Pavement Markings and Lanes

Key points

1. A broken yellow line separates opposite directions; cross it only to pass when safe.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “Crossing into the oncoming lane is permissible ONLY for passing and only when it is safe to pass.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 16

2. With a broken yellow line beside a solid one, you may pass with caution if the broken line is closest to your lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “If the broken line is closest to your lane, you may pass with caution.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 16

3. Passing from either side of a double yellow line is prohibited.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “Passing from either side of a double yellow line is PROHIBITED.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 16

4. A broken white line means you may cross to change lanes when safe.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “A vehicle may cross the line to change lanes when it is safe to do so.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 16

5. Crossing a double white line is prohibited.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “Crossing a double white line is PROHIBITED.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 16

6. A turn arrow in your lane means you must turn that way.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “An arrow pointing to the right means you MUST turn right if you travel in this lane.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 17

7. A center turn lane is never used for passing.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “The turn lane is NEVER used for passing.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 17

8. Never stop your car on any part of a crosswalk.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “Never stop your car on any part of a crosswalk.”
   Mississippi Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 17

3 questions from the Mississippi practice test

1. 1. When a broken yellow line is closest to your lane beside a solid yellow line, what may you do?

   1. Never cross the lines under any circumstance
   2. Pass at any time because the solid line applies only to trucks
   3. Pass with caution when the oncoming lane is clear and it is safe
   4. Cross only to park on the opposite shoulder
   Show answer

   Pass with caution when the oncoming lane is clear and it is safe. With a broken yellow line closest to the driver's lane, crossing to pass is permitted only with caution and only when the oncoming lane is clear and the maneuver is safe. The solid line restricts the driver traveling beside it, not the driver beside the broken line. Passing at any time ignores the safety condition, while an absolute prohibition describes a double solid yellow marking. Before crossing, check sight distance, traffic, and the road conditions rather than relying on the line alone.

2. 2. What does a double solid yellow center line mean?

   1. Only trucks may cross to pass
   2. Passing is allowed after sounding the horn
   3. Passing from either side is prohibited
   4. The line separates lanes moving in the same direction
   Show answer

   Passing from either side is prohibited. A double solid yellow line separates traffic moving in opposite directions and prohibits passing from either side. Crossing it puts the vehicle into opposing traffic, even when the slower vehicle ahead appears easy to overtake. Sounding the horn or driving a smaller vehicle does not create an exception. Stay in your lane until the marking and road conditions permit a legal maneuver. Read the center line before considering a pass, then wait for a broken marking and a clear view.

3. 3. What does a broken white pavement line allow a driver to do?

   1. Treat both sides of the line as a single turn-only lane
   2. Pass across opposing traffic without checking for hazards
   3. Stop in the lane to wait for a green arrow
   4. Change lanes when the movement can be made safely
   Show answer

   Change lanes when the movement can be made safely. A broken white line separates lanes moving in the same direction, so a driver may cross it to change lanes when the maneuver is safe. It does not authorize passing into opposing traffic, which is governed by yellow center markings. Stopping to await a signal and treating the line as a turn-only marking also misread its purpose. Check mirrors and the blind spot, signal, and move only after the adjacent lane is clear.

Source: the Mississippi Driver's Manual, 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.