Driver Guide

26
CHAPTER 3 — PAVEMENT MARKINGS, TRAFFIC 
SIGNS, LIGHTS, AND SIGNALS
NO PASSING ZONE
NO PASSING ZONE
NO PASSING ZONES
Two-lane roads may have “no passing zones” marked with a SOLID 
YELLOW LINE.  No passing zones are on hills or curves where you cannot 
see far enough ahead to pass safely.  You must complete passing before 
you enter the no passing zone.
PAVEMENT MARKINGS ON THE ROAD
Lines and symbols on the roadway indicate a number of things to drivers:  
where lanes are divided, where you may pass other vehicles, or change 
lanes, which lanes to use for turns, where pedestrian walkways are located, 
and where you must stop for signs and traffic signals.
MEANINGS OF PAVEMENT MARKINGS
LINES  — BROKEN LINES may be crossed in a passing maneuver.
 
— SOLID LINES should not be crossed in a passing maneuver.
COLORS  — YELLOW divides oncoming traffic.
 
— WHITE divides same-direction traffic.
DIRECTION OF TRAFFIC
If the line on the left of you is YELLOW, the traffic on the other side of the 
line is moving in the OPPOSITE direction.
When the line on the left of you is WHITE, the traffic is moving in the SAME 
direction.  A solid white line marks the right edge of many roads.
The center marking for roads with four lanes consists of TWO SOLID 
YELLOW LINES.  The yellow lines tell you the traffic on the other side of 
the lines is moving in the opposite direction.  You should never cross the 
two solid yellow lines to pass.

---

CROSSWALKS AND STOP LINES 
When required to stop because of a sign or signal, you must stop before 
your vehicle reaches the stop line or, if there is one, the crosswalk. 
Crosswalks define the area where pedestrians are to cross the roadway. 
You must yield to pedestrians in or about to enter a crosswalk. Not 
all crosswalks are marked.  Be alert for pedestrians when crossing 
intersections that do not have defined crosswalks.
DUAL USE LANES
Dual use lanes have both a turn arrow and a straight arrow.  When both 
arrows appear on the electric traffic signal, you may either turn or go 
straight.  But if you want to turn, and only the straight arrow is showing, you 
must wait for the turn arrow.
27
When you see a solid yellow line on your side of the center line, do not try 
to pass.  On any two-lane road, never pass if you cannot see the road is 
clear for the distance you need to make a pass, even if there is no marking 
on the roadway.
LEFT-TURN LANES
Some roads have marked left-turn lanes.  Notice the solid yellow lines and 
the thick yellow stripes in the illustration below.

---

28
REVERSIBLE EXPRESS LANES
Some travel lanes are designed to carry traffic in one direction at certain 
times and in the opposite direction at other times.  These lanes are usually 
marked by double-dashed yellow lines.  Before you start driving in them, 
check to see which lanes you can use at that time. There may be signs 
posted by the side of the road or overhead.  Sometimes special lights are 
used.  A green arrow means you can use the lane beneath it; a red “X” 
means you may not.
SHARED CENTER LANES
Vehicles moving in both directions may use these center lanes for making 
left turns (or U-turns when they are permitted).  On the pavement, left-turn 
arrows for traffic in one direction alternate with left-turn arrows for traffic 
coming from the other direction.  These lanes are marked on each side by 
a solid yellow and dashed yellow lines.  Turn from this lane as soon as your 
path is clear.
NO LANE MARKINGS
When there are no signs or markings to control the use of lanes, there are 
rules that indicate which lane is to be used.  These rules cover general 
driving, passing, and turning.
General Driving — In general, never back a vehicle in any travel lane. 
Drivers do not expect a vehicle to be backing towards them and may not 
realize it until it is too late.  If you miss your turn or exit, do not back up.  
Go on to where you can safely turn around.  Do not stop in travel lanes 
for any reason (confusion, breakdown, or letting out a passenger).  Keep 
moving until you can safely pull off the road.
On a road with three or more lanes traveling in the same direction, stay in 
the right lane except to pass.  If there is a considerable amount of traffic 
entering the right travel lane, then use the center travel lane.
Passing — On multi-lane roads, the left-most lane is intended to be used 
to pass slower vehicles.  If you pass on the right, the other driver may 
have difficulty seeing you and might suddenly change lanes in front of you.  
Never pass on the shoulder.  Other drivers will not expect you to be there 
and may pull off the road without looking.
TRAFFIC OFFICERS
You must obey traffic officers at all times.  If you see a traffic officer giving 
directions, do what he or she says and ignore any traffic signs or signals.  
For example, if the officer signals for you to stop at a green light, you must 
stop.
TRAFFIC SIGNALS
Traffic signals are lights that tell you when or where to stop and go.  

---

FLASHING SIGNAL - ALL DIRECTIONS
Flashing traffic signals may occur during emergencies, night 
time/low traffic volume periods and special events.  Flashing 
traffic signals have the following meanings:
•   A flashing red light means the same thing as a stop sign.
•   A flashing yellow light tells you to slow down and proceed  
with caution. 
TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGNALS
Traffic controls include traffic signals, traffic signs and pavement markings.  
Traffic control also can be provided by law enforcement, highway personnel 
or school crossing guards.  You must obey directions from these persons.
A RED LIGHT tells you to stop at the stop line, crosswalk or before 
the intersection.  Unless you are making a right turn, you must 
wait for the signal to turn green before you proceed.  After making 
a complete stop, you may turn right on a red light if the way is clear of 
pedestrians and traffic.  However, you must not turn right on a red light 
when there is a “NO RIGHT TURN ON RED” sign posted.
A STEADY YELLOW LIGHT tells you the traffic signal is changing 
from green to red.  Stop for a steady yellow light unless you are 
within the intersection or are so close that you cannot safely stop 
before entering the intersection.
A GREEN LIGHT tells you that you can go through the intersection.  
However, you must first yield the right-of-way to traffic and 
pedestrians who are still in the intersection.
Left Turn Signals:  When turning left at a green light, there 
are three types of left-turn signal phases:
1.   Permissive — Vehicles are given a circular green or a 
flashing yellow arrow and required to wait for an adequate 
gap in the opposing traffic prior to making their turn.
2.   Protected  — Vehicles may turn only when they receive 
a green arrow while opposing vehicles are stopped by a 
red light. This type of control is commonly signed “left turn 
signal.”
3.  
Protected/Permissive — Vehicles are given a protected 
phase (green arrow), or a permissive (circular green or 
flashing yellow arrow) phase, when drivers must choose 
an adequate gap in opposing traffic.  This type of control, 
when used with a circular green, is commonly signed “left 
turn yield on green”.
A STEADY YELLOW ARROW appears after a green arrow.  It tells 
you the green arrow will be changing to a circular green light, a 
flashing yellow arrow or a red light.  You must be ready to yield the 
right-of-way to oncoming traffic or to stop.
29

---