Pavement Markings and Special Lanes

Key points

1. At a stop sign or signal, stop behind the stop line or crosswalk; if none is marked, stop before the intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 44

   “At a stop sign or signal, you must stop behind the stop line or crosswalk. If crosswalks are not marked, you must stop before the intersection or stop sign.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 44

2. Yield to pedestrians entering or in a crosswalk, even an unmarked one.

   Source: Handbook p. 44

   “You must yield to pedestrians entering or in a crosswalk, even if it is not marked.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 44

3. Do not enter a shared center left turn lane more than 500 feet before your turn.

   Source: Handbook p. 44

   “you may not enter the lane more than 500 feet before making the turn unless the last car is more than 500 feet from the intersection.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 44

4. Flex lanes may have double dashed yellow lines on either side.

   Source: Handbook p. 39

   “The lanes may have double-dashed yellow lines to either side.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 39

5. Utah express lanes are free for vehicles with 2 or more people.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “The express lanes may be used as a carpool lane for those vehicles with two or more persons for free.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 40

6. Crossing the double white line of an express lane is illegal; move in and out only at access points.

   Source: Handbook p. 40

   “It is illegal to cross a double white line. Moving in and out of the carpool lane is not allowed except in specific locations (called access points)”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 40

7. Crossing or driving in the gore area between solid white lines is against the law.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “It is against the law to cross over or to drive in the “gore area.””
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 31

8. Never change lanes while driving through an intersection.

   Source: Handbook p. 31

   “Never attempt to change lanes while driving through an intersection.”
   Utah Driver Handbook, Handbook p. 31

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Utah practice test

1. 1. With no queue extending beyond the usual limit, what is the maximum distance before a left turn at which you may enter Utah's shared center turn lane?

   1. 100 feet
   2. 300 feet
   3. 500 feet
   4. 1,000 feet
   Show answer

   500 feet. The ordinary entry limit is 500 feet before the left turn. The handbook allows an exception when the last car is more than 500 feet from the intersection, but this situation excludes that extended queue. Entering 1,000 feet early without that condition would use the lane beyond the stated limit. Locate your driveway or intersection first, then time the lane entry instead of treating the shared lane as a long approach lane.

2. 2. Which marking may border a Utah flex lane that carries traffic in one direction at some times and the opposite direction at others?

   1. Blue reflectors
   2. Solid white lines
   3. A single broken white line
   4. Double dashed yellow lines on either side
   Show answer

   Double dashed yellow lines on either side. Flex lanes are used during rush hours and may carry traffic one way at certain times and the opposite way at other times. The handbook notes these lanes may have double dashed yellow lines to either side, and signals above the lanes show which lane is safe to travel. Yellow tells you opposing traffic can be on the other side of the line. Solid white lines and broken white lines separate same direction lanes, and blue reflectors mark fire hydrants. Before entering a flex lane, check the overhead signal, and use the lane only when a green arrow shows it is open in your direction.

3. 3. What does the Utah handbook say about the double white line beside an I-15 express lane?

   1. It may be crossed whenever traffic is slow
   2. It is illegal to cross it; enter and exit only where the line is broken
   3. It marks the shoulder
   4. It may be crossed by motorcycles only
   Show answer

   It is illegal to cross it; enter and exit only where the line is broken. The express lanes on I-15 are separated from the general lanes by a double white line, and the handbook states that it is illegal to cross a double white line. Move in and out of the express lane only where the marking allows it. The rule applies to every vehicle, including the motorcycles, buses and clean fuel decal vehicles that may use the lane free, and slow traffic does not create an exception.

Source: the Utah Driver Handbook, Section 9: Pavement Markings, Flex Lanes and Express Lanes. 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.