Colorado driving lesson · Lane Controls & Right-of-Way
Lane rules & special-use lanes
A 3-minute lesson from the Colorado course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.
Most lanes are open to everyone, but some are reserved: for bikes, transit, carpools or left turns only. Signs and markings, often a white diamond, tell you who may use them and when.
Know the rule
As a general rule, drive on the right half of the road. Use only one lane; do not straddle lanes.
On roads without marked lanes, drive just to the right of the center of the road and don't drive on the shoulder. The same passing and turning rules apply.
Restricted lanes are marked by signs or pavement markings; there may be a white diamond in the lane and/or a sign stating its use (for example, transit or bicycle lanes).
Bike lanes are for the exclusive use of bicyclists and other authorized users, who have the right-of-way there. Drivers may not drive, idle, park in or otherwise block a bike lane.
Part of the street, marked by signs and markings, reserved for preferential or exclusive use by transit vehicles such as buses or light rail, sometimes with limited use by others.
A two-way left-turn (center turn) lane is only for vehicles turning left, from either direction. Never use it to pass or travel. You may stop in it until it's safe to turn.
Lanes carrying traffic one way at some times and the opposite way at others, separated by a barrier or double-broken yellow lines, with side/overhead signs or special lights.
An interchange that crosses traffic to the opposite side of the road so vehicles move onto freeway ramps without interruption, eliminating left-turn conflicts.
You need to turn left into a shopping center from a street with a center turn lane. Move into the center lane, stop there if needed until traffic clears, then turn. Don't drive along it or use it to get around slow traffic.
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.
As a general rule, on which side of the road must you drive?
The left half
Whichever side has less traffic
The right half
The center of the road
Answer: The right half
As a general rule, you must drive your vehicle on the right half of the road.
