North Carolina permit test: pavement markings
Yellow and white lines, broken and solid center lines, and what each lets you do. 9 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember8 key pavement markings rulesShow the rules
- Single solid white lines mark the right edge of the road. (p. 90, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- Red pavement markers indicate wrong-way movement. (p. 90, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- In some areas, blue reflective pavement markers show where nearby fire hydrants or water supplies are for fire-fighting crews. (p. 90, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- The two-way left-turn lane is only for left turns in both directions. (p. 90, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- Yellow lines separate lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions. (p. 90, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- When an officer is directing traffic, obey the officer's hand signals instead of the traffic lights or signs. (p. 90, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- On divided highways the white edge line should be on your right and the yellow edge line on your left. (p. 90, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
- When continuous double solid yellow lines are the center lines, you may not cross them to pass in either direction. (p. 90, North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025) (opens the handbook))
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample pavement markings questions
1.You are on a two-lane road. The center line is a broken yellow line on your side. What may you do?
- AUse the line as a turn lane
- BPass only on the right
- CNever pass
- DPass with care when it is safe
Show the answer
✓ D. Pass with care when it is safe
On a two-lane road, passing with care is allowed when the broken (skipped) yellow line is on your side.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 90
2.What can blue reflective markers in the road show in some areas?
- AA warning that you are going the wrong way
- BWhere nearby fire hydrants are located
- CWhere a bike lane begins on the road
- DThe start of a no-passing zone ahead
Show the answer
✓ B. Where nearby fire hydrants are located
In some areas, blue reflective pavement markers show where nearby fire hydrants or water supplies are for fire-fighting crews.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 90
3.You see red reflective markers glowing in the pavement ahead of you. What do they mean?
- AA lane is about to merge
- BYou are going the wrong way
- CSlow down for a school
- DA fire hydrant is nearby
Show the answer
✓ B. You are going the wrong way
Red pavement markers indicate wrong-way movement. White and yellow markers help you see lines at night, and blue markers can show nearby fire hydrants.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 90
4.You are on a multi-lane road with a center two-way left-turn lane. A slow truck is ahead. May you use the center lane to pass it?
- AYes, as long as the center lane is clear
- BYes, but only at night when it is quiet
- COnly for a short distance to get by
- DNo, that lane may not be used for passing
Show the answer
✓ D. No, that lane may not be used for passing
The two-way left-turn lane is only for left turns in both directions. It may not be used to pass other vehicles or to merge into traffic.
Source: North Carolina Driver Handbook (Revised May 2025), page 90