Yellow pavement markings — Colorado Permit Test

Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions.

The color tells you what is on the other side of the line before you can see it. Cross a yellow line and you are in the path of oncoming traffic.

Yellow lines: Separate traffic moving in opposite directions

Where the yellow line is broken, passing is permitted.

A broken line means the view ahead is long enough for the maneuver. It is permission, not an instruction, and the judgment is still yours.

Broken yellow line: Passing is permitted

Solid yellow lines mean no passing is permitted, unless you are passing a bicyclist with a minimum of three feet of space when the oncoming travel lane is clear.

The line is solid because you cannot see far enough to pass a car. A bicycle takes a fraction of the distance, so Colorado carves out that one case.

Solid yellow lines: No passing is permitted, unless to pass a bicyclist with a minimum of three feet of space when the oncoming travel lane is clear.

Where there are double solid yellow lines, neither side can pass, except to pass a bicyclist with a minimum of three feet of space when the oncoming lane is clear.

Two solid lines mean neither direction has the view for it. The bicycle exception is the same one, and it still needs a clear lane opposite.

Double solid yellow lines: Neither side can pass, unless to pass a bicyclist with a minimum of three feet of space when the oncoming travel lane is clear

Where yellow lines are solid on one side and broken on the other, you may not pass if the solid line is on your side.

The line tells each direction separately whether the view is long enough. Yours is the one nearest your lane.

You may not pass if the solid yellow line is on your side

Where the broken yellow line is on your side you may pass if it is safe, and you must return to your lane before the broken lines turn solid.

The broken section is exactly as long as the view is good. Running past its end puts you in the oncoming lane on a blind stretch.

You must return to your lane before the broken lines turn solid

You may cross a solid yellow line to make a left turn into an alley, private road or driveway.

Without the exception nobody could ever turn into their own driveway. The turn is short and leaves the oncoming lane quickly.

You may cross a solid yellow line for a left turn into an alley, private road or driveway or to pass a bicyclist with a minimum of three feet of space when such movement can be made safely

What do yellow lines on the road separate?

Traffic moving in opposite directions. The color tells you what is on the other side of the line before you can see it. Cross a yellow line and you are in the path of oncoming traffic. Colorado Driver Handbook, p.9: “Yellow lines: Separate traffic moving in opposite directions”