Pavement Markings and Special Lanes

Key points

1. Dashed white lines between same direction lanes mean you may cross to change lanes if safe.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “Dashed White Lines are between lanes of traffic moving in the same direction that indicate you may cross to change lanes if it is safe to do so.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 43

2. Dashed yellow center lines separate opposite traffic, and passing is allowed.

   Source: Handbook p. 43

   “Dashed Yellow Lines separate single lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions. Passing is allowed.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 43

3. With a dashed yellow line beside a solid one, only the side with the dashed line may pass.

   Source: Handbook p. 44

   “Dashed Yellow Line Alongside a Solid Yellow Line indicates that passing is permitted on the side of the broken line, but not on the side of the solid line.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 44

4. Solid double yellow lines may be crossed only to turn left to or from an alley, private road, driveway or street.

   Source: Handbook p. 44

   “Solid yellow lines may be crossed to make a left turn to or from an alley, private road, driveway, or street.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 44

5. A shared center lane is for left turns, and permitted U turns, from both directions.

   Source: Handbook p. 44

   “These center lanes are reserved for making left turns (or U-turns when they are permitted), but can be used by vehicles traveling in both directions.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 44

6. Over a reversible lane, a green arrow means use it and a red X means do not.

   Source: Handbook p. 44

   “A green arrow means you can use the lane beneath it; a red “X” means you cannot.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 44

7. A double solid white line prohibits lane changing.

   Source: Handbook p. 44

   “A double solid white line prohibits lane changing.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 44

8. When a sign or signal requires a stop, stop before your vehicle reaches the stop line.

   Source: Handbook p. 44

   “When required to stop because of a sign or signal, you must stop before your vehicle reaches the stop line.”
   Connecticut Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 44

3 questions from the Connecticut practice test

1. 1. What does a dashed yellow center line mean?

   1. Traffic travels in the same direction only
   2. Passing is forbidden in both directions
   3. Passing is allowed when safe
   4. The lane is reserved for buses
   Show answer

   Passing is allowed when safe. Dashed yellow lines separate single lanes moving in opposite directions and indicate that passing is allowed. That permission is not automatic: the driver still must check sight distance, oncoming traffic, and other road conditions before crossing the line. A solid yellow marking can restrict passing, while lane lines for traffic moving in the same direction are white. The bus-lane choice concerns a reserved lane, not a center line. The cue is yellow for opposing flows and dashed for a possible passing movement when safe.

2. 2. A broken yellow line is beside a solid yellow line. Which side may pass?

   1. Traffic beside the solid line, whenever no vehicle is visible
   2. Traffic beside the broken line, when the maneuver is safe
   3. Neither side, because any yellow line prohibits passing
   4. Both sides, if drivers activate their turn signals
   Show answer

   Traffic beside the broken line, when the maneuver is safe. The paired marking assigns different rules to the two sides. Passing is permitted on the side of the broken yellow line, while it is not permitted on the side of the solid yellow line. A clear view or a turn signal does not cancel the solid-line restriction. The claim that every yellow line prohibits passing ignores the broken-line permission. Before moving left, identify which line is nearest your vehicle and confirm that the maneuver is safe.

3. 3. What is the purpose of a shared center lane marked with opposing left-turn arrows?

   1. Long-term parking during busy periods
   2. Passing through the intersection without stopping
   3. Left turns, and permitted U-turns, for traffic moving in either direction
   4. A lane reserved only for vehicles traveling straight
   Show answer

   Left turns, and permitted U-turns, for traffic moving in either direction. A shared center lane is a two-way turning area, not a regular travel lane. It is reserved for left turns and for U-turns where those turns are permitted, and its arrows alternate because drivers from both directions may use it. Driving straight through the lane or using it to pass defeats its purpose and creates a head-on conflict with an opposing turning vehicle. Enter only when the maneuver is safe, and watch the yellow lines and arrows as a cue that the space is for turning rather than cruising.

Source: the Connecticut Driver's Manual, Know the Road: Pavement Markings. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.