Pavement Markings: Colors, Lines, and Special Lanes
The pavement markings domain tests whether you can read line color, line pattern, and special lane markings and apply them to passing, turning, and lane use. California uses yellow for opposite-direction traffic and white for same-direction traffic or roadway edges.
Color and line pattern
- Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions.
- Broken yellow on your side: passing is allowed when safe and legal.
- Solid yellow on your side: do not pass.
- Double solid yellow: no passing in either direction.
- White lines separate lanes moving in the same direction or mark the right edge.
- Broken white lane line: lane change allowed when safe.
- Solid white lane line: discourages or prohibits crossing, depending on the marking.
- Crosswalks, stop lines, and yield lines show where to stop or yield before pedestrians and intersections.
- Painted islands and chevrons are not driving surface; do not drive over them.
Special lanes
A two-way left turn lane is marked by yellow lines and may be entered only to prepare for a left turn or a permitted U-turn. Do not use it to pass or as a travel lane. A diamond symbol marks a high-occupancy vehicle lane; check the posted occupancy and hours before entering. Bike lanes and bus-only lanes are marked with symbols and signs; do not drive in them unless the law allows it.
Worked example
You see a broken yellow line on your side and a solid yellow line on the other side. A slow truck is ahead. You may pass if the road is clear, no sign prohibits passing, and you can complete the pass before the broken line becomes solid. You may not cross a double solid yellow to pass.
Traps that cost marks
Passing over double yellow; using a center left-turn lane to travel; mistaking a white line for an opposite-direction divider; stopping in a painted island; crossing a solid white edge line; and ignoring a stop line before a crosswalk.