Quick Summary:
- In NYC, assume right on red is banned unless a sign allows.
- Look for ‘NO TURN ON RED’ and time plates on signal poles.
- Stop completely before the line, then check pedestrians, bikes, and buses.
- If unsure at a busy intersection, wait for green to avoid tickets.
Visitors often arrive in New York expecting the classic US rule: stop, then you may turn right on red after yielding. New York City flips that expectation. For most intersections in NYC, right turn on red is not allowed unless you see a sign that specifically permits it. That difference catches out drivers in car hire vehicles, because the flow of traffic can make it feel normal to follow someone turning on red, even when it is prohibited.
This guide explains the default NYC rule, where exceptions tend to appear, which signs you must follow, and how to reduce the chance of getting a ticket issued by a camera or officer. It is written for short-term visitors who may be driving from an airport, across boroughs, or over into New Jersey and back.
NYC’s default rule: right on red is usually prohibited
In New York State, many places allow right on red after a full stop, unless a sign bans it. New York City is different. NYC’s general rule is that right turn on red is prohibited unless a posted sign tells you it is permitted. Practically, that means you should drive as if the default is “no”, and only turn on red when you have clear permission.
Why does this matter for car hire visitors? First, you are likely to be navigating unfamiliar intersections while also watching for pedestrians stepping off the kerb, delivery cyclists filtering past, and buses pulling in and out. Second, some intersections are monitored, and enforcement can happen even when the turn felt safe. Waiting for the green can be the simplest, lowest-risk option if you are unsure.
If you are collecting a vehicle near the airports, it can help to review local rules before you hit city traffic. For example, travellers starting from JFK may compare options on car hire New York JFK or the local page at car rental New York JFK, then build an itinerary that avoids stressful peak-hour driving in Manhattan.
Where exceptions exist, and why they can be confusing
You will see right-on-red allowed at some NYC intersections, but it is not consistent. Exceptions are more common on wider roads, at certain arterial junctions, and in places where traffic engineers want to keep vehicles moving. You may also encounter permitted right-on-red on some routes that feed bridges, parkways, or expressways, particularly outside the densest pedestrian areas.
The confusing part is that nearby intersections can differ. One junction may allow a right turn on red with a posted permission sign, while the next junction on the same avenue bans it with a “NO TURN ON RED” sign. Do not rely on memory from earlier in the day. Each intersection needs a quick scan for signs every time you approach on a red signal.
Another source of confusion is watching other drivers. Some locals will turn on red despite a ban, either by mistake or by taking a risk. In a car hire vehicle, following them does not protect you from enforcement. Cameras and officers ticket the vehicle that turns illegally, regardless of whether other cars did the same.
Which signs matter most for visitors
To drive confidently, focus on a small set of sign patterns. These are the ones that most directly decide whether a right turn on red is legal.
1) “NO TURN ON RED” signs
These are your clearest instruction. If you see “NO TURN ON RED”, do not turn right while the signal is red, even after stopping. Some signs include time restrictions, such as only during certain hours. In that case, the time plate controls when the ban applies.
2) Permission signs such as “RIGHT ON RED PERMITTED AFTER STOP”
In NYC, you should treat this as the positive confirmation you need. If you see a permission sign, you still must come to a full stop and yield to pedestrians and cross traffic before turning.
3) Time-of-day plates and school-day restrictions
Some intersections change rules by time, especially near schools, major pedestrian routes, or commuter corridors. A ban might apply only on weekdays, only during morning and evening peaks, or only when school is in session. When in doubt, assume the restriction applies if the sign is unclear or you cannot safely read it while approaching.
4) Turn-prohibition signs that are not about red lights
“NO RIGHT TURN” is different from “NO TURN ON RED”. The former means you cannot turn right at all, even on green, during the hours shown. Visitors sometimes glance quickly, see “NO”, and assume it is about red lights. Slow your scan and read the full sign.
How to spot bans early, before you reach the stop line
In NYC, sign placement varies. The key is to start looking earlier than you would at home, so you are not making decisions at the last second. Use this approach:
Scan the signal pole on your corner first. Many “NO TURN ON RED” signs sit on the same pole as the traffic signal, roughly at driver eye level, sometimes slightly behind other signs.
Check the far side of the intersection. Some permissions or bans are mounted across the junction, aimed at approaching traffic. If a truck is blocking your view, take that as a cue to be conservative and wait for green.
Look for multiple sign plates stacked together. In NYC it is common to see a turn arrow sign plus a time restriction plate. If you only catch the top line, you may miss the hours, which can change legality.
Expect extra signage near busy pedestrian areas. Midtown, Downtown, and neighbourhood shopping streets often have more turn restrictions due to foot traffic. Even if you are used to right-on-red elsewhere in the US, these are the places to assume a ban unless explicitly allowed.
The safe and legal way to make a permitted right on red
When a sign allows a right turn on red, the turn is still conditional. The correct method also helps you avoid camera and officer-issued tickets for incomplete stops or failure to yield.
Make a complete stop. Stop behind the crosswalk and stop line. Rolling through, even slowly, can be treated as a violation. In dense areas, pedestrians may step into the crosswalk late, and a proper stop gives you time to see them.
Yield to pedestrians and cyclists. NYC has heavy foot traffic and protected bike lanes. A cyclist may be travelling straight while you are turning right, and they often have right of way when you are crossing their path. Always check mirrors and your blind spot before turning.
Yield to vehicles with the green. Cross traffic may be moving quickly, especially on wider avenues. Do not assume a gap is safe just because the light is red for you.
Turn into the nearest available lane. Avoid swinging wide. Right turns should usually enter the rightmost lane unless markings dictate otherwise. Wide turns are a common reason for near-misses with cyclists and can attract attention from enforcement.
How tickets happen in NYC, and how visitors can reduce risk
Many visitors worry about “camera tickets” because they are unfamiliar with how enforcement works. While not every intersection has automated enforcement, NYC does use cameras in some locations, and officers also issue citations. For a car hire driver, the practical risk-reducer is to treat uncertainty as a reason to wait for the green.
Common ways visitors get ticketed include:
Turning right on red where it is prohibited because there was no permission sign. Another is focusing on the traffic signal and missing the separate “NO TURN ON RED” plate. Some drivers also get stopped for rolling through the stop line before turning, especially if an officer is watching pedestrian compliance.
A simple habit that helps: if you do not see an explicit permission sign, do not turn on red in NYC. It is slower, but it is predictable, and it matches the city’s default rule.
Special situations: one-way streets, slip lanes, and turning from busier approaches
NYC driving includes a few intersection layouts that increase confusion.
One-way streets. You may face a red light with traffic flowing one direction on the street you want to enter. Even if it feels safe to turn, the right-on-red decision still depends on signage. Also watch for pedestrians crossing with their signal, they can appear from behind parked vehicles.
Channelised right turns and slip lanes. Some junctions have a separated right-turn lane. Do not assume it means you can turn on red. Treat it as its own controlled movement and look for the relevant sign and signal head. Yield rules still apply, and pedestrians may have a dedicated crossing.
Approaches near bridges and tunnels. Routes to the Queens Midtown Tunnel, Holland Tunnel, Lincoln Tunnel, and major bridges can involve complex lane guidance and heavy enforcement. Plan early, stay in the correct lane, and resist last-second turns.
If your itinerary includes New Jersey, note that rules outside NYC differ, and your driving environment changes quickly after crossing the river. Travellers picking up near Newark may start with car hire airport New Jersey EWR or compare providers such as National car rental Newark EWR, then adjust expectations when entering the city, where the default right-on-red assumption flips.
Practical checklist for car hire visitors driving in New York
Use this quick mental checklist every time you approach a red light and think about turning right:
1) Is there a sign that explicitly permits right on red? If not, wait for green.
2) If there is a sign, does it have hours or school-day restrictions? If you cannot confirm it applies right now, wait for green.
3) Have you stopped fully behind the crosswalk? Do not creep into the crosswalk to peek.
4) Have you checked for pedestrians, bikes, and scooters? Look right, left, then right again, and check mirrors.
5) Can you turn without rushing? If you feel pressured by a horn, let it go and take the safe option.
NYC driving rewards patience. A delayed turn is rarely a problem, but a prohibited turn can create legal and safety issues that disrupt your trip.
FAQ
Is right turn on red allowed in New York City?
In most of NYC, it is not allowed unless a sign specifically permits it. If you do not see permission signage, wait for the green light.
What sign should I look for to know I can turn right on red?
Look for a sign stating that right on red is permitted after stop. Without an explicit permission sign, assume the turn is prohibited in NYC.
What if I see ‘NO TURN ON RED’ with times listed?
The ban applies during the posted times. Outside those times, you still need a permission sign to turn on red in NYC, so do not guess.
Can I turn right on red if the intersection is empty and it feels safe?
Not if it is prohibited by NYC’s default rule or a posted sign. Safety alone does not make it legal, and enforcement can still occur.
How can I avoid tickets when driving a car hire vehicle in NYC?
Assume right on red is banned unless permitted, stop fully behind the crosswalk, and yield to pedestrians and cyclists. When unsure, wait for green.
