Can You Turn Left on a Red Light in Ontario?
In Ontario, turning left on a red light is only permitted when you are turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street. In all other situations, a red light means you must stop and wait for green. This is different from right-on-red, which is more broadly allowed.
Key Facts
- Do not turn left on red from a two-way street under any circumstances
- Do not turn left on red if a 'No Turn on Red' sign is posted
- Do not turn left on red if a red arrow is displayed
- Do not turn left on red if pedestrians are crossing
- Always come to a complete stop before evaluating whether a left on red applies
In this article
The One Situation Where Left on Red Is Legal
Under Ontario's Highway Traffic Act, a left turn on a red light is only permitted when you are travelling on a one-way street and turning left onto another one-way street. Both streets must be one-way. In this situation, you must still come to a complete stop, yield to pedestrians and any oncoming traffic, and only proceed when it is safe.
Why This Is Different From Right on Red
Right turns on red are allowed at most intersections in Ontario (unless a sign says otherwise). Left turns on red are far more restricted because turning left across lanes of oncoming traffic creates a much greater collision risk. The one-way-to-one-way exception works because there is no oncoming traffic to conflict with.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Drivers sometimes confuse one-way streets with roads that simply have a median or centre turn lane. A one-way street will have traffic flowing in only one direction and will have arrows or signage indicating this. If you are not certain the road you are turning from and turning onto are both one-way, treat the light as a normal red and wait.
- Do not turn left on red from a two-way street under any circumstances
- Do not turn left on red if a 'No Turn on Red' sign is posted
- Do not turn left on red if a red arrow is displayed
- Do not turn left on red if pedestrians are crossing
- Always come to a complete stop before evaluating whether a left on red applies
Penalties for Illegal Left on Red
Making an illegal left turn on a red light is treated the same as running a red light. The fine is $260 and carries 3 demerit points. For novice (G1/G2) drivers, accumulating demerit points faster can trigger earlier licence suspension thresholds.
Related Questions
Can You Turn Right on a Red Light in Ontario?
Yes, you can turn right on a red light in Ontario after coming to a complete stop, as long as there is no sign prohibiting it. You must yield to all pedestrians and cross traffic before turning. This is legal everywhere in Ontario but not in Montreal, Quebec.
Read answerWhat Are the Right of Way Rules in Ontario?
Right of way in Ontario is determined by the type of intersection, who arrived first, and posted signals. At uncontrolled intersections, yield to the vehicle on your right. At four-way stops, the first to arrive goes first. Pedestrians in marked or unmarked crosswalks always have right of way.
Read answerHow Do You Handle a Four-Way Stop in Ontario?
At a four-way stop in Ontario, come to a complete stop, then proceed in the order of arrival. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the driver on the right goes first. If two vehicles are facing each other, the one going straight goes before the one turning left.
Read answerReady to Start Driving?
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