Pavement markings guide you without making you look away from the road. Color tells direction: yellow separates opposite-direction traffic, white separates same-direction lanes. Solid discourages or forbids crossing; broken permits it.
White lines
| Marking | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Single broken white | Same direction; changing lanes permitted |
| Single solid white | Right edge; lane changing discouraged |
| Double solid white | Same direction; lane changes not allowed |
| Dotted (white or yellow) | Continues lane lines through intersections |
Know the rule
Double solid white lines may also separate general lanes from HOV lanes, or come before obstructions you may pass on either side.
Handbook p. 24 ↗Yellow lines
| Marking | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Single broken yellow | 2-lane, 2-way center line; careful passing |
| Single solid yellow | Left edge: divided highways, one-way roads, ramps |
| Double solid yellow | Opposite directions; no passing either way |
| Solid plus broken yellow | Pass only from the broken-line side |
| Double broken yellow | Edges of reversible lanes |
Know the rule
You may make a left turn across a double solid yellow line, for example into a driveway.
Handbook p. 24 ↗Know the rule
Solid-plus-broken yellow lines also mark two-way left turn lanes, with solid lines on the outside and broken lines on the inside.
Handbook p. 24 ↗Divided highway
A road with a guardrail, strip of land, or other barrier between traffic travelling in each direction.
Handbook p. 24 ↗Word and symbol markings tell you:
- How to use a lane, and what direction to travel (often with arrows)
- About lane reductions (e.g., two lanes becoming one)
- 'SCHOOL' and 'RxR': you're approaching a school area or railroad crossing
Yield lines
Rows of small triangles across the lane that show where you must yield to other vehicles or pedestrians.
Handbook p. 25 ↗Know the rule
A stop line is a solid white line showing where to stop for a STOP sign or red signal. Crosswalk lines are solid white lines showing where pedestrians cross.
Handbook p. 25 ↗Shared-use lane markings (mostly in cities):
- Alert drivers that bicyclists may be on the road
- Tell bicyclists where to ride
- Discourage biking in the wrong direction
Know the rule
Bike lanes are separated from motor vehicle lanes by solid or broken white lines, and may be marked with signs or bicycle symbols and arrows.
Handbook p. 25 ↗Put it into practice
On a two-lane road you see a solid yellow line on your side and a broken yellow line on the other. You may not pass, but drivers coming the other way may pass with care. You may still turn left across it into a driveway.