Minnesota permit test: pavement markings and special lanes
White and yellow lines, turn lanes, center turn lanes, reversible and carpool lanes. 12 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember9 key pavement markings and special lanes rulesShow the rules
- Shorter, thicker white dashes mean the lane is ending, so prepare to merge. (p. 72)
- White dashes mean you can change lanes where the marking is present, when it is safe. (p. 72)
- Double solid white lines mean you must not change lanes. (p. 72)
- Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. (p. 72)
- With mixed lines, you must obey the marking in your own lane of traffic, so a solid line on your side means no passing. (p. 72)
- When an officer is directing traffic, obey the officer's hand signals rather than traffic signals, signs or pavement markings. (p. 74)
- A center left-turn lane is marked by parallel solid and dashed yellow lines, sometimes with white arrows. (p. 74)
- Carpool lanes are restricted to vehicles with two or more occupants and are marked with a diamond or Carpool Only signs. (p. 74)
- White arrows, sometimes with ONLY, mean you must stay in the lane and turn as shown; if you are in the lane, you must turn. (p. 74)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample pavement markings and special lanes questions
1.A police officer is directing traffic where your light is green. The officer signals you to stop. What do you do?
- AGo, because the light is green
- BStop; the officer comes first
- CTurn right to get around
- DHonk and then go slowly
Show the answer
✓ B. Stop; the officer comes first
When an officer is directing traffic, obey the officer's hand signals rather than traffic signals, signs or pavement markings.
2.Who may use a freeway lane marked with a diamond and a Carpool Only sign?
- AAny car
- BVehicles with two or more people
- CTrucks only
- DCars with one driver at night
Show the answer
✓ B. Vehicles with two or more people
Carpool lanes are restricted to vehicles with two or more occupants and are marked with a diamond or Carpool Only signs.
3.The lane line between you and the next lane is broken white dashes. What may you do?
- APass oncoming traffic
- BPark along the line
- CChange lanes when it is safe
- DNever change lanes
Show the answer
✓ C. Change lanes when it is safe
White dashes mean you can change lanes where the marking is present, when it is safe.
4.The center line is solid yellow on your side and dashed yellow on the other side. Which marking do you follow?
- AThe marking on your side
- BNeither, use your judgment
- CEither one
- DThe dashed line
Show the answer
✓ A. The marking on your side
With mixed lines, you must obey the marking in your own lane of traffic, so a solid line on your side means no passing.