Can you do a U turn on a yellow line?

[carbonhed]

I know you can make right turns to and from a driveway across them but what about a U turn?

Just the legal position.

[TheDemonLord]

Seeing as Double yellow means no passing - and you aren't passing, I would conjecture that it is fine, provided it is safe to do so (ie you have enough visibility either way to make sure nothing is going to hit you whilst making the move)

[Murray]

Ask a policeman they know all about doing U turns

[swbarnett]

I know you can make right turns to and from a driveway across them but what about a U turn?

Just the legal position.

First of all there's no such thing a double yellow line. When there are two only one applies to your side of the road.

Seeing as Double yellow means no passing

Actually, they mean "don't cross". You are perfectly entitled to pass if you can stay completely on your own side of the road.

I would conjecture that it is fine, provided it is safe to do so (ie you have enough visibility either way to make sure nothing is going to hit you whilst making the move)

I would also guess that this would be OK. Kind of an extension of a right turn anyway.

[awayatc]

Ask a policeman they know all about doing U turns

How to catch a biker for dummies.....?

[oneofsix]

First of all there's no such thing a double yellow line. When there are two only one applies to your side of the road.


Actually, they mean "don't cross". You are perfectly entitled to pass if you can stay completely on your own side of the road.


I would also guess that this would be OK. Kind of an extension of a right turn anyway.

Agreed they actually mean don't cross. Think about it, if they mean don't pass why do they paint them down one side of passing lanes? Also scooters and bicycles?

[Berries]

I know you can make right turns to and from a driveway across them but what about a U turn?

Just the legal position.

Doing a u-turn over a single yellow line is as much an offence as turning right over them if that helps. A yellow line means do not cross, which you would be doing if you did a right turn or a u-turn. But they actually mean do not cross in that direction, ie overtaking, due to poor visibility or a a right turn bay/intersection.

If u-turns are specifically prohibited there should be a no u-turn sign, and being a regulatory sign it should also be backed up by being in the council/NZTA bylaw.

[veldthui]

But they actually mean do not cross in that direction, ie overtaking, due to poor visibility or a a right turn bay/intersection.

So how do you then explain all those huge sections of road with plenty of visibility and long straights and the have a yellow line down them. Especially noted the closer you get to Auckland but also on most passing lanes goin the other way. Clear road all 3 lanes and you can't pass a plonker doing 70kph cause the yellow line and he is hugging it.

[nodrog:Me]

So how do you then explain all those huge sections of road with plenty of visibility and long straights and the have a yellow line down them. Especially noted the closer you get to Auckland but also on most passing lanes goin the other way. Clear road all 3 lanes and you can't pass a plonker doing 70kph cause the yellow line and he is hugging it.

Its called Retardation.

[swbarnett]

So how do you then explain all those huge sections of road with plenty of visibility and long straights and the have a yellow line down them. Especially noted the closer you get to Auckland but also on most passing lanes goin the other way. Clear road all 3 lanes and you can't pass a plonker doing 70kph cause the yellow line and he is hugging it.

If by the highlighted above you mean a yellow line on the other side of the road (i.e. the other side of the white line) the you ignore it. They don't apply to you.

[oneofsix]

If by the highlighted above you mean a yellow line on the other side of the road (i.e. the other side of the white line) the you ignore it. They don't apply to you.

Nope, I reckon he means there is a passing lane going the other way so some plonker has painted a yellow line down your side of the road so you are not allowed to make use of the empty passing lane in case a right lane hugger coming the other way tries to enforce his misinterpretation of the law.

[swbarnett]

Nope, I reckon he means there is a passing lane going the other way so some plonker has painted a yellow line down your side of the road so you are not allowed to make use of the empty passing lane in case a right lane hugger coming the other way tries to enforce his misinterpretation of the law.

You may well be right.

[triplethumper]

I know you can make right turns to and from a driveway across them but what about a U turn?

Just the legal position.

I thought you couldn't but after a quick check of the road code it seems you can... Here's the wording.

Making a U-turn

You are normally allowed to make U-turns, as long as the road is clear in both directions and it is safe to do so. Make sure you have enough room to complete the turn and don't create a hazard for oncoming vehicles.

You aren't allowed to make U-turns if a 'No U-turn' sign is displayed.

Making a turn over a no-passing line

You can cross over the solid yellow no-passing line (if it is safe to do so) when making a turn to enter a driveway or side road.

However, bear in mind that no-passing lines are often marked where visibility is limited, so special care is required. It may be safer to turn further along the road, where visibility is better. See Passing for more information about no-passing lines.

[FJRider]

Doing a u-turn over a single yellow line is as much an offence as turning right over them if that helps. A yellow line means do not cross, which you would be doing if you did a right turn or a u-turn. But they actually mean do not cross in that direction, ie overtaking, due to poor visibility or a a right turn bay/intersection.

If u-turns are specifically prohibited there should be a no u-turn sign, and being a regulatory sign it should also be backed up by being in the council/NZTA bylaw.

Not quite correct. From the Road Code ...

Making a turn over a no-passing line

You can cross over the solid yellow no-passing line (if it is safe to do so) when making a turn to enter a driveway or side road.

However, bear in mind that no-passing lines are often marked where visibility is limited, so special care is required. It may be safer to turn further along the road, where visibility is better.

It Is an offense to overtake by crossing the yellow "No Passing" lines on your side of the road.


The "Safe to do so" bit IS important. Because ... if anybody runs into you during your "turn" ... it obviously wasn't safe.

And prosecution for dangerous driving will be highly likely as a result.

[Berries]

Not quite correct. From the Road Code ...

The Road Code means shit, even though it and you agree with what I said.

"If it is safe to do so" should go without saying for everything you do, whether riding a bike at 200km/h or getting the sauce right for your sticky toffee pudding session.

Nope, I reckon he means there is a passing lane going the other way so some plonker has painted a yellow line down your side of the road so you are not allowed to make use of the empty passing lane in case a right lane hugger coming the other way tries to enforce his misinterpretation of the law.

Yep, retardation, but complaining on here won't change it. Assuming it is a state highway the poster should ring NZTA and tell them the error of their ways. Someone has made a conscious decision to remove that overtaking opportunity and if nobody complains they will think they have made every one all safe and happy and will do it again somewhere else. Ring them and give them arseholes.