roadwise.Open study app

District of Columbia driving lesson · Signs, Signals & Pavement Markings

Pavement markings: lines & arrows

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

Study this lesson in the app Back to the course
Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Signs, Signals & Pavement Markings
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
57, 58

Lines on the road guide, warn and regulate. Yellow lines separate traffic going in opposite directions; white lines separate lanes going the same way and mark the right edge.

Know the rule

Markings may be red, blue, yellow or white. Red is generally not used, though some communities use red curbs for no parking; red reflectors mark areas not to be entered, visible only to wrong-way traffic. Blue marks parking for persons with disabilities.

Handbook p. 57 ↗

Know the rule

Yellow center lines mean two-way traffic flowing in opposite directions.

Handbook p. 57 ↗

Yellow center lines

Yellow center lines
MarkingPassing rule
Broken yellowMay pass on the left either way when clear
Broken + solid yellowPass only from the broken-line side
Double solid yellowNo passing in either direction
Handbook p. 57 ↗
Broken yellow center line
Broken yellow center line
Solid and broken yellow lines
Solid and broken yellow lines
Double solid yellow lines
Double solid yellow lines

Know the rule

You may cross a double solid yellow line only to turn left, or to pass pedestrians, bicyclists, or riders of scooters or skateboards when the opposite lane is clear and it is safe. The same exception applies on the solid side of a solid/broken pair.

Handbook p. 57 ↗

White lines

White lines
MarkingMeaning
Broken whiteSame-direction lanes; change lanes with caution
Solid whiteTurn lanes; discourages lane changes; right edge
Double solid whiteSpecial-use lane (e.g. HOV); do not cross
Handbook p. 57 ↗

Know the rule

Solid white lines discourage lane changes near intersections, on- and off-ramps and other risky spots. Stop lines, crosswalks and parking spaces are also marked in white.

Handbook p. 57 ↗

Know the rule

Enter a lane set off by double solid white lines only where signs and markings allow.

Handbook p. 58 ↗
Solid white line
Double solid white lines

Know the rule

White lane arrows: a curved arrow, or a curved arrow with ONLY, means you must turn that way. A curved and a straight arrow together mean you may turn or go straight.

Handbook p. 57 ↗

Put it into practice

On a two-lane road with double solid yellow lines, a cyclist is riding slowly ahead and the oncoming lane is empty. You may cross the lines to pass the cyclist with at least three feet of room, but you may not cross them to pass a slow car.

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.

Yellow center lines on a roadway generally indicate what kind of traffic flow?
  1. One-way traffic only
  2. A reversible lane
  3. A bicycle-only lane
  4. Two-way traffic flowing in opposite directions

Answer: Two-way traffic flowing in opposite directions

Yellow center lines mean two-way traffic is flowing in opposite directions on either side.

Handbook p. 57 ↗
What does a broken yellow center line allow?
  1. Passing on the left when it's clear
  2. No passing in either direction
  3. Passing only for emergency vehicles
  4. U-turns at any point

Answer: Passing on the left when it's clear

A broken yellow center line permits passing on the left from either direction when it's clear.

Handbook p. 57 ↗
What do double solid yellow lines mean?
  1. Passing is allowed from both directions
  2. No passing, except left turns or cyclists
  3. The road is one-way only
  4. The lines mark a bicycle lane

Answer: No passing, except left turns or cyclists

Double solid yellow lines forbid passing in either direction, with narrow exceptions for left turns or passing cyclists/pedestrians.

Handbook p. 57 ↗
What do broken white lines on a roadway indicate?
  1. Two-way traffic separation
  2. A no-passing zone
  3. A pedestrian crossing
  4. Same-direction lanes; change with caution

Answer: Same-direction lanes; change with caution

Broken white lines separate same-direction lanes; you may change lanes across them with caution.

Handbook p. 57 ↗
Solid white lines discourage lane changes near intersections and also mark the right edge of the pavement.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Solid white lines mark turn lanes, the pavement edge, and discourage lane changes at certain locations.

Handbook p. 57 ↗
Blue pavement markings are used to show parking spaces reserved for persons with disabilities.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Blue pavement markings indicate parking spaces for persons with disabilities.

Handbook p. 57 ↗
Take the lesson checkpoint in the app

More in Signs, Signals & Pavement Markings

All District of Columbia lessons