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

   “signal by hand or turn-signals when they intend to stop, turn, or change lanes. The Driving Skills and Safety Tips Section further explains the importance of communicating and signaling. 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. The manual also suggests signaling at least three seconds ahead, but waiting until you pass any driveway or side street before your turn so no one is misled.

2. 2. You are driving in a reversible lane when the light above it changes to a steady yellow X. What should you do?

   1. Keep using the lane until the X turns red
   2. Stop in the lane and wait for a green arrow
   3. Speed up to clear the lane before it closes
   4. Move out of the lane as soon as it is safe
   Show answer

   Move out of the lane as soon as it is safe. Reversible lanes carry traffic one way at some times and the opposite way at others, and special lights show whether you may use them. A green arrow means you can use the lane beneath it, and a red X means you cannot. A steady yellow X warns that the lane's use is changing, so you should move out of it as soon as it is safe. Waiting for the red X leaves you in a lane that is about to change direction. Stopping in the lane or racing ahead are not safe responses. Signal and merge into a regular lane.

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.