Driver's License Test Prep
US Road Signs Road Markings

A solid yellow line runs down the middle of a two-way roadway, separating your lane from oncoming traffic. What does it require of you?

Single solid yellow horizontal stripe running across the middle of dark pavement.
  1. A.
    Stay right of the line and do not cross it to pass slower vehicles. Correct
  2. B.
    Pass slower vehicles ahead when the way looks clear.
  3. C.
    Cross the line at will to reach any driveway, alley, or side road.
  4. D.
    Make no left turn across the line at any point.
The Why

The answer is "Stay right of the line and do not cross it to pass slower vehicles."

A solid yellow line down the center of a two-way road separates opposing traffic and closes passing on your side. You keep to the right of it and cross it only to make a permitted left turn into a driveway, alley, or side road, and only when it is safe. The trap is the choice that reads the marking as a broken yellow line and treats a clear road ahead as permission to overtake. A solid stroke has already settled the passing decision against you, regardless of how clear the road looks at the moment.

Why the others miss

The traps in the wrong answers

B. Pass slower vehicles ahead when the way looks clear.

The entry only permits passing where the center marking is broken, not solid. Reads the solid stroke as a broken line and treats overtaking as available whenever the road ahead looks empty.

C. Cross the line at will to reach any driveway, alley, or side road.

Crossing is allowed only for a permitted left turn into a driveway, alley, or side road, and only when it is safe. Reads it as the everyday right to reach a driveway, when the marking opens only for one specific permitted left turn.

D. Make no left turn across the line at any point.

A single solid yellow line still permits a driver to cross for a lawful left turn into a driveway, alley, or side road, and only when it is safe. Reads the no-passing rule as a blanket ban on crossing the line, so a permitted left turn onto a side road reads as prohibited too.

The Rule

This question tests your knowledge of Road Markings on the roads of every US state . Source: Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices, marking 3B.01 (Solid Yellow Center Line)..

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