Pavement Markings and Lane Designations
Paint carries legal meaning
Pavement markings repeat and extend sign and signal rules. Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction or mark the right edge. A dashed line may be crossed when safe; a solid line discourages or prohibits crossing. A double solid yellow line means no passing in either direction. A broken yellow line on your side allows passing when clear.
Other markings include stop bars, crosswalks, turn arrows, hatched medians, bike lanes, and shared center turn lanes. A two-way left-turn lane is marked by solid and broken yellow lines and is used only for turning left into or out of adjacent driveways. White arrows show the required direction of travel for that lane. A stop bar shows where to stop at a signal or sign.
Traps: a yellow line does not always permit passing; read whether it is solid or broken on your side. A white line is not a lane divider between opposing traffic. A turn arrow in your lane means you must turn, not continue straight. Crosswalk markings are not parking spaces.
Worked example: You are in a lane marked with a white left-turn arrow only. You may not proceed straight through the intersection from that lane, even if no sign repeats the restriction.
Rule of thumb: yellow separates opposing traffic, white separates same-direction traffic; dashed permits, solid restricts.