Pavement markings and traffic signals

Key points

1. Yellow lines separate traffic lanes moving in opposite directions.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “Yellow lines separate traffic lanes moving in opposite directions.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 47

2. A single broken yellow center line means you may pass if it is safe.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “A single broken yellow line usually marks the center line of a two-way roadway where a vehicle may pass if it is safe to do so.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 47

3. If a solid yellow line is on your side of the center line, do not cross it to pass.

   Source: Handbook p. 47

   “If a solid yellow line is on your side of the center line, do not cross it to pass.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 47

4. Solid white lines mark the right edge of the road, and crossing them to pass is illegal.

   Source: Handbook p. 46

   “Solid white lines mark the right edge of the road. Often called fog lines, these lines help you stay on the road at night or in bad weather. It is illegal to cross solid white lines when passing.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 46

5. A left turn only center lane may not be used to pass or merge.

   Source: Handbook p. 48

   “Using this lane to pass other vehicles or as a merge lane is illegal and dangerous.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 48

6. At a Michigan Left, you go past the intersection and use a median crossover to turn.

   Source: Handbook p. 48

   “Instead, to turn left, a person must drive straight through the intersection, or turn right, then make a U-turn at a median crossover.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 48

7. At a red light, stop behind the crosswalk or stop line.

   Source: Handbook p. 49

   “Red light means stop. It is at the top of a traffic signal in Michigan. Stop your vehicle behind the crosswalk or stop line.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 49

8. On yellow you must stop, but if you cannot stop safely, do not speed up; drive cautiously through.

   Source: Handbook p. 49

   “You are required to stop on a yellow light. If you cannot stop safely, do not speed up but drive cautiously through the intersection.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 49

9. A flashing red light means come to a full stop and go when the road is clear.

   Source: Handbook p. 50

   “A flashing red light means come to a full stop. Proceed when the road is clear.”
   What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 50

10. A flashing yellow arrow lets you turn left once oncoming traffic is clear, with an adequate gap and no pedestrians or bicyclists crossing.

    Source: Handbook p. 50

    “A flashing yellow arrow allows you to turn left when the oncoming traffic, which has a green light, is clear. Be sure that there is an adequate gap in the traffic and that there are no pedestrians or bicyclists crossing before making your turn.”
    What Every Driver Must Know, Handbook p. 50

Recognize these signs

3 questions from the Michigan practice test

1. 1. What does a solid yellow line on your side of the centerline require before passing?

   1. Use it as a lane for turning left only
   2. Cross it whenever the road ahead is clear
   3. Do not cross it to pass
   4. Treat it as a broken white lane divider
   Show answer

   Do not cross it to pass. A solid yellow line on the driver’s side of the centerline marks a no-passing condition. The line is not an invitation to cross whenever a gap appears, and it is not equivalent to a broken white line, which separates same-direction lanes. A center lane reserved for left turns has its own markings and purpose. The important visual cue is the solid yellow line nearest your lane. Stay on your side until passing is permitted by the markings and roadway conditions. Do not confuse the limited situations for crossing a double yellow line, such as turning into a driveway, with permission to pass.

2. 2. What does a steady yellow traffic signal require when a driver can stop safely?

   1. Stop rather than speed up through the intersection
   2. Reverse to the previous stop line
   3. Ignore the signal if no pedestrians are visible
   4. Accelerate to beat the red light
   Show answer

   Stop rather than speed up through the intersection. A yellow light warns that the signal is about to turn red. When the vehicle can stop safely, the driver is required to stop. If stopping cannot be done safely, the driver should not speed up and should continue cautiously through the intersection. Accelerating to beat the red creates the very hazard the yellow warns about, and reversing is unsafe once the vehicle has entered the approach. The absence of visible pedestrians does not cancel the signal. Judge the stopping distance early, brake smoothly when there is room, and keep scanning for traffic already in the intersection.

3. 3. What does a flashing yellow arrow allow a driver to do?

   1. Turn left without yielding to anyone
   2. Treat the arrow exactly like a solid red arrow
   3. Proceed straight from any lane
   4. Turn left after oncoming traffic is clear and pedestrians are safe
   Show answer

   Turn left after oncoming traffic is clear and pedestrians are safe. A flashing yellow arrow allows a left turn, but it is permissive rather than protected. Oncoming traffic may have a green light, so the turning driver must wait for an adequate gap and check for pedestrians and bicyclists in the crossing. The arrow does not remove the yield duty, and it is not the same as a solid red arrow. Confirm the path is clear before beginning the turn, then continue with care.

Source: the What Every Driver Must Know, Chapter 5: Signs, Pavement Markings and Signals. 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.