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Virginia permit test: pavement markings

Yellow and white lines, arrows, crosswalks and stop lines, and HOV markings. 11 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.

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Rules to remember7 key pavement markings rulesShow the rules
  1. Yellow center lines mean two-way traffic, with vehicles flowing in opposite directions. (p. 13, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  2. With a broken yellow line next to a solid one, drivers on the broken-line side may pass; drivers on the solid-line side may not. (p. 13, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  3. Broken white lines separate lanes of traffic going in the same direction, and you may change lanes with caution. (p. 13, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  4. Passing is not allowed across double solid yellow lines. (p. 13, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  5. A yield line is a row of triangles across the road that shows where you must yield, or stop if necessary. (p. 14, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  6. You may not cross double solid white lines. (p. 14, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (opens the handbook))
  7. Drivers should not use a bicycle lane except when necessary to turn left or right. (p. 14, Virginia Driver's Manual (No edition date printed in text) (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.What do broken white lines on a road mean?

    • AThey mark a lane you may never leave
    • BThey separate lanes going the same way
    • CThey separate traffic going opposite ways
    • DThey mark the left edge of the road
    Show the answer

    ✓ B. They separate lanes going the same way

    Broken white lines separate lanes of traffic going in the same direction, and you may change lanes with caution.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) (No edition date printed in text), page 13

  2. 2.A center lane has a solid and a broken yellow line on both sides. How far may you travel in it?

    • ANo more than 500 feet
    • BNo more than 50 feet
    • CAs far as you like
    • DNo more than 150 feet
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. No more than 150 feet

    This center lane is for left turns by traffic in either direction, and drivers may not travel more than 150 feet in it.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) (No edition date printed in text), page 14

  3. 3.The center line on your side is solid yellow, next to a broken yellow line on the other side. Can you pass a slow car?

    • ANo, nobody may pass from either side
    • BYes, whenever the road ahead looks clear
    • CNo, passing is allowed only from the broken side
    • DYes, but only if you signal first
    Show the answer

    ✓ C. No, passing is allowed only from the broken side

    With a broken yellow line next to a solid one, drivers on the broken-line side may pass; drivers on the solid-line side may not.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) (No edition date printed in text), page 13

  4. 4.Your lane has a curved arrow and the word ONLY painted on it. What must you do?

    • AGo straight or turn as you like
    • BChange lanes before the intersection
    • CTurn only if there is no traffic
    • DTurn the way the arrow points
    Show the answer

    ✓ D. Turn the way the arrow points

    A lane marked with a curved arrow, alone or with the word ONLY, is a turn lane: you have to turn the way the arrow points.

    Source: Virginia Driver's Manual (DMV 39) (No edition date printed in text), page 14