Knowledge Base

Quick Learning: White on Your Right, Yellow on Your Left

• White dashed lines separate traffic traveling in the same direction.
• White solid lines mark the right edge of freeways and ramps.
• Yellow lines generally separate traffic traveling in opposite directions.
• Yellow lines mark the left edge of divided highways and ramps.


White solid lines are also used as visual barriers to discourage lane changing in certain critical situations. Good examples are turn lanes at intersections, and lanes where vehicles are entering or leaving a freeway.

You should also make sure you understand the meaning of double solid yellow center lines and a single dashed yellow center line, and any combination of the two.

Double solid yellow center lines mean that no passing is allowed in either direction.

A single dashed yellow center means that you are allowed to pass other vehicles if the road ahead is clear. Vehicles approaching from the opposite direction are also allowed to pass.

If you see a combination of solid and dashed center lines, and the dashed line is in your lane, you are allowed to pass with caution. If the solid line is in your lane, you are not allowed to pass.

Often painted lines are used in combination with raised and reflective pavement markers. Sometimes only raised and reflective pavement markers are used. They all carry the same basic message for drivers as painted lines.