Left Turn Yield on Green Sign: Meaning and What to Do
The white rectangle reading LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN, with a green circle beneath the words, is mounted beside a traffic signal. It tells left-turning drivers that a circular green light does not give them the right of way; they may turn only after yielding to oncoming traffic and to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
Left Turn Yield on Green Sign
The sign exists because a solid green ball is permissive, not protected. Drivers who assume green means go and turn across oncoming traffic cause some of the most severe intersection crashes there are. Only a green arrow protects the left turn.
What to do when you see the left turn yield on green sign
On a circular green, pull into the intersection only if it is legal in your state, wait for a gap in oncoming traffic, check the crosswalk, and then turn. If the light turns yellow while you are waiting inside the intersection, complete the turn when it is safe. Never assume oncoming drivers will stop for you.
The signs it is confused with
Tests contrast the green circle on this sign with a green arrow signal, which is a protected turn that oncoming traffic must not conflict with. The related Left on Green Arrow Only sign goes further and forbids turning on the circular green at all.
Signs are one topic of ten on every test
Every state practice test covers signs, signals, and markings among its ten topics, with every answer explained. Pick your state and see how its exam asks about signs like this one; it is free, with no sign-up.
Choose your stateQuestions about the left turn yield on green sign
What does left turn yield on green mean?
You may turn left on a circular green light only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. The green does not give you the right of way.
What is the difference between a green ball and a green arrow?
A green arrow protects the turn: conflicting traffic is stopped. A green ball permits the turn but leaves oncoming traffic moving, so you must yield.
Can I wait inside the intersection for a gap?
Many states allow one or two vehicles to wait in the intersection on green and finish on yellow or red. Your state's manual gives its rule, and our state banks test it.
Who has the right of way, me or the oncoming car going straight?
The oncoming car. On a circular green, the vehicle going straight has priority over the vehicle turning left across its path.
How does this sign appear on the written test?
In scenario questions about turning left at a signal, often with the green arrow as one of the answer choices to test whether you know the difference.