Pavement markings and passing

Key points

1. Broken yellow center lines on two lane roads may be crossed only to turn left or to pass.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “Broken yellow center lines are used on two-lane, two-way roads. You may cross them only to turn left or to pass another vehicle.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 16

2. One solid line beside a broken line means no passing for the lane with the solid line.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “One solid line with one broken line means no passing when you are in the lane with the solid line.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 16

3. Two solid yellow lines mean no passing in either direction; cross them only to turn left.

   Source: Handbook p. 16

   “Two solid yellow lines on a two-lane road means no passing in either direction. Crossing the centerline is permitted only as part of a left-turn maneuver.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 16

4. A two way left turn lane is only for left turns from either direction, never for passing.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “The center lane is reserved only for left-turning vehicles in either direction. Passing or overtaking is not permitted in the center lane.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 17

5. When stop lines and crosswalk lines are used together, stop before the stop line.

   Source: Handbook p. 17

   “When stop lines and crosswalk lines are used together, you must stop your vehicle before crossing the stop line.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 17

6. After passing, return to your lane at least 200 feet before meeting an approaching vehicle.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “return to your proper lane at least 200 feet before meeting an approaching vehicle.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 21

7. Never pass within 100 feet of an intersection, a railroad crossing or a tunnel.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “Within 100 feet of an intersection, a railroad crossing, or a tunnel.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 21

8. When being passed, do not speed up.

   Source: Handbook p. 21

   “When being passed, do not speed up.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 21

9. Signal continuously for the last 100 feet before a turn.

   Source: Handbook p. 19

   “All turn signals of intention to turn must be given continuously during the last 100 feet before the turn.”
   North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Handbook p. 19

Numbers to know

3 questions from the North Dakota practice test

1. 1. Broken yellow center lines are used on:

   1. Roads where opposing traffic never meets
   2. One-way roads only
   3. Parking lots with no moving traffic
   4. Two-lane, two-way roads
   Show answer

   Two-lane, two-way roads. Broken yellow center lines separate opposing traffic on two-lane, two-way roads. They may be crossed for a left turn or to pass another vehicle when the maneuver is safe and lawful. The one-way and no-opposing-traffic choices conflict with the purpose of a center line, and a parking lot is not the roadway type identified in the manual. When you see broken yellow lines, first confirm that the road carries traffic in both directions before considering a crossing.

2. 2. On a two-lane road, what do two solid yellow lines mean?

   1. Only vehicles in the left lane may pass
   2. Passing is allowed for both directions
   3. No passing in either direction
   4. The centerline may be crossed for any reason
   Show answer

   No passing in either direction. Two solid yellow lines on a two-lane road prohibit passing in both directions. Crossing the centerline remains limited to a left-turn maneuver, so the broad crossing choice is wrong even when a driver wants to overtake. There is no special passing privilege for one side, and the roadway marking does not authorize passing from both directions. Read the paired solid lines as a strong restriction: stay in your lane for travel and cross only when completing a permitted left turn.

3. 3. How close to an intersection does North Dakota prohibit passing?

   1. Passing is permitted up to the stop line if the road is clear
   2. Within 25 feet of an intersection
   3. Within 200 feet of an intersection only at night
   4. Within 100 feet of an intersection
   Show answer

   Within 100 feet of an intersection. The manual places intersections among the locations where a driver must never pass and gives a 100 foot boundary. The restriction also covers railroad crossings and tunnels. A 25 foot distance is not the stated rule, and the 200 foot choice combines an unrelated passing guideline with a nighttime condition that does not appear here. Check the distance before beginning a pass, since a clear view alone does not remove the location-based prohibition.

Source: the North Dakota Noncommercial Driver License Manual, 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.