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Tennessee permit test: pavement markings

Yellow and white lane lines, no-passing markings, HOV markings, stop lines and railroad crossing markings. 10 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

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Rules to remember9 key pavement markings rulesShow the rules
  1. Two solid yellow lines mean you may not cross from either direction, even if no oncoming traffic is in view. (p. 56, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  2. Yellow belongs on your left and white on your right. (p. 56, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  3. Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. (p. 56, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  4. A solid white line marks the right edge of the traffic lane. (p. 56, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  5. If no stop line is painted, stop before the first line of a marked crosswalk. (p. 57, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  6. If the broken yellow line is on your side, you are in a passing zone and may pass when safe, returning before the zone ends. (p. 57, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  7. A diamond marking shows a High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane, reserved at busy times for buses, vanpools, carpools and motorcycles. (p. 57, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  8. A curved arrow with ONLY means you must turn that way. (p. 57, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))
  9. A single solid white line between lanes means stay in your lane and don't cross it to pass, unless an emergency requires it. (p. 57, Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022) (opens the handbook))

Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.

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Sample pavement markings questions

  1. 1.One solid white line separates your lane from the lane next to you. What should you do?

    • ACross it to make a left turn
    • BStay in your lane unless it's an emergency
    • CUse the next lane as a passing lane
    • DChange lanes freely whenever it's clear
    Show the answer

    ✓ B. Stay in your lane unless it's an emergency

    A single solid white line between lanes means stay in your lane and don't cross it to pass, unless an emergency requires it.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 57

  2. 2.What does a solid white line along the side of the road show?

    • AA bike lane
    • BA no-passing zone
    • CThe right edge of the traffic lane
    • DThe center of a two-way road
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. The right edge of the traffic lane

    A solid white line marks the right edge of the traffic lane. A yellow line marks the left edge of lanes going your direction.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 56

  3. 3.You enter an unfamiliar divided road and see a yellow line on your right and white on your left. What does this tell you?

    • AYou are going the wrong way
    • BYou are in the correct lane
    • CYou are in a bike lane
    • DYou are in a passing zone
    Show the answer

    ✓ A. You are going the wrong way

    Yellow belongs on your left and white on your right. Yellow on your right and white on your left means you are going the wrong way.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 56

  4. 4.Two solid yellow lines run between you and oncoming traffic. No cars are coming. May you cross them to pass?

    • AYes, if no cars are in view
    • BOnly on weekends
    • CYes, if you pass quickly
    • DNo, not from either direction
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. No, not from either direction

    Two solid yellow lines mean you may not cross from either direction, even if no oncoming traffic is in view. You may cross to turn into a driveway or side road if safe.

    Source: Tennessee Comprehensive Driver License Manual (most current information as of July 1, 2022), page 56