Lesson 1 of 34 · California DMV Written Knowledge Test · Free

Let's Decode Road Markings

Spot solid, dashed, and double lines to know when to pass, turn, or stay put.

Let's Decode Road Markings: practice questions and answers

These are the 18 quiz questions from this lesson for the California DMV Written Knowledge Test, with the correct answers and explanations. Try the quiz above first, then open a question to check yourself.

1

What do white lines between lanes indicate?
  1. Traffic moves in opposite directions.
  2. Crossing between lanes is prohibited.
  3. Traffic moves in the same direction. ✓ Correct

Correct answer: C. Traffic moves in the same direction.

White lane markings separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction.

2

Double solid yellow lines in the center of the road:
  1. May not be crossed under any circumstances.
  2. May not be crossed to pass. ✓ Correct
  3. May be crossed to pass if no oncoming traffic.

Correct answer: B. May not be crossed to pass.

Double solid yellow lines are not to be crossed for passing, because they are used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions and to reduce the risk of head-on collisions.

3

Double solid yellow lines may be crossed:
  1. Under no circumstances.
  2. Only for a left turn or U-turn. ✓ Correct
  3. Only for a right turn.

Correct answer: B. Only for a left turn or U-turn.

You may cross these lines to enter/exit a driveway, a private road, or to make a legal U-turn. These lines primarily prohibit crossing into opposing traffic to pass other vehicles.

4

A single broken yellow center line indicates:
  1. Opposite-direction traffic, passing permitted when safe. ✓ Correct
  2. Same-direction traffic, passing prohibited.
  3. Opposite-direction traffic, passing never permitted.

Correct answer: A. Opposite-direction traffic, passing permitted when safe.

Passing is not prohibited when the line is broken. Color does not matter.

5

Drivers may pass when there is a solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line only if:
  1. Traveling next to the broken line. ✓ Correct
  2. Traveling next to the solid line.
  3. Traveling in either direction.

Correct answer: A. Traveling next to the broken line.

You may cross to pass if the broken line is on your side. This marking indicates that visibility is sufficient for passing from your direction while restricting it for oncoming traffic.

6

Crossing two sets of double solid yellow lines to overtake a vehicle may be allowed:
  1. Under no circumstances. ✓ Correct
  2. If the vehicle is travelling at 15mph.
  3. If the vehicle is flashing hazard lights.

Correct answer: A. Under no circumstances.

The law treats these parallel lines as a solid barrier. Passing is strictly forbidden. These markings indicate a permanent physical barrier meant to separate traffic flow. Attempting to pass here is a significant traffic violation and highly dangerous.

7

When are you allowed to cross two sets of solid double yellow lines that are spaced apart?
  1. Only at designated openings where turns are permitted. ✓ Correct
  2. Whenever you need to make a U-turn.
  3. Only when no traffic is coming.

Correct answer: A. Only at designated openings where turns are permitted.

Spaced double yellow lines are legally a barrier. Crossing is forbidden except at designated openings. You cannot drive over or on this "island" for any reason.

8

A single broken white center line on a two-lane road indicates:
  1. Same-direction traffic, lane changes discouraged.
  2. Same-direction traffic, passing permitted when safe. ✓ Correct
  3. Opposite-direction traffic, passing permitted when safe.

Correct answer: B. Same-direction traffic, passing permitted when safe.

White lines indicate that traffic is moving in the same direction. Passing is not prohibited when the line is broken.

9

Double solid white lines on the road indicate:
  1. The left lane carries opposite-direction traffic.
  2. Crossing to change lanes is prohibited. ✓ Correct
  3. Crossing is discouraged but allowed if necessary.

Correct answer: B. Crossing to change lanes is prohibited.

Double solid white lines are treated as a barrier. They separate lanes moving in the same direction, and you must not cross them.

10

The road shoulder is for:
  1. Emergency stops or disabled vehicles. ✓ Correct
  2. Driving if moving much slower than traffic.
  3. Passing slower vehicles.

Correct answer: A. Emergency stops or disabled vehicles.

The road shoulder is for emergency stopping or disabled vehicles.

11

This sign means:
Illustration for: This sign means:
  1. The left lane ends ahead — merge right.
  2. Keep to the right of a divider or obstruction. ✓ Correct
  3. Pass other vehicles only on the right.

Correct answer: B. Keep to the right of a divider or obstruction.

This sign instructs drivers to stay to the right of a divider, traffic island, or road obstruction. It is common at the start of divided highways or near bridge supports.

12

What does this sign warn about?
Illustration for: What does this sign warn about?
  1. Keep right to avoid oncoming traffic.
  2. A center divider is ahead. ✓ Correct
  3. The divided highway is ending.

Correct answer: B. A center divider is ahead.

The wedge at the top signifies "Divided Highway Begins." A physical median is starting, separating traffic into two distinct one-way roadways ahead.

13

What does this sign warn about?
Illustration for: What does this sign warn about?
  1. A divider is ahead.
  2. All traffic shifts to the left lane ahead.
  3. The divided highway ends and opposing traffic will no longer be separated. ✓ Correct

Correct answer: C. The divided highway ends and opposing traffic will no longer be separated.

The bottom wedge means the barrier is ending. Prepare for two-way traffic where oncoming vehicles are no longer separated by a divider.

14

You may cross double yellow lines to pass only if:
  1. One of the lines is broken.
  2. The line on your side is solid.
  3. The line on your side is broken. ✓ Correct

Correct answer: C. The line on your side is broken.

You may cross the line to pass only when one of the lines is broken and the broken line is on your side. Even then, you may pass only when it is safe.

15

When the broken line of a double yellow centerline is on your side:
  1. Passing is not prohibited. ✓ Correct
  2. Passing is prohibited.
  3. Only U-turns are allowed there.

Correct answer: A. Passing is not prohibited.

A solid yellow line next to a broken yellow line is used to allow passing in one direction and prohibit it in the other. Drivers on the solid-line side do not have enough visibility distance to pass safely. Since the broken line is on your side, passing is not prohibited.

16

Double solid yellow lines on a two-lane road mean passing is:
  1. Allowed on the left.
  2. Prohibited in both directions. ✓ Correct
  3. Allowed on the right.

Correct answer: B. Prohibited in both directions.

On a two-lane road with one lane in each direction, passing on the left would require entering the oncoming lane, which is prohibited by the double solid yellow lines. Passing on the right would usually mean driving on the shoulder, which is also prohibited.

17

You may not cross a single broken white (or yellow) line:
  1. When to do so would interfere with traffic. ✓ Correct
  2. When turning left into a driveway.
  3. When the car in front is disabled.

Correct answer: A. When to do so would interfere with traffic.

You can cross these lines to pass other vehicles or change lanes only if you can do so safely. If your maneuver forces another driver to brake, swerve, or adjust their speed, you have "interfered with traffic," making the crossing illegal regardless of the line type.

18

You may cross a single solid white line in the highway:
  1. Whenever you want to.
  2. If traffic conditions require. ✓ Correct
  3. Only to make a U-turn.

Correct answer: B. If traffic conditions require.

A single solid white line is used to discourage lane changes in areas where they might be dangerous. However, it is not legally "prohibited" like a double solid line. You may cross it if traffic conditions make it necessary—for example, to avoid a hazard, to exit the highway, or when a lane is merging.

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