Roadwise States California Driving lessons Yellow lane lines California driving lesson · Lane Markings & Lane Types
Yellow lane 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.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Lane Markings & Lane Types
Checkpoint questions 5
Source pages 19 Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. Their pattern tells you whether you may pass, and when you may cross them to turn.
Know the rule
A single solid yellow line marks the center of a road with two-way traffic.
Handbook p. 19 ↗ Know the rule
Do not pass the vehicle ahead if there is only one lane going your direction and a solid yellow line is on your side of the road.
Handbook p. 19 ↗ Know the rule
Do not pass over double solid yellow lines. Stay to the right of them except in the cases below.
Handbook p. 19 ↗ You may cross double solid yellow lines only when: In an HOV carpool lane that has a designated entrance on the left Construction or other signs tell you to drive on the other side because your side is closed or blocked Turning left across a single set of double yellow lines into or out of a driveway or private road Making a U-turn across a single set of double yellow lines Handbook p. 19 ↗ Barrier (two sets of double yellow lines) Two sets of solid double yellow lines spaced two or more feet apart. Treat it as a wall.
Handbook p. 19 ↗ Know the rule
Do not drive on or over a barrier, and do not make a left turn or U-turn across it, except at designated openings.
Handbook p. 19 ↗ 2 ft Two sets of double yellow lines at least this far apart form a barrier
Handbook p. 19 ↗ Know the rule
A broken yellow line means you may pass if the broken line is next to your driving lane. Only pass when it is safe.
Handbook p. 19 ↗ A barrier ends at an opening marked U-TURN OK; cross only at such openings Put it into practice
You're on a two-lane road with one solid and one broken yellow line; the solid line is on your side. You may not pass here. The driver coming the other way, with the broken line next to their lane, may pass when it's safe.
A useful reminder One set of double yellows: you may turn left across it into a driveway. Two sets 2+ feet apart: never cross except at an opening.
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 does a single solid yellow line mark? A bike-only lane The edge of a freeway shoulder Lanes going the same direction Center of a two-way road Answer: Center of a two-way road
A single solid yellow line marks the center of a two-way road.
Handbook p. 19 ↗ When may you cross a single set of double solid yellow lines? To pass a slow vehicle when clear To turn left into a driveway or make a U-turn To park on the left side of the road When traffic behind you is heavy Answer: To turn left into a driveway or make a U-turn
You may turn left across a single set of double yellow lines to enter or exit a driveway or private road, or make a U-turn.
Handbook p. 19 ↗ Two sets of double yellow lines spaced two or more feet apart are treated as what? A passing zone A barrier A center left turn lane A bicycle buffer Answer: A barrier
Two sets of double yellow lines two or more feet apart are a barrier; do not drive over it or turn across it except at designated openings.
Handbook p. 19 ↗ A broken yellow line next to your lane means you may do what? Do not pass Pass only on the right Pass, when it is safe Turn left only Answer: Pass, when it is safe
A broken yellow line next to your driving lane means you may pass when it is safe.
Handbook p. 19 ↗ You may pass over double solid yellow lines whenever you like as long as no one is coming. True False Answer: False
Double solid yellow lines may only be crossed in specific situations, such as HOV entry or a permitted left turn/U-turn.
Handbook p. 19 ↗ Previous lesson Emergency flashers & breakdowns Next lesson White lines, lane-end markings & yield lines More in Lane Markings & Lane Types About the source Roadwise’s California course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 19. The linked PDF is a third-party mirror of the handbook, rather than a government-hosted page.
Open the handbook source PDF · View the source edition
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