Montana permit test: pavement markings
Edge and lane lines, crosswalks and stop lines, reversible, reserved and shared center lanes. 15 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key pavement markings rulesShow the rules
- White lines separate lanes going the same direction; yellow lines separate traffic going opposite directions. (p. 44)
- A dashed white line lets you change lanes when safe. (p. 44)
- You must yield to pedestrians in or about to enter a crosswalk, and not all crosswalks are painted. (p. 44)
- Double solid yellow lines between opposing lanes mean no passing in either direction. (p. 44)
- A dashed yellow line between opposing lanes means you may cross it to pass when it is safe. (p. 44)
- Reserved lanes for buses, bicycles or HOVs are marked by signs and often a white diamond beside or painted on the road. (p. 45)
- Reversible lanes carry traffic in different directions at different times and are usually marked with double-dashed yellow lines and overhead signals. (p. 45)
- HOV lanes are for high occupancy vehicles. (p. 45)
- A shared center lane is used by traffic from both directions to make left turns, or U-turns where allowed. (p. 45)
- A flashing yellow X over a reversible lane means the lane may be used only for turning. (p. 45)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample pavement markings questions
1.What symbol often marks a lane reserved for special vehicles such as buses or HOVs?
- AA green arrow
- BA white diamond
- CA red circle with a slash
- DA yellow X
Show the answer
✓ B. A white diamond
Reserved lanes for buses, bicycles or HOVs are marked by signs and often a white diamond beside or painted on the road.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (25-0100M) (Cover: 'Revised April 2024'), page 45
2.The center of the road has a dashed yellow line on your side and a solid yellow line on the far side. What may you do?
- APass only if oncoming drivers flash their lights
- BPass only on the right shoulder
- CNever pass here
- DPass when it is safe
Show the answer
✓ D. Pass when it is safe
When the dashed line is on your side of a solid-and-dashed centerline, you may pass if it is safe. The other side may not.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (25-0100M) (Cover: 'Revised April 2024'), page 44
3.Over a reversible lane you see a steady yellow X. What should you do?
- AStop in the lane and wait
- BMove out of that lane when it is safe
- CKeep using it; it is open to you
- DUse it only to turn left
Show the answer
✓ B. Move out of that lane when it is safe
Over reversible lanes, a green arrow means you may use the lane, a red X means you may not, a flashing yellow X means turns only, and a steady yellow X means move out.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (25-0100M) (Cover: 'Revised April 2024'), page 45
4.What does a dashed white line between two lanes going the same way allow?
- AChanging lanes when it is safe
- BParking along the line
- CNothing; it may never be crossed
- DPassing oncoming traffic
Show the answer
✓ A. Changing lanes when it is safe
A dashed white line between lanes going the same way means you may cross it to change lanes when it is safe.
Source: Montana Driver Manual (25-0100M) (Cover: 'Revised April 2024'), page 44