Lesson 1 of 33 · Texas DPS Written 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 17 quiz questions from this lesson for the Texas DPS Written 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
  4. The edge of the roadway.

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.
  4. Separate same-direction 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

Under what circumstances are you permitted to cross a broken line?
  1. When it is safe to do so and not prohibited by signs. ✓ Correct
  2. Only if you are passing another vehicle.
  3. Only when the line is white.
  4. Only if the line is on your right side.

Correct answer: A. When it is safe to do so and not prohibited by signs.

A broken line indicates that crossing is generally permitted, provided that the maneuver can be done safely and there are no regulatory signs (such as "No Turn" or "Right Turn Only" signs) that forbid the action.

4

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

Correct answer: D. 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.

5

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.
  4. If the vehicle has a tire blowout.

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.

6

To make a left turn, you may cross:
  1. Two sets of double yellow lines, if no traffic is coming.
  2. A single set of double yellow lines, but not two sets. ✓ Correct
  3. Neither a single set nor two sets.
  4. Both a single set and two sets.

Correct answer: B. A single set of double yellow lines, but not two sets.

A single set of double solid yellow lines prohibits passing, but you may cross it to make a left turn. Two sets of double solid yellow lines are a barrier and may not be crossed for a left turn, except at a specified opening.

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. To turn onto a private road.
  3. Only when no traffic is coming.
  4. To cross them to pull into a driveway.

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

That is exactly right. Two sets of solid double yellow lines spaced apart function like a physical barrier and may only be crossed at designated openings specifically provided for turning movements. Any crossing outside these openings is prohibited.

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.
  4. The edge of the roadway.

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

White lines indicate traffic 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.
  4. Crossing to change lanes is permitted when safe.

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

This sign means:
Illustration for: This sign means:
  1. The left lane ends ahead — merge right.
  2. Pass other vehicles only on the right.
  3. You must turn right at the next intersection.
  4. Keep to the right of a median or obstruction. ✓ Correct

Correct answer: D. Keep to the right of a median or obstruction.

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

11

What does this sign warn about?
Illustration for: What does this sign warn about?
  1. Keep right to avoid oncoming traffic.
  2. A median is ahead. ✓ Correct
  3. The divided highway is ending.
  4. The road ahead becomes one-way.

Correct answer: B. A median is ahead.

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

12

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 road narrows ahead.
  4. Opposing traffic will no longer be separated. ✓ Correct

Correct answer: D. 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 median.

13

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.

14

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.
  4. Passing is permitted from both directions.

Correct answer: A. Passing is not prohibited.

The solid-and-broken line pattern is used to prohibit passing in one direction and allow it in the other, because drivers on the permitted side have enough visibility to pass safely. The purpose of the broken line is to permit passing from that side. So, passing from the broken-line side is allowed if it is safe to do so.

15

When the lanes on a two-lane road are separated by double solid yellow lines, what does it mean?
  1. You may pass the vehicle ahead on the left.
  2. Passing is prohibited in both directions. ✓ Correct
  3. You may pass the vehicle ahead on the right.
  4. Passing is prohibited only when oncoming traffic is present.

Correct answer: B. Passing is 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.

16

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.
  4. When passing to the right on a one-way street.

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.

17

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 turn into a driveway
  4. 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 (such as near intersections, tunnels, or highway interchanges). 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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