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Mississippi driving lesson · Pavement Markings & Lane Use

Arrows, turn lanes & crosswalks

A 3-minute lesson from the Mississippi 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
Pavement Markings & Lane Use
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
26

An arrow painted in a lane tells you what you must do from that lane, so pick your lane early. Crosswalks mark where people on foot cross, and pedestrians get the right of way there even where no lines are painted.

Know the rule

Approaching an intersection with directional arrows, look for the arrow marking the lane you want. If you end up in the wrong lane, keep going in that lane until it's safe to turn off and get back on the correct street or highway.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
Lane-use arrows (left/straight/right only)
Left only, straight only, right only

What the arrow in your lane means:

  • Arrow pointing left: you MUST turn left
  • Straight arrow: you MUST continue straight
  • Arrow pointing right: you MUST turn right
  • Two-headed straight-and-left arrow: you may go straight OR turn left
  • Two-headed straight-and-right arrow: you may go straight OR turn right
Handbook p. 26 ↗
Combined straight and turn lane arrows
Two-headed arrows: straight or turn
Two-way left turn lane arrows
Center lane marked TURN LANE ONLY

Know the rule

A center lane painted as TURN LANE ONLY may be used ONLY to prepare to turn left or right across the opposite lanes. It is NEVER used for passing.

Handbook p. 26 ↗

Know the rule

Painted crosswalks are placed at intersections and other places with regular pedestrian traffic. Approach them with care, and never stop your car on any part of a crosswalk.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
Crosswalk
Painted crosswalk

Know the rule

Drivers must always yield to pedestrians in crosswalks, even if the crosswalk is not marked. Pedestrians should check both directions before crossing.

Handbook p. 26 ↗

Put it into practice

You're in a lane with a left-only arrow but meant to go straight. Don't cut across at the last second. Turn left as the arrow requires, then get back on your route 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.

If you're stuck in a lane marked with an arrow pointing only left, what must you do?
  1. Merge into the next lane immediately
  2. Turn right if it's safer
  3. Turn left
  4. Continue straight if traffic allows

Answer: Turn left

An arrow pointing left means you MUST turn left if you travel in that lane.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
A center lane on a road is painted with turn arrows in both directions and marked TURN LANE ONLY. What is it for?
  1. General through travel when other lanes are busy
  2. Parking briefly to load or unload
  3. Passing slower traffic
  4. Preparing to turn left or right across the opposing lanes

Answer: Preparing to turn left or right across the opposing lanes

A center turn lane may be used only in preparation to turn; it is never used for passing.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
You must yield to a pedestrian crossing the street at a location with no painted crosswalk lines. Is this correct?
  1. No, unmarked crossings have no legal status
  2. No, only marked crosswalks require you to yield
  3. Yes
  4. Only if the pedestrian is a child

Answer: Yes

You must yield to pedestrians in crosswalks even when the crosswalk is not marked with paint.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
What should you do if you find yourself in the wrong lane as you approach an intersection marked with directional arrows?
  1. Keep going in that lane until it's safe to turn off and get back on route
  2. Stop immediately in the lane
  3. Cross several lanes at once to correct your position
  4. Turn from the wrong lane if you signal

Answer: Keep going in that lane until it's safe to turn off and get back on route

If you're in the wrong lane, continue in it until it's safe to turn off and rejoin the correct street or highway.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
What should pedestrians using a crosswalk do before crossing the street?
  1. Wait for a driver to wave them across
  2. Raise a hand to stop traffic
  3. Check in both directions
  4. Cross quickly without stopping

Answer: Check in both directions

Pedestrians using crosswalks should check in both directions before crossing the street.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
A center turn lane marked with arrows in both directions may be used for passing slower traffic.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

The turn lane is reserved for preparing to turn and is never used for passing.

Handbook p. 26 ↗
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