Massachusetts permit test: pavement markings
What white and yellow lines, bike and bus lanes, stop lines, crosswalks and islands mean. 7 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Sample pavement markings questions
1. What does a broken white line between two lanes tell you?
- A. Traffic moves the same way; you may cross it to change lanes after signaling when safe
- B. Traffic moves in opposite directions; you may cross it only to pass
- C. It marks a bicycle lane that cars may not enter
- D. Traffic moves the same way; you may never cross it
Show the answer
A. Traffic moves the same way; you may cross it to change lanes after signaling when safe
Broken white lines separate lanes of traffic going the same direction. You may cross one to change lanes once you have signaled and it is safe.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 97
2. Traffic is backed up, and a painted channelizing island beside you would let you skip ahead to your turn. What does the law say?
- A. You may park on it briefly to wait for traffic to clear
- B. You may not drive on it unless a police officer directs you to
- C. You may drive on it if traffic is stopped
- D. You may drive on it if you signal first
Show the answer
B. You may not drive on it unless a police officer directs you to
You cannot drive over or park on any channelizing island unless a police officer directs you to do so.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 100
3. You want to pass a slow truck. The center lines are a solid yellow line on your side and a broken yellow line beside it. What should you do?
- A. Do not pass, because the solid line is closer to you
- B. Pass, because a broken yellow line is present
- C. Pass after flashing your headlights at the truck
- D. Pass only if the truck is going under the speed limit
Show the answer
A. Do not pass, because the solid line is closer to you
When one solid and one broken yellow line separate opposite lanes, you may not cross if the solid line is closer to you. You may pass only when the broken line is on your side and it is safe.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 98
4. In Massachusetts, what does red pavement on a travel lane indicate?
- A. A lane for high-occupancy vehicles only
- B. A fire lane where stopping is never allowed
- C. A lane or stop for buses and other public transit
- D. An area where bicycles and cars may conflict
Show the answer
C. A lane or stop for buses and other public transit
Red pavement marks travel lanes or station stops used by public transit, such as buses, streetcars, trolleys, and light rail.
Source: Massachusetts Driver's Manual (Revised April 2026), page 99