Teen Driver’s Guide to Identifying Road Markings
There’s a lot happening while you’re driving: you’re paying attention to what’s in front of you on the road, there are pedestrians crossing the street, you’re trying to watch your speed, and there are other vehicles driving around you. With all of this activity, it’s easy to miss road markings and properly obey them, especially as a new driver. So how can you prepare your teenage driver to identify and follow road markings? Here’s what they need to know:
- Yellow Lines: Yellow center lines separate lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions.
- White Lines: White lane lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction.
- Double Solid Yellow Lines: Solid double yellow lines are used where traffic is moving in opposite directions. Two solid lines mark that passing is not allowed on either side. Solid yellow lines may be crossed only to make a left turn to or from an alley, private road, driveway or street.
- Solid Yellow with a Broken Yellow: The line nearest your lane is the line that governs whether you are allowed to pass.
- Arrow on the Roadway: Arrows on the roadway designate lanes to be used for turning in the direction of the arrow only. Once in a turning lane, you are not allowed to cross the solid white lane to change lanes, you must complete the turn in the direction of the arrow.
What do you need to keep in mind when identifying road markings? Paved road markings are meant to direct and warn drivers, similar to road signs and signals. Once you understand what each road marking means, you will begin to practice that action and it will become a part of your regular driving behavior. Remember what each of the colors mean and what actions you’re allowed to take in those zones.
At first, road markings may seem like just another regulation that you need to worry about, but they serve a purpose and can save your life. Know the basics of road markings and be sure to prepare your teen driver so that they can avoid getting a traffic violation and help them interact with others in an appropriate and safe manner, both on and around the roadway.
Frequently asked questions
What do yellow lines on the road mean?
Yellow center lines separate lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions. Whenever you see yellow, traffic on the other side of that line is coming toward you. A single broken yellow line means passing is allowed when safe. Double solid yellow lines mean passing is prohibited on either side, you may only cross them to make a left turn into an alley, driveway, private road, or street. Knowing the color is the first step to knowing what's legal.
What's the difference between white and yellow lines?
White lane lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction as you. Yellow lines separate lanes moving in opposite directions. So if you're on a four-lane road with two lanes in each direction, the lanes going your way are divided by white lines and the center line dividing the two directions is yellow. Crossing a white line is a normal lane change; crossing a yellow line means entering oncoming traffic territory.
When can I pass on a road with a solid yellow and a broken yellow line side by side?
The line nearest your lane is the one that governs your action. If the broken yellow line is on your side, passing is permitted when safe. If the solid yellow line is on your side, passing is prohibited; oncoming drivers on the broken-yellow side are allowed to pass into your lane when clear, but you have to stay put. This combination shows up on hills, curves, and other sections where sight distance is limited in one direction but not the other.
What do arrows painted on the roadway mean?
An arrow painted in a lane means that lane is reserved for travel in the direction the arrow points. If you're in a lane with a left-turn arrow, you must turn left, you cannot continue straight or change lanes once you're committed. The same applies to right-turn and straight-only arrows. Once you've entered a turning lane, you also can't cross the solid white lane line to change lanes mid-intersection. Pick your lane before you reach the intersection, not during.
Why do road markings matter as much as road signs?
Road markings give drivers real-time direction and warning at exactly the spot you need it, where signs aren't always practical to post. They tell you which way to go, who can pass, where to stop, and where lanes shift. New drivers sometimes treat markings as background noise, but they carry the same legal weight as signs. Get fluent in the colors and shapes early so reading them becomes automatic, which protects you from traffic violations and crashes alike.
