Florida Drivers Handbook - Pavement Markings Lines, symbols and words are often painted on a roadway to help direct drivers and control traffic flow. You must know what the different lines and colors mean and obey them as you would traffic signs or signals. Traffic signals apply to drivers, motorcycle riders, bicyclists, moped-riders and pedestrians. Red light: At a red light, come to a complete stop at the stop line or, if there is no stop line, before entering the intersection or before reaching the crosswalk. Remain stopped as long as the signal is red, unless turns are allowed. A pavement marking is just like traffic signals or traffic police warden. These markings are a part of a communication system for road users. Pavement markings communicate to drivers where to position their vehicles, warn about upcoming conditions, and indicate where passing is allowed.
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Pavement Markings and What Colors Mean
Pavement markings are typically white or yellow. Other colors exist, but white and yellow are the most common colors and the ones you must know the meaning of for your written DMV test and permit practice.
When you see white and yellow lines separate travel lanes or mark the center of the road, they tell you if traffic is traveling in one or two directions. Yellow lines separate traffic in opposite directions and white lines separate traffic lanes moving in the same direction. Illinois drivers license practice test in spanish.
Yellow Lines
On a road with yellow lines in the center of the road, traffic travels in opposite directions. You are on a two-way roadway and must drive to the right of these lines.
If there is a single solid yellow line painted on the left edge, you are traveling on a divided highway or a one-way street. The yellow line often marks the edge of the median or divider. There is usually one on each side of the divider.
The right edge of the roadway is marked with a normal solid white line (edge line).
Remember: if there is a yellow line is on your right and a white line on your left, you are going the wrong way.
A yellow (center) line must always be on your left!
Yellow Lines and No-Passing Zones
On a two-way roadway, the yellow center markings can consist of:
- A. A normal broken yellow line.
- B. A double yellow line, one of which is a normal broken yellow line and the other is a normal solid yellow line.
- C. Two normal solid yellow lines (a double yellow line).
A normal broken yellow line marks a two-direction passing zone. Traffic traveling in either direction may pass other vehicles with care and when the way ahead is clear.
Where there is one solid yellow line and one broken yellow line, traffic traveling adjacent to the broken line may pass other vehicles with care, but traffic traveling adjacent to the solid line is prohibited from passing.
Two normal solid yellow lines mean that traffic from either direction is prohibited from passing.
If you travel on an undivided two-way roadway with four or more lanes, the center of the road is marked with a solid double yellow line. Don’t drive to the left of the center, unless you must cross the lines to turn left.
Crossing Solid Yellow Lines to Pass a Bicyclist
Solid yellow lines mark no-passing zones. You may not cross these lines to pass other vehicles.
Some states make an exception for slow-moving bicycles or other obstructions in your travel lane. In Florida, as an example, you may cross the lines when an obstruction exists making it necessary to drive to the left of the center of the highway. When a bicyclist is traveling so slowly as to constitute an obstruction, a motorist may cross the center line in a no-passing zone if the way is clear and it is safe to do so.
Remember, the solid yellow line is there for a reason. In many situations, it may be dangerous to pass. Don’t try to pass the bicyclist by giving less clearance or squeeze the bicyclist off the road. If state laws prohibit passing or if you don’t have a clear view of the road ahead, stay behind the bicyclist until it is safe to pass.
Crossing Solid Yellow Lines to Turn Left
You can cross yellow lines in a no-passing zone to turn left turn into a driveway or side road.
Unless state law specifies otherwise, you may also be allowed to make a U-turn across a single or a a double yellow line. You should make sure you know and understand the law in your state.
Two-way Center Turn Lane
A center lane with a normal broken yellow line and a normal solid yellow line on each side indicate a two-way left-turn lane. This lane is used by traffic in either direction as part of a left-turn maneuver. The broken yellow line is inside two-way left-turn lane and the solid line is painted toward the adjacent traffic lane as shown in the illustration.
You cannot use this lane as a normal travel lane or use it to pass other vehicles. Safari for mac os x 10.4 11. You should only enter this lane when preparing for a left turn.
Users often misunderstand the arrows painted on the pavement, thinking that the lane is for both left and right turns. It isn’t.
Reversible lanes
You will see reversible lanes on highways where certain lanes are open for traffic in one direction during morning commute and in the other direction during evening commute. Free lane capacity is used to improve traffic flow in peak hours and during special events. Special lane-use control signals show you if you can use a reversible lane or not.
Pavement markings in a reversible lane consists of a normal broken double yellow line on each side of the lane.
You must not cross the yellow lines to a reversible lane, unless lane-use control signals indicate that the lane may be used for through travel in your direction or for a left turn.
White Lines
White lines separate travel lanes moving in one direction.
These pavement markings can consist of:
- A. A normal or wide dotted white line
- B. A broken white line
- C. A normal or wide solid white line – discourages crossing
- D. A normal or wide double white line – prohibits crossing
Dotted white lane lines separate a through lane from deceleration or acceleration lane, or a through lane that becomes a mandatory exit or turn lane.
A normal broken white line separates lanes where you are permitted to change lanes. Cross the lane line markings with care.
When normal or wide solid white lines are painted between travel lanes, you should stay in your lane. The solid line means that crossing the line marking is discouraged. You should only change lane when it is necessary to avoid an incident.
The solid white lane line marking is often used to separate a through lane from an added mandatory turn lane at intersections. Once you have entered your lane, don’t change your mind in the last second. Respect the pavement markings.
If a double white line separate travel lanes, you are prohibited from crossing the line. You must not change lanes for any reason.
Other Pavement Markings You Should Know
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Sharrows: They are Shared Lane Markings. Such markings simply remind you that the traffic land can be used by both motorists and bicyclists. Note the difference between a designated bicycle lane and a shared roadway (sharrow) that is also open for motorists.
HOV lanes: These lanes are reserved for certain vehicles and marked with a white diamond symbol. Signs beside the lane will indicate what vehicles can use the lane.
Stop or limit lines: Such lines are white and painted across the travel lane at intersections and indicate where you must stop your vehicle, when required to do so by a sign or signal. If there is no stop line, you must stop before entering a crosswalk or the intersection.
Summary: Everything You Need to Know in This Video!
This video summarizes everything you need to know about road markings for your State’s DMV test.
DMV Test Questions about Yellow and White Lines
Question 1: Yellow lines on the pavement:
- A. Separate traffic going in the same direction
- B. Mark carpool lanes and evacuation routes
- C. Indicate a school zone or school bus stop
- D. Separate traffic going in the opposite directions
ANSWER: D. Yellow lines mark the center of the road and separate traffic going in opposite directions. A yellow line should always be on your left side. If a yellow pavement marking is on your right, you are going the wrong way.
Question 2: What pavement markings separate lanes with traffic going in the same direction?
- A. White lines
- B. Yellow broken lines
- C. Yellow solid lines
- D. Red lines
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ANSWER: A. White lines separate lanes going in the same direction. They may be broken/dashed, solid, or double solid.
Question 3: What line is used to mark the road edge on your right side?
- A. A white solid line
- B. A yellow broken line
- C. A white broken line
- D. A yellow solid line
ANSWER: A. White solid lines mark the road edge on your right-hand side.
Remember: White lines separate traffic going in the same direction and mark the road edge. Yellow lines mark the center of the road and separate traffic going in opposite directions.
DMV Test Questions about No-passing Zones
Question 4: It is against the law to cross a double solid yellow center line:
- A. To make left turn from a driveway
- B. To pass another car
- C. To make a left turn into a private road
- D. All the above
ANSWER: B. Pavement markings with a double solid yellow center line marks a no-passing zone. Traffic from either direction is prohibited from drive to the left of the double solid yellow line to pass other vehicles. The line may be crossed to turn into or from a driveway, private road or an alley. You may normally also cross the line when an obstruction makes it necessary to drive to the left of the line.
Question 5: When can you cross yellow center lines to pass another vehicle?
- A. There are two solid yellow center lines and no oncoming traffic
- B. Your side of the road has a solid yellow center line
- C. There are two solid yellow center lines and your speed is less than 25 mph
- D. Your side of the road has a broken line
ANSWER: D. Where there is one solid yellow line and one broken yellow line, traffic traveling adjacent to the broken line may pass other vehicles with care, but traffic traveling adjacent to the solid line is prohibited from passing.
Question 6: In this picture, car A may pass the vehicle ahead:
- A. Only if car A uses the horn
- B. Only if car B is moves to the side
- C. Only if the way is clear
- D. Under no circumstances
ANSWER: C. You may drive to the left of a yellow broken line if the way is clear.
DMV Test Questions about White Lines
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Question 7: If you are traveling on a road with solid white lines between lanes of traffic, you should:
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- A. Not pass other vehicles for any reason
- B. Not cross lines unless it is necessary
- C. Cross lines if the way is clear
- D. Stay in your lane under all circumstances
ANSWER: B. Pavement markings consisting of solid white lines mean that changing lanes is discouraged. Stay in your lane unless it is necessary to cross lines to avoid danger.
Question 8: What does a double solid white line between travel lanes mean?
- A. Crossing the line is prohibited
- B. You must exit the highway
- C. Crossing the line is allowed, but discouraged
- D. Passing other vehicles is prohibited
ANSWER: A. A double solid white line separates two lanes of traffic going in the same direction. Crossing a double solid white line is not allowed.
Other Pavement Markings
Question 9: A center lane with a normal broken yellow line and a normal solid yellow line on each side indicate:
- A. An evacuation lane
- B. A shared left turn lane
- C. A median that must not be crossed
- D. A carpool lane
ANSWER: B. A center lane with a normal broken yellow line and a normal solid yellow line on each side indicate a two-way left-turn lane (also called a shared left turn lane).
Question 10: A shared center lane for turning can be used:
- A. For passing slower vehicles
- B. For both left and right turns
- C. By traffic from both directions
- D. For parking
ANSWER: C. This lane is used by traffic in either direction as part of a left-turn maneuver. It cannot be used for right turns!
Question 11: Lanes marked on both sides by double-broken yellow lines are:
- A. Reversible lanes
- B. Emergency lanes
- C. Carpool lanes
- D. Turn lanes
ANSWER: A. Reversible travel lanes are designed to carry traffic in one direction at certain times and in the opposite direction at other times. These lanes are usually marked by double-dashed yellow lines. Before you start driving in them, check to see which lanes you can use at that time.
Learn more at Driver’s Prep: Pavement Markings and What They Mean.
Take an interactive test about pavement markings here: