Roadwise States Colorado Driving lessons Pavement markings Colorado driving lesson · Traffic Signals, Signs & Markings
Pavement markings 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.
Read time 3 minutes
Course unit Traffic Signals, Signs & Markings
Checkpoint questions 6
Source pages 12 Lines on the road divide lanes, show where you may pass or change lanes, mark turn lanes and crosswalks, and show where to stop. The key: yellow lines separate opposite directions, white lines separate lanes going the same way.
Broken yellow center line Know the rule
Exception to solid and double solid yellow: you may pass a bicyclist with at least three feet of space when the oncoming lane is clear.
Handbook p. 12 ↗ Know the rule
When passing on a broken yellow line, return to your lane before the broken lines turn solid.
Handbook p. 12 ↗ Know the rule
You may cross a solid yellow line to turn left into an alley, private road or driveway, when it can be done safely.
Handbook p. 12 ↗ Solid and broken yellow lines White lines (same direction): Broken white: you may change lanes if it is safe Solid white: stay within your lane; also marks the road's shoulder Handbook p. 12 ↗ Bike-related markings: Green paint: a lane or area designated for bicyclists that makes them more visible Sharrows: shared lane markings meaning the lane may be too narrow to ride side-by-side with cars Conflict Zones: broken lines in a bike or bus lane where drivers and bicyclists cross paths Handbook p. 12 ↗ Sharrow (shared lane marking) Crosswalk A marked or unmarked part of the road where pedestrians have the right-of-way to cross. Yield by slowing or stopping for them.
Handbook p. 12 ↗ Know the rule
If a vehicle ahead is stopped at a crosswalk, do not pass it. Stop behind it, or behind the crosswalk in the next lane on a multi-lane road.
Handbook p. 12 ↗ Put it into practice
On a two-lane road, the center has a solid yellow line on your side and a broken one on the other. You may not pass a slow car, but if a bicyclist is ahead and the oncoming lane is clear, you may pass giving at least three feet.
A useful reminder Yellow = opposite directions, white = same direction. The line closest to you is the one that applies.
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 broken yellow center line indicate? The lane is reserved for buses Passing is never permitted Passing is permitted You are entering a one-way street Answer: Passing is permitted
A broken yellow line separating opposite-direction traffic means passing is permitted when safe.
Handbook p. 12 ↗ What does a solid white line on the roadway generally mean? Passing is allowed if safe Stay in lane; marks the shoulder The lane is for bicycles only You may change lanes at any time Answer: Stay in lane; marks the shoulder
A solid white line requires you to stay within your lane and also marks the roadway shoulder.
Handbook p. 12 ↗ Under what circumstance may you legally cross a solid yellow line? To pass a bicyclist with at least 3 feet of space Whenever traffic is light To pass any slow vehicle At any four-way stop Answer: To pass a bicyclist with at least 3 feet of space
You may cross a solid yellow line to pass a bicyclist with a minimum of 3 feet of clearance when it can be done safely.
Handbook p. 12 ↗ What does green paint on the roadway typically indicate? A no-parking zone A bicycle area A pedestrian crosswalk A bus-only lane Answer: A bicycle area
Green paint marks a lane or area designated for bicyclists and increases their visibility.
Handbook p. 12 ↗ If a vehicle ahead of you is stopped at a crosswalk for a pedestrian, what should you do? Pass carefully on the left Pass carefully on the right Pass only if the crosswalk is unmarked Don't pass; stop behind it Answer: Don't pass; stop behind it
You must not pass a vehicle stopped at a crosswalk, since the driver may be yielding to a pedestrian you can't see.
Handbook p. 12 ↗ On a road with a solid yellow line on your side and a broken yellow line on the other, what must you do? You must treat it as a double solid line for both directions You may not pass, since the solid line is on your side You may pass only at intersections You may pass if traffic allows Answer: You may not pass, since the solid line is on your side
When the solid yellow line is on your side, you may not pass — only the driver with the broken line on their side may pass.
Handbook p. 12 ↗ Previous lesson Bicycle, slow-moving & disabled parking signs Next lesson Lane rules & special-use lanes More in Traffic Signals, Signs & Markings About the source Roadwise’s Colorado course uses the driver handbook edition supplied with this study pack. This lesson cites source pages 12. 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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