian mage

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!

LawComm

Yes, you can turn right on red if it's clear. ( In some places that you can't do that , there will be a sign saying so.) Usually U turns are not permitted anywhere. Also be mindful of your speed.. California Highway patrol writes lots of speeding tickets. Good Luck.

.jess

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!

The Dragon (RAW)

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".

Del Piero 10

Right turns on red are OK in CA. If U-turns aren't allowed there is usually a sign. Three and four way stops are the trickiest to get the hang of. There are some US DMV sites that list the basic survival rules.

logicalgal

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.

usaisthebestest

Well no left on a red light has caused a few accidents by foreigners at my university.

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