Can You Turn Right on Red in the District of Columbia?
In the District of Columbia, right turns on red lights are legal as long as a sign doesn’t indicate otherwise. Learn more here.
Written by Rob Shapiro
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
In the District of Columbia, you can turn right on a red light at an intersection after coming to a complete stop. Some intersections only prohibit right turns on red lights between 7 am and 7 pm every day. Remember, pedestrians crossing within the crosswalk while the appropriate signal is on have the right-of-way.
Green means go and red means stop. This is one of the first things we are taught as drivers. Everyone eventually learns, though, that driving laws are much more complicated than that. Each state (and district) has its own laws about turning right on a red light, so make sure you are well-informed before hitting the road.
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Turning right on a red light is legal throughout the District of Columbia. The only exception is if there is a sign that prohibits this driving action.
- Right turns are allowed if you come to a full stop and yieldright-of-wayto pedestrians and other vehicles.
- If you’re a motorist facing a red light, you are prohibited from turning right from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm on weekdays at certain intersections.
It’s a smart idea to confirm if the intersections you frequent most often are subject to time restrictions.
Key Takeaway It is legal to turn right on a red light in the District of Columbia unless a posted sign prohibits this driving action.
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What about left turns on red?
In D.C., you cannot turn left even on a one-way street. There are no exceptions to this law so make sure you obey it at all times.
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Penalties for an illegal right turn on red in the District of Columbia
Any motorist who is given a ticket for turning right on a red light could receive a $150 ticket and, even worse, could have two demerit points added to their license.
There is another consequence, as right turn violations will cause insurance premiums to rise. Put it this way: being convicted of any driving infraction will cause your insurance company to raise your premium and rate.
How to find affordable car insurance in the District of Columbia
Now that you know what to do if you want to turn right at a red light in D.C., use the
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