section 2 - pavement markings

double yellow lines

mark the center of the road and and separate traffic traveling in two different directions. Passing is not allowed in either direction. You may not cross the lines unless you are making a left turn or passing pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of scooters and skateboards, when the opposite lane is clear and you can pass safely.

X and RR

Pavement markings, consisting of X and RR, may be painted on the pavement at the approach to some railroad crossings.

dotted white lines

actually small rectangles in a series where each is closely spaced to the next. They are used to show lane assignment in intersections and interchanges where there might otherwise be a tendency to drift out of a lane or an area of intended use. Often they are used to guide two turning lanes through the intersection. Dotted white lines are also used to denote the opening of a turn lane at an intersection and entrance/exit lanes at interchanges.

shared lane (sharrow)

appear on lanes too narrow for bikes and cars to ride side-by-side. drivers should expect bicyclists on the road, seeing as bicyclists are encouraged to ride in the lane.

what does a center lane with a single yellow broken line on both sides mean?

drivers traveling in either direction may use the center lane for passing

what does a center lane with a solid yellow line and a broken yell line on both sides mean?

drivers traveling in either direction may use the lane for making left turns, but they may only travel for 150 feet or less in this lane

bicycle lanes

for the preferential use of bicyclists. Drivers should not drive in this w]lane except when necessary for turning left or right. Before turning, check mirrors for bicyclists that may be behind you and yield to bicycles in the lane.

red markings

generally not used; but, some communities do use red curbs to indicate no parking zones.

white curved and straight arrows

if a lane is marked with a curved arrow or a curved arrow and the word ONLY, you must turn in that direction. If your lane is marked with both a curved and straight arrow, you may turn or go straight.

yield line

line of triangles extending across the roadway and may be used with a yield sign. It shows the point at which you must yield or stop, if necessary; often seen at start of roundabout.

high occupancy vehicles (HOV) lanes

marked with diamond shape, but may also be separated by a barrier or solid double white lines. During heavy traffic periods, HOV lanes are reserved for buses, vanpools, carpools, other high occupancy vehicles, motorcycles, and certain clean special fuel vehicles. Road signs show the minimum number of passengers a vehicle must carry (excluding motorcycles and clean fuel vehicles) to use the HOV lanes and the times that HOV restrictions are in effect. A diamond may indicate that the lane is reserved for use as a bus lane. (note: top image only)

broken yellow line alongside a solid yellow line

passing is allowed from the side of the broken line, but not from the side of the solid line. Vehicles on the solid yellow line may only cross the line to pass pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of scooters or skateboards, when the opposite lane is clear and you can pass safely

broken yellow center lines

passing on the left is allowed in either direction when the way ahead is clear

pavement marking purpose

road markings guide and warn drivers as well as regulate traffic. Markings may be red, blue, yellow, or white. They may be used alone or in combinations.

middle lane on a three lane road moving opposite directions purpose

road markings show when drivers may use the center lane for making left turns or for passing

double solid white lines

separate lanes of traffic going in the same direction. Most often they are used to designate special use lane from conventional lanes, as when used to separate a High Occupancy Vehicle lanes from the other lanes of an expressway. You may not cross these lines. You may enter the designated special use lane only where signs and markings allow.

broken white lines

separate lanes of traffic going in the same direction. You may change lanes with caution.

red reflectors

show areas not to be entered or used. They are positioned on the road surface so that only traffic flowing in the wrong direction would observe them.

blue markings

show parking spaces for persons with disabilities.

solid white lines

show turn lanes and discourage lane changes near intersections, and at other locations where lane changes might be dangerous. Solid white lines also mark the right edge of pavement. Arrows used with white lines indicate which turn may be made from the lane. Stop lines, crosswalks and parking spaces also are marked by white lines.

what if a HOV lane is separated by a barrier?

they are reversible: during certain times of the day, traffic flows one way, but during other times of the day, traffic flows in the opposite direction.

yellow center lines

two-way traffic, flowing in opposite directions.