Pavement markings

Key points

1. Broken white lines separate same-direction lanes. Cross only to change lanes or turn.

   Source: Handbook p. 79

   “Broken white lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. Crossing the line is only allowed when changing lanes or turning.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 79

2. Crossing a solid white line needs special care and is discouraged. Crossing a double solid white line is prohibited.

   Source: Handbook p. 79

   “Crossing a solid white line requires special care and is discouraged. • Solid double white lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. Crossing a double solid white line is prohibited.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 79

3. Broken yellow lines separate single lanes moving in opposite directions, and passing is allowed.

   Source: Handbook p. 79

   “Broken yellow lines separate single lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions. Passing is allowed.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 79

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

   Source: Handbook p. 79

   “Two solid lines mark the center of the roadway and may be crossed to make a left turn to or from an alley, private road, driveway, or street.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 79

5. Solid yellow no passing lines mark zones where passing is not allowed.

   Source: Handbook p. 79

   “The lines indicate zones where passing is not allowed.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 79

6. With a solid and a broken yellow line, you may pass only when the broken line is nearest your lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 80

   “you may pass only when the broken yellow line is nearest your lane.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 80

7. Use a two-way left turn lane only to prepare for or make a left turn or a permitted U-turn.

   Source: Handbook p. 80

   “A vehicle may not be driven in the lane except when preparing for or making a left turn from or into the roadway or when preparing for or making a U-turn when permitted by law.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 80

8. A white stop line is usually 4 feet before the crosswalk. Stop before any part of your car crosses it.

   Source: Handbook p. 80

   “The line is usually 4 feet before the crosswalk in an urban area. It shows where you must stop your vehicle for a stop sign or red light. You must stop your vehicle before any part of it crosses the line.”
   Illinois Rules of the Road, Handbook p. 80

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Illinois practice test

1. 1. What do solid yellow no-passing lines indicate on an Illinois road?

   1. Traffic moves only in the same direction
   2. Passing is not allowed in that zone
   3. Parking is allowed on either side
   4. A lane is reserved for bicycles
   Show answer

   Passing is not allowed in that zone. Solid yellow no-passing lines mark zones where passing is not allowed on roads carrying traffic in opposite directions. They do not indicate same-direction lanes, parking permission, or a bicycle facility. Illinois describes limited circumstances in which a solid line may be crossed, such as finishing a pass already begun before the zone or turning left into or from an alley, private road, or driveway. For an ordinary passing decision, see solid yellow and treat the area as no passing.

2. 2. When may a driver cross solid double yellow center lines?

   1. To pass any vehicle traveling below the speed limit
   2. To make a left turn to or from an alley, private road, driveway, or street
   3. Whenever no oncoming vehicle is visible
   4. Only to enter a construction zone
   Show answer

   To make a left turn to or from an alley, private road, driveway, or street. Solid double yellow lines separate opposing traffic and generally prohibit crossing for passing. Illinois allows crossing them to make a left turn to or from an alley, private road, driveway, or street. A clear view does not turn the marking into a passing permission, and slow traffic is not an exception. Identify whether the movement is a permitted left turn before crossing the center marking.

3. 3. What do broken white lines between lanes traveling in the same direction permit?

   1. Crossing when changing lanes or turning
   2. Crossing only to pass into opposing traffic
   3. Never crossing under any condition
   4. Stopping between the lines to wait for a signal
   Show answer

   Crossing when changing lanes or turning. Broken white lines separate lanes traveling in the same direction. Illinois allows crossing that line when changing lanes or turning, provided the maneuver is safe and legal. The marking does not authorize entering opposing traffic, and the word broken distinguishes it from a solid double white line that cannot be crossed. Signal, check surrounding traffic, and move only when the adjacent lane is clear.

Source: the Illinois Rules of the Road, Chapter 10: Traffic Signals and 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.