California driving lesson · Lane Markings & Lane Types
White lines, lane-end markings & yield lines
A 3-minute lesson from the California course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
White lines separate lanes moving in the same direction. Solid white discourages or forbids lane changes; broken white means you may change lanes when safe.
Know the rule
A single solid white line marks traffic lanes going in the same direction, including on one-way streets.
Ending freeway and street lanes are usually marked with large broken lines. In such a lane, be prepared to exit or for the lane to end, and look for an exit or merge sign.
You're in the left lane beside a carpool lane separated by double solid white lines. You want to enter the carpool lane. Keep driving until the lines become a single broken white line, then signal and move over.
Check your understanding
Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.
What do double solid white lines typically separate?
Opposing directions of traffic
A bike lane from a parking lane
A regular lane from a carpool lane
A freeway from a frontage road
Answer: A regular lane from a carpool lane
Double solid white lines indicate a barrier between a regular lane and a preferential lane like an HOV lane.
