Flashing yellow arrow Turn left after yielding
A flashing yellow left-turn arrow: you may turn left, but your turn is not protected. Yield to oncoming traffic first, then turn with caution. A green arrow gives you a protected turn. A red arrow means stop: do not turn.
CA Driver's Handbook, "Traffic Signals" (arrows) · CVC 21453(c) (red arrow) · CVC 21451(b) (green arrow)What does a flashing yellow left-turn arrow mean in California?
You may turn left, but your turn is not protected: yield to oncoming traffic first, then turn with caution (Handbook, "Traffic Signals").
Why this rule exists
On a flashing yellow arrow the oncoming traffic has a green light and will not slow down for you. Only the green arrow stops it with a red light.
Step by step on the road
- Read the arrow for your lane, not what the cars around you do.
- Flashing yellow arrow: wait at the line with the wheels straight and let oncoming traffic pass. Turn only when the gap is clear all the way across.
- Green arrow: your turn is protected, because the oncoming traffic has a red light. Still yield to anyone in the intersection or the crosswalk.
- Steady yellow arrow: the protected turning time is ending. If you cannot stop safely, or you are already in the intersection, finish the turn carefully.
- Red arrow: stop at the limit line and do not turn until a green light or a green arrow appears.
Common mistakes
- Treating a flashing yellow arrow like a green arrow and turning in front of oncoming cars.
- Turning on a red arrow after a stop, as if it were a right turn on red.
- Turning the wheels to the left while you wait.
On the DMV drive test
On every left turn the DL 32 sheet marks the approach, the stop and the turn, each with a traffic check and a yield. DL 955 wants your wheels pointed straight ahead while you are stopped to turn left, and the turn ended in the proper lane. Any action that makes another driver take evasive action is a critical driving error.
Based on the DMV’s Driving Test Criteria (DL 955) and its score sheet (DL 32). How the drive test works ›Questions people ask
Can you turn on a red arrow in California?
No. "A red arrow means STOP. Do not turn at a red arrow" (Handbook). Stay stopped until a green light or green arrow appears (CVC 21453(c)).
What is the difference between a green arrow and a flashing yellow arrow?
On a green arrow your turn is protected: the oncoming traffic has a red light. On a flashing yellow arrow the oncoming traffic has green too, so you yield to it first.
What does a steady yellow arrow mean?
The protected turning time is ending. If you cannot stop safely, or you are already in the intersection, cautiously complete your turn (Handbook).
Test yourself
Kees' three questions on this rule, the “Did you know?” facts and his tip come with the drive, in Voorrah! Pro.
Get Voorrah! Pro ▸