Lines and lane markings

Key points

1. White dashes mean you can change lanes. Shorter, thicker dashes mean the lane is ending.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “White dashes: You can change lanes where this marking is present. Shorter and thicker white dashes: The lane is ending.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 69

2. A solid white line means you should not change lanes.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “Solid white line: You should not change lanes.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 69

3. A solid white line with a bicycle symbol marks a bicycle only area.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “Solid white line with bicycle insignia: This area is for bicycle or electric-assist bicycle traffic only.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 69

4. A solid yellow line means you must not pass. Yellow dashes mean you may pass.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “Solid yellow line: You must not pass. Passing in a no-passing zone is illegal. Yellow dashes: You may pass.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 69

5. With mixed solid and dashed yellow lines, obey the marking on your side.

   Source: Handbook p. 69

   “You must obey the marking in your lane of traffic.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 69

6. Center turn lanes may be used by traffic from either direction to turn left onto a road or driveway.

   Source: Handbook p. 71

   “Vehicles traveling in either direction can use these lanes to make left turns onto another roadway or a driveway.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 71

7. Carpool lanes are for vehicles with two or more occupants.

   Source: Handbook p. 71

   “Carpool lanes are restricted to vehicles with two or more occupants.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 71

8. Obey a traffic officer's hand signals over signals, signs and pavement markings.

   Source: Handbook p. 71

   “When an officer is present, obey any hand signals you are given rather than traffic signals, signs or pavement markings.”
   Minnesota Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 71

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Minnesota practice test

1. 1. What do white dashes between lanes of traffic traveling in the same direction mean?

   1. The lane is reserved for emergency vehicles only
   2. The lanes carry traffic in opposite directions
   3. Lane changes are prohibited until the next intersection
   4. A lane change is permitted where the marking is present
   Show answer

   A lane change is permitted where the marking is present. White lines separate lanes moving in the same direction, and white dashes indicate that a driver may change lanes at that location. The permission still depends on a safe gap, a signal, and a check for vehicles in the blind spot. The opposing-direction choice describes the function of yellow lines, while a prohibition would be associated with a solid or double solid white line. The emergency-only choice adds a restriction not conveyed by ordinary white dashes. The cue is the combination of color and pattern: white means same direction, and dashes mark a possible lane change.

2. 2. What does a solid white line beside your lane generally tell you?

   1. Change lanes immediately before the line ends
   2. Opposing traffic is directly beside you
   3. Avoid changing lanes across the line
   4. Passing is required in that lane
   Show answer

   Avoid changing lanes across the line. White lines separate lanes moving in the same direction, and a solid white line means you should not change lanes across it. It can also mark a crosswalk, stop line, parking stall, or roadway edge, so consider the surrounding layout before moving. It does not divide opposing traffic, which is the role of yellow lines. A solid boundary is not an instruction to cross before it ends. Treat the line as a lane boundary and remain positioned until a legal opening or broken marking permits a move.

3. 3. What is the permitted purpose of a center lane marked for two-way left turns?

   1. Traveling continuously as a normal lane
   2. Passing slower traffic straight through
   3. Long-term parking between intersections
   4. Left turns from either direction
   Show answer

   Left turns from either direction. A center lane between opposing traffic lanes may be reserved for left turns in either direction. Drivers use it to prepare for a left turn onto another roadway or driveway, not as a through lane for passing or ordinary travel. Parking there blocks a lane intended for turning vehicles and creates a conflict with traffic approaching from the opposite direction. Look for the parallel solid and dashed yellow lines and any white turn arrows. Enter only for the left-turn maneuver, then leave the center lane as soon as that maneuver is complete.

Source: the Minnesota Driver's Manual, Chapter 5: Signs, 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.