Left turn yield on green sign: what it means
The LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN sign means that on a green ball you may turn left, but you must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.
What does the LEFT TURN YIELD ON GREEN sign mean?
MUTCD Section 2B.59 lists LEFT TURN YIELD ON (symbolic circular green) among the traffic signal signs and says it should be placed next to the left-turn signal face.
Quick quiz
What does the sign at the top of this page mean?
- Turning left on a green ball? Yield first.
- Slow down and let other traffic go first.
- This lane must turn left.
Show answer
A. Turning left on a green ball? Yield first. On a circular green you may turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic (MUTCD Section 2B.59). Source: MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B, Regulatory Signs, Barricades, and Gates: Section 2B.59, FHWA; MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA
Where will you see it?
At signalized intersections where left turns are allowed on the circular green, next to the signal for the left-turn lane.
What should you do?
Pull into the intersection only as far as is safe, wait for a gap in oncoming traffic and check the crosswalk you are turning across. Turn when it is clear.
What do people get wrong?
Turning as soon as the light turns green without checking for oncoming traffic. The sign is there to remind you to yield.
Common questions
Where is the sign placed?
Next to the left-turn signal face (MUTCD Section 2B.59).
Is there a version for flashing yellow arrows?
Yes. MUTCD Section 2B.59 also lists LEFT TURN YIELD ON FLASHING YELLOW ARROW.
Compare with
Want to test someone else? Play a road-sign quiz with friends and family.
Sources
Checked on 3 November 2026 against the MUTCD 11th Edition (FHWA), Section 2B.59.
- MUTCD 11th Edition, Chapter 2B, Regulatory Signs, Barricades, and Gates: Section 2B.59, FHWA
- MUTCD 11th Edition, FHWA. FHWA lists the current version as the 11th Edition with Revision 1, dated December 2025
Sign pictures are our own simplified drawings of the MUTCD designs, which are in the public domain (MUTCD Section 1D.06). Sources and image credits.