Q: Skip Crane of Corona asked about the legality of making a U-turn before the intersection of Ontario and California avenues in Corona. He said there’s a double yellow line separating the east and westbound traffic lanes and that making a U-turn at the intersection is allowed. He asked, “I am four cars back and when the green arrow comes on for our lane to go, I turn without waiting to go to the end of the left turn lane to make my U-turn. Do you know if this is legal?”

A: Most likely what our reader did was not legal. He should take the extra minute and drive to the intersection, and then make a legal U-turn there.

Section 22102 of the California Vehicle Code says, in part, “No person in a business district shall make a U-turn, except at an intersection, or on a divided highway where an opening has been provided…” A business district is defined as an area where 50% or more of the properties bordering the street within 300 feet are used for business, or 600 feet if businesses are only on one side, according to Officer Jacob Westall of the Corona Police Department.

The intersection our reader cited is near the 15 Freeway surrounded by businesses. Unless there was a lane opening for U-turns four cars back where Crane’s vehicle was located, he made an illegal U-turn. It’s also safer to make the U-turn at the intersection, on a green light or green arrow, which is what surrounding drivers would be expecting.

To further help clarify, here is what the California Driver’s Handbook says: You may make a U-turn across a double yellow line, in a residential district if no vehicles are approaching you within 200 feet, at an intersection on a green traffic light or green arrow (unless a No U-turn sign is posted) and on a divided highway if a center divider opening is provided. The handbook also says drivers should never make a U-turn at specified locations including at a railroad crossing, in front of a fire station, on a divided highway with a center divider or two sets of double yellow lines, and in a business district except at an intersection, or on a divided highway where there’s an opening.

DMV online renewals

Finally, the California Department of Motor Vehicles now allows online renewals for commercial driver’s licenses as well as regular licenses. Eligible commercial drivers can renew up to 120 days before their license expires without having to visit a DMV office. This move is a continuation of the DMV’s ongoing effort to modernize services and make the field offices less crowded by expanding the range of things drivers can do online through the DMV website. For commercial drivers to renew online, all they need to do is upload the necessary documents such as their Transportation Security Administration clearance and medical exam records.

The DMV asks all drivers to use the online services for basic transactions like license renewals for those eligible to renew online, and vehicle registration renewals. The DMV says 90% of transactions can now be done online. To sign up for paperless vehicle registration and driver’s license renewal notices, drivers must first create a secure online account and register at dmv.ca.gov.

Do you commute to work in the Inland Empire? Spend a lot of time in your vehicle? Have questions about driving, freeways, toll roads or parking? If so, write or call On the Road and we’ll try to answer your questions. Please include your question or issue, name, city of residence, phone number and email address. Write ontheroad@scng.com or call 951-368-9995.