Left Turn Yield on Green sign
Reminds drivers that on a solid green ball (not a green arrow) a left turn is allowed only after yielding.
What to do
On a green ball, turn left only when there is a safe gap in oncoming traffic and no pedestrians in the crosswalk.
On a green ball, pull up ready to turn but wait until oncoming traffic and pedestrians in the crosswalk have cleared before you turn left.
Where it's used
Section 2B.59 lists LEFT (RIGHT) TURN YIELD ON GREEN (R10-12) among the traffic signal signs, and says it should be mounted next to the left-turn signal face. It is a vertical white sign (30 x 36 inches) with black words and a green circle symbol standing for the green ball. For extra emphasis a second R10-12 with an AT SIGNAL (R10-31P) plaque may be put up in advance of the intersection; related signs cover a flashing yellow arrow (R10-12a) and yielding to bicycles (R10-12b).
Don't confuse it with
- Left Turn Only (lane control): LEFT TURN ONLY is a lane-use sign saying the lane must turn left, while this sign tells you that a left turn on a green ball must yield to oncoming traffic.
- No Turn on Red: NO TURN ON RED deals with turning while the signal is red; this sign deals with a permissive left turn on green.
- Yield: The YIELD triangle applies at all times on its approach, while this sign applies only to left turns made on a circular green.
- Type
- Regulatory signs
- Shape
- Vertical rectangle
- Colors
- white, black, green
- MUTCD code
- R10-12
- MUTCD section
- 2B.59
On state permit tests
Our questions for 6 states ask about this sign, including Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland and Oregon.
Test yourself
A white sign reads LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN with a green ball symbol. What does it mean? (Indiana practice test)
- On a green ball, you may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic
- Left turns only on a green arrow
- Left turns are prohibited
- Oncoming traffic must yield to you
Show answer
On a green ball, you may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic. The Left Turn Yield on Green sign means a left turn on a green ball signal is allowed only after yielding.
A sign reads LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN. What does it mean? (Kansas practice test)
- Left turns are permitted on a green ball, but you must yield to oncoming traffic
- Left turns have a protected arrow
- Left turns only on red
- No left turns
Show answer
Left turns are permitted on a green ball, but you must yield to oncoming traffic. It tells you a left turn is permitted but you must yield to oncoming traffic.
More regulatory signs
Stop
All-Way plaque
Yield
Yield Here to Pedestrians
In-Street Pedestrian Crossing
Speed Limit
Night Speed Limit
Combined Maximum and Minimum Speed LimitsFrom the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th edition, section 2B.59. Sign image: public domain, source.