Driver's License Test Prep
California Practice Road Markings

What does a single solid yellow line down the center of the road mean?

Single solid yellow horizontal stripe running across the middle of dark pavement.
  1. A.
    It marks the edge of a one-way street where traffic flows the same direction.
  2. B.
    It divides two lanes flowing the same direction on a divided highway.
  3. C.
    It marks the center of a road with two-way traffic. Correct
The Why

The answer is "It marks the center of a road with two-way traffic."

A single solid yellow line marks the center of a road with two directions of travel. Drivers who pick 'edge of a one-way street' are recalling the white-line rule and mixing up which color separates same-direction traffic from opposing traffic.

Why the others miss

The traps in the wrong answers

A. It marks the edge of a one-way street where traffic flows the same direction.

Single solid white marks same-direction lanes; yellow always signals opposing traffic. This answer substitutes the white-line role for the yellow one after misreading which color goes with same-direction travel.

B. It divides two lanes flowing the same direction on a divided highway.

Same-direction lanes on a divided highway are separated by white markings, not yellow. This answer extends the divided-highway lane picture to yellow paint without noticing the color mismatch.

The Rule

This question tests your knowledge of Road Markings in California. Source: California Driver Manual, "Single Solid Yellow Line," p.13..

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