Pavement markings, signaling and roundabouts

Key points

1. Signal by hand or turn signal 300 feet before you stop, turn or change lanes.

   Source: Handbook p. 81

   “You must signal 300 feet prior to your intended action.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 81

2. A broken white line may be crossed to change lanes when it is safe.

   Source: Handbook p. 84

   “A broken white line between lanes of traffic means that you may cross it to change lanes if it is safe to do so.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 84

3. Double solid white lines prohibit lane changing, and a single solid white line discourages it.

   Source: Handbook p. 84

   “A solid white line between lanes of traffic means that you are discouraged from changing lanes. Double solid white lines prohibit lane-changing.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 84

4. A broken yellow line between opposing lanes may be crossed to pass when safe.

   Source: Handbook p. 85

   “A broken yellow line between opposing lanes of traffic means that you may cross it to pass if it is safe to do so.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 85

5. With a solid and a broken yellow line, you may not pass if the solid line is on your side.

   Source: Handbook p. 85

   “Where there is both a solid and a broken yellow line between opposing lanes of traffic, you may not pass if the solid yellow line is on your side.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 85

6. Two solid yellow lines mean neither side may pass, but you may cross them to turn into a driveway.

   Source: Handbook p. 85

   “Two solid yellow lines between lanes of traffic means neither side can pass. You may cross a solid yellow line to turn into a driveway, if it is safe to do so.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 85

7. HOV 3 means at least three people must be in the vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 85

   “For example, “HOV 3” means there must be at least three people in the vehicle.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 85

8. Approaching a roundabout, stay right of the splitter island and slow to 10 to 15 mph.

   Source: Handbook p. 86

   “Upon approaching the roundabout, stay to the right of the splitter island and slow down to 10-15 mph .”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 86

9. Once inside a roundabout, do not stop except to avoid a collision; you have the right of way over entering traffic.

   Source: Handbook p. 86

   “Once you’re in the roundabout, do not stop except to avoid a collision; you have the right-of-way over entering traffic.”
   Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 86

10. Obey a police officer's instructions even if they differ from signs, signals or markings.

    Source: Handbook p. 83

    “You must obey the instructions of a police officer even though they may be contrary to laws, signs, signals, and markings”
    Delaware Driver Manual, Handbook p. 83

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Delaware practice test

1. 1. Under Delaware law, how far before a planned stop, turn, or lane change must you signal?

   1. At least 300 feet
   2. At least 200 feet
   3. At least 100 feet
   4. Only during the final 50 feet
   Show answer

   At least 300 feet. The Delaware requirement is at least 300 feet before the intended action. That distance gives traffic behind you time to recognize whether you will stop, turn, or move sideways. The 100-foot option shortens the warning period, and 200 feet still falls below the stated minimum. Waiting until the final 50 feet leaves little time for another driver to react. Count the rule as a fixed distance, not merely a suggestion to signal sometime before moving. At higher speeds, the manual also recommends signaling for a greater distance because the time available to react is shorter.

2. 2. What does a broken yellow line between opposing lanes allow?

   1. Changing into the opposing lane whenever a signal is green
   2. Passing at any time without checking traffic
   3. Crossing only to park on the shoulder
   4. Crossing to pass when it is safe to do so
   Show answer

   Crossing to pass when it is safe to do so. A broken yellow line separates traffic moving in opposite directions and permits a driver to cross it to pass when the maneuver is safe. The marking does not make passing automatic, so the driver must check sight distance, oncoming traffic, and other hazards. Parking on the shoulder is not the purpose of the line, and a green signal does not override lane safety. The cue is broken yellow plus a clear view and a safe gap, not the paint alone.

3. 3. As a driver approaches a Delaware roundabout, the manual advises slowing to approximately:

   1. 30 to 35 mph
   2. 5 to 10 mph
   3. 20 to 25 mph
   4. 10 to 15 mph
   Show answer

   10 to 15 mph. The approach to a roundabout should be slow enough for the driver to read the entry, observe pedestrians and bicyclists, and yield to vehicles already circulating. Delaware gives an approximate approach speed of 10 to 15 mph. The lower range is not the manual's figure, while the two higher ranges reduce the time available to respond to traffic at the entry. Stay to the right of the splitter island as you approach, then enter only after yielding. The speed range is an approach cue, not a target for racing through the circle.

Source: the Delaware Driver Manual, Section Four: Rules of the Road. 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.