Road markings — Washington Permit Test

Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions, and white lines separate lanes moving the same way.

The color tells you whether the traffic beside you is coming at you or going with you.

Yellow lines separate traffic in opposite directions. White lines separate traffic lanes moving in the same direction.

A dashed yellow line shows the center of a two-way, two-lane road, and a driver may use the oncoming lane to pass when it is safe.

The dashes are the state saying you can see far enough here to judge it for yourself.

A dashed yellow line shows the center of a two-way, two-lane road. If it’s safe, you may use the oncoming lane to pass another vehicle.

Double solid yellow centerlines mean passing is not allowed in either direction.

Two solid lines is the state saying neither side of this road has the view to pass.

Double solid yellow centerlines show the middle of a two-way road. You are not allowed to pass, in either direction, on roads with double yellow lines.

Where a solid yellow line runs beside a dashed one, a driver may pass only when the dashed line is on their side of the road.

The line nearest you is the one written for you, and the other side has its own answer.

You’re not allowed to pass when the solid yellow line is on your side of the road. If the dashed line is on your side of the road, you may pass if it’s safe to do so.

Double solid white lines are a barrier between lanes, and it is illegal to cross them.

They are painted where a lane change would cut across traffic that is doing something different.

Double solid white lines are a barrier between lanes. It’s illegal to cross double white lines.

It is illegal to drive within, over, or across a median, which can be an open space, a cement divider, or 18-inch solid yellow pavement markings with stripes.

A painted median is still a median, even though nothing physically stops you crossing it.

It’s illegal to drive within, over, or across medians.

A shared center lane is for left turns from either direction, must not be used for passing, and should not be traveled in for more than 300 feet.

Cars come into it from both ends, so it works only as a short staging area rather than a lane to drive along.

You shouldn’t travel farther than 300 feet in a center lane.

A driver must stop before the vehicle reaches the stop line or the crosswalk, where there is one.

The line is drawn where the crossing traffic can see you. Stopping anywhere else buys nothing.

You must stop before your vehicle reaches the stop line or crosswalk (if there is one).

Fire lanes are marked with red stripes or a red curb, and parking or stopping in one is not allowed.

A fire lane is kept clear so an aid vehicle can reach a building on the worst day it has.

Fire lanes are usually marked with red stripes or a red curb. Don’t park or stop in fire lanes.

What do yellow lines on a roadway separate?

Traffic moving in opposite directions. The color tells you whether the traffic beside you is coming at you or going with you. Washington State Driver Guide, p.131: “Yellow lines separate traffic in opposite directions. White lines separate traffic lanes moving in the same direction.”