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Connecticut driving lesson · Signs, Signals & Pavement Markings

Pavement lines: white, yellow, solid and dashed

A 3-minute lesson from the Connecticut course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Signs, Signals & Pavement Markings
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
45, 46

Lines on the road tell you where the edge is, which way traffic flows, and whether you may pass. Two quick rules: white lines separate traffic going your way, yellow lines separate traffic going opposite ways. Dashed means you may cross; solid means stay put.

Know the rule

Edge lines are solid lines showing the edge of the road: solid white on the right edge, and solid yellow on the left edge of divided streets or roadways.

Handbook p. 45 ↗

Know the rule

Lane lines are white lines separating lanes moving in the same direction.

Handbook p. 45 ↗
Broken white line
Dashed white lane line: same direction, you may change lanes when safe

Know the rule

A dashed white line between lanes means you may cross to change lanes if it's safe. A solid white line between lanes means stay in your lane unless a special situation requires a change.

Handbook p. 45 ↗
Solid white line
Solid white lane line: stay in your lane

Know the rule

Center lines are yellow lines separating traffic moving in opposite directions. A dashed yellow line separates single lanes going opposite ways, and passing is allowed.

Handbook p. 45 ↗
Broken yellow center line
Dashed yellow center line: two-way traffic, passing allowed

Know the rule

A dashed yellow line next to a solid yellow line means passing is permitted from the side of the broken line, but not from the side of the solid line.

Handbook p. 46 ↗
Solid and broken yellow lines
Dashed and solid yellow: only the dashed side may pass

Know the rule

Solid double yellow lines mark the center of a road with traffic in opposite directions — no passing. They may be crossed to make a left turn to or from an alley, private road, driveway or street.

Handbook p. 46 ↗
Double solid yellow lines
Double solid yellow: no passing from either direction

Know the rule

A double solid white line prohibits lane changing.

Handbook p. 46 ↗

Know the rule

Yield lines are used where drivers must yield, such as at a mid-block crosswalk.

Handbook p. 45 ↗

Know the rule

When a sign or signal requires you to stop, stop before your vehicle reaches the stop line. Crosswalks define where pedestrians may cross; yield to pedestrians in or about to enter one. Not all crosswalks are marked.

Handbook p. 46 ↗

Put it into practice

On a two-lane road the center shows a solid yellow line on your side and a dashed yellow line on the far side. You may not pass from your side; oncoming drivers, next to the dashed line, may pass when it's safe.

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 solid white lines on the right edge of the roadway indicate?
  1. The road's edge
  2. A passing zone
  3. A bicycle lane
  4. A no-parking zone

Answer: The road's edge

Solid white lines are used on the right of the roadway to show you where the edge of the road is.

Handbook p. 45 ↗
What does a dashed white line between lanes moving in the same direction indicate?
  1. It marks a reversible lane
  2. You must never change lanes
  3. It marks a bicycle lane
  4. You may change lanes safely

Answer: You may change lanes safely

Dashed white lines between lanes moving in the same direction indicate you may cross to change lanes if safe.

Handbook p. 45 ↗
A dashed yellow line runs alongside a solid yellow line. On which side may you pass?
  1. On both sides equally
  2. On the dashed-line side only
  3. On neither side
  4. On the side of the solid line only

Answer: On the dashed-line side only

Passing is permitted on the side of the broken line, but not on the side of the solid line.

Handbook p. 46 ↗
What does a double solid yellow line down the center of the roadway indicate?
  1. No passing from either direction
  2. Only right turns are allowed
  3. Passing is allowed from either direction
  4. The lane is reversible

Answer: No passing from either direction

Solid double yellow lines mark the center where passing is not allowed, though you may cross to turn into a driveway or street.

Handbook p. 46 ↗
You need to make a left turn into a driveway across a solid double yellow line. Is this legal?
  1. Yes, but only for right turns
  2. Yes, but only if a police officer is present
  3. No, solid double yellow lines can never be crossed
  4. Yes, you may cross it to turn into a driveway

Answer: Yes, you may cross it to turn into a driveway

Solid yellow lines may be crossed to make a left turn to or from an alley, private road, driveway, or street.

Handbook p. 46 ↗
What does a solid white line between lanes moving in the same direction indicate?
  1. The lane is closed ahead
  2. Stay in your lane unless a change is required
  3. It marks a reversible lane
  4. You may change lanes freely at any time

Answer: Stay in your lane unless a change is required

Solid white lines between lanes indicate you should stay in your lane unless a special situation requires changing.

Handbook p. 45 ↗
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