Reading the Road

Pavement Markings

Road markings guide and warn drivers as well as regulate traffic. Markings may be either red, blue, yellow or white. They may be used alone or in combinations. Each has a different meaning.

Red markings designate roadways that shall not be entered or used.

Blue markings designate parking spaces for persons with disabilities.

Yellow center lines indicate two-way traffic, flowing in opposite directions.

Broken yellow center lines indicate that passing on the left is permitted in either direction when the way ahead is clear.

A broken yellow line alongside a solid yellow line indicates that passing is permitted on the side of the broken line, but not on the side of the solid line.

Double solid yellow lines mark the center of the road and separate oncoming traffic. Passing is not allowed in either direction. You may not cross the lines unless you are making a left turn.

Yellow lines also mark the left edge of divided highways and one-way roads.

Broken white lines separate lanes of traffic going in the same direction. You may cross with caution.

Many two-lane roads in Virginia do not have lane markings to separate the lanes. You may pass a slow moving vehicle on the left if there are no signs prohibiting passing. Make sure that the way is clear and observe the laws pertaining to passing. Refer to the passing information in this manual.

Solid white lines designate turn lanes and discourage lane changes near intersections and at other locations where lane changes might be dangerous. Solid white lines also mark the right edge of pavement. Arrows used with white lines indicate which turn may be made from the lane. Stop lines, crosswalks and parking spaces also are marked by white lines.

Yield ahead symbol is an outline of a triangle painted in the lane approaching a place where you must yield.

Yield line is a line of triangles extending across the roadway that may be used with a yield sign to show the point at which you must stop, if necessary, to yield to other traffic.

On three-lane roads with traffic moving in both directions, road markings indicate when drivers may use the center lane for making left turns or for passing.

If the center lane is marked by a single broken yellow line on both sides, motorists traveling in either direction may use the lane for passing.

If one side of the center lane is bounded by double solid yellow lines, drivers traveling next to the double yellow lines in either direction may not cross them except to make a left turn.

If both sides of the center lane are marked by a solid yellow line and a broken yellow line, drivers traveling in either direction may use the lane for making left turns. However, they may not travel further than 150 feet in this lane.

If you are in a lane marked with a curved arrow or a curved arrow and the word ONLY, you must turn in the direction of the arrow. If your lane is marked with both a curved and straight arrow, you may either turn or go straight.

High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes are designated on highways by a diamond-shaped marking in the center of the lane. HOV lanes may also be special lanes separated by a barrier. During heavy traffic periods, HOV lanes are reserved for buses, vanpools, carpools, motorcycles, other high occupancy vehicles, and certain alternative fuel vehicles. Road signs indicate the minimum number of passengers a vehicle must carry (excluding motorcycles and alternative fuel vehicles) to use the HOV lanes and the times that HOV restrictions are in effect. If the lanes are separated by a barrier, they are reversible. This means that during certain times of the day, traffic flows one way. During other times of the day, traffic flows in the opposite direction. This diamond-shaped marking may also indicate that the lane is reserved for use as a bike lane or bus lane.

Painted Curbs

A painted curb means that you must follow special rules to park there. Check with the local jurisdiction for specific meanings. Generally, the colors on the curb mean:

Painted Curbs and Special Parking Rules

Curb Color	Special Rule
White	Stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers.
Yellow	Stop only long enough to load or unload. Stay with your car.
Red	Do not stop, stand or park.
Blue	Parking is reserved for persons with disabilities.

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