Tags show the kind of rule and whether it’s a written-test point or matters on the drive test (our tagging). Each rule links to its official source.
A lone solid yellow line is the center line of a two-way road; with only one lane your way and that line on your side, don’t pass.
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
Don’t cross double solid yellow lines, except to turn left into or out of a driveway or private road, make a U-turn, use a left-side HOV entrance, or follow detour signs.
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
Two sets of double yellow lines spaced 2 feet or more apart count as a barrier: never drive over them or turn or U-turn across them except at marked openings.
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
A broken yellow line next to your lane means you may pass, but only when it’s safe.
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
White lines separate lanes moving the same direction: a single solid white line (also used on one-way streets) or broken white lines on multilane roads.
New York differs: Single solid line: cross it to pass or change lanes only if you need to, because something is blocking the road or traffic conditions call for it. New York rule
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
Double solid white lines separate regular lanes from special lanes such as carpool lanes and often appear near ramps; never cross them, and wait for a broken white line.
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
A yield line is a row of solid white triangles pointing toward you that shows where to yield or stop.
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
Lanes are numbered from the left: the far-left ‘fast’ lane is the Number 1 Lane, the next one is Number 2, and so on.
Safety advice Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
To change lanes: signal, check mirrors and traffic around you, look over your shoulder into the blind spot, and confirm there’s room. You don’t need to slow down first.
Safety advice Written test · Drive test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
Don’t weave or make last-second changes. Once you start through an intersection or into a turn, finish it; if you miss your turn, continue and come back legally.
Safety advice Written test · Drive test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
Carpool (HOV) lanes, marked with a diamond and ‘Carpool Lane,’ are for vehicles with the posted minimum riders, decal-carrying clean-air vehicles, and motorcycles; enter only at marked openings.
Changed 2025-10-01: Since 2025-10-01, clean-air-vehicle decals no longer let a solo driver use carpool lanes: follow the posted rider count like any car. The handbook hasn’t caught up yet. DMV news release, Sep 9, 2025: Clean Air Vehicle decal program ends
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
A center left-turn lane, with solid outer and broken inner lines, is only for starting left turns or U-turns, never for passing, and you may drive in it no more than 200 feet.
Law Written test · Drive test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
A slow driver on a two-lane road with five or more vehicles stuck behind, and no safe place to pass, must pull into a turnout.
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
You may drive in a bike lane only to park where permitted, to enter or leave the road, or to turn within 200 feet of an intersection.
New York differs: Bike lanes, two-way cycle tracks, green-painted bike lanes and bike boxes (marked waiting areas ahead of the stop line) are for cyclists; drivers may not drive in them. New York rule
Law Written test · Drive test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
Large broken lines usually mark a freeway or street lane that is ending. In such a lane, be ready to exit or for the lane to end, and watch for a sign telling you to exit or merge.
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads
If you tow a vehicle or trailer, or drive a truck that has three or more axles, keep to the far-right lane or to a lane signed for slower traffic. If no lane is marked and your direction has four or more lanes, only the two right-hand lanes are allowed.
Law Written test California Driver Handbook: Laws and Rules of the Road (cont.)
For passing or turning left, use the left lane; on a multilane road the far-left lane, beside the center divider, is the passing lane. For entering or leaving traffic, or pulling onto the road from the curb or shoulder, use the right lane.
Safety advice Written test California Driver Handbook: Navigating the Roads