Road Sign Encyclopedia

No u turn sign: what does it mean?

Discover the No u turn sign.

Meaning, definition, shape, location, color, and more.

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The no U-turn sign is a regulatory sign. No U-turn signs are posted at intersections to indicate the driver is not legally allowed to make a U-turn (a turn in the road to go the opposite direction). If a driver needs to make a 180 degree turn in a place marked no U-turn, they must wait for an intersection that allows this type of turn or find an alternate way such as going around a block.

Shape: Square
They are square with a black arrow that’s crossed out in red.
Location: Posted at intersections
No U-turn signs are posted at intersections or along roads where the driver can’t legally make a 180 degree turn.
Color: White, red, and black
The sign is white with a black arrow that’s crossed out in red.

Other areas where U-turns are illegal include:

  • At or on a railroad crossing
  • On a highway divided by a curb, strip of land or two sets of double yellow lines
  • Where you can’t see 200 feet in each direction due to a curve, hill, or weather
  • On a one-way street
  • In front of a fire station
Real-life examples

No U-Turn signs in the wild

Things To Remember

  • It’s illegal to make a 180 degree turn in a place with a no U-turn sign.
  • There are additional places where it’s illegal to make a U-turn, even if there is no sign posted.
  • If the driver needs to turn around in an area with a no U-turn sign, they must go around the block or wait for an area where it’s legal to do so.

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