Pavement Markings and Object Markers
Pavement Markings and Object Markers covers the painted lines and reflective devices that supplement signs. Montana's test checks whether you can read center lines, lane lines, stop bars, crosswalks, and obstruction markers and apply them to passing and lane-choice decisions.
Core rules
- Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction or mark the right edge, stop bars, and crosswalks.
- A broken yellow center line means you may pass when safe if your side is broken. A solid yellow line means no passing on your side. Double solid yellow means neither direction may pass.
- A double yellow line with one solid and one broken line means passing is allowed only on the side with the broken line.
- Broken white lane lines separate lanes going the same way and may be crossed when safe. Solid white edge lines mark the right edge; do not cross them to pass.
- A white stop bar shows where to stop for a signal or stop sign. Crosswalk lines mark pedestrian space; stop before the crosswalk, not on it.
- Object markers mark obstructions such as bridge piers, islands, and equipment. On a striped object marker, the diagonal stripes slope downward toward the side on which traffic should pass. Pass on the side the stripes slope toward.
Worked example
A two-lane road has double solid yellow lines. A slow truck is ahead, and the opposite lane is clear. Reasoning: double solid yellow prohibits passing in both directions, so the clear opposite lane does not make the pass legal. Wait behind the truck until a broken yellow line appears on your side and you can see enough clear road. If an object marker on a bridge pier has stripes sloping down to the right, pass on the right.
Traps
Do not pass on double yellow just because the road looks empty. Do not treat yellow as same-direction traffic; yellow separates opposing traffic. Do not cross a solid white edge line to pass a vehicle on the shoulder. Do not misread the slope of an object marker. Do not stop on a crosswalk or railroad crossing while waiting in traffic.