Lane lines, crosswalks and special lanes

Key points

1. A solid white line between lanes means do not cross, unless there is a hazard or you turn within the next block.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “A solid white line between lanes means you cannot cross. You can only cross if there is a hazard or you are turning within the next block.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 34

2. Stop your front wheels just before the crosswalk's solid white line, not on the crosswalk.

   Source: Handbook p. 34

   “Your front wheels should stop just before the solid white line. Do not stop on the crosswalk.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 34

3. Two solid yellow lines mean no one may pass, but you may cross to turn into a driveway.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “Two solid yellow lines means that no lane of travel can pass. Exceptions: You can cross the line if you turn into a driveway and it is safe to do so.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 35

4. You may pass a vehicle going less than half the speed limit, if safe, unless it is farm equipment.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “You can pass a vehicle going less than half the speed limit if it is safe, except if it is farm equipment.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 35

5. With dashed and solid yellow lines, you may pass only from the dashed side.

   Source: Handbook p. 35

   “This means you may pass if you are on the dashed side of the line. If you are on the solid side of the line, you may not pass.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 35

6. A shared center lane is only for left turns and U turns, from either direction.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “This lane is only for vehicles turning left or making a U-turn. Vehicles can use this lane going in either direction.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 36

7. Reversible lanes: red X closed, green arrow open, yellow X changing, so move to a green arrow lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 36

   “Red "X" Lane is closed Green "arrow" Lane is open Yellow "X" Lane is changing. Move to a Green "arrow" lane”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 36

8. You may enter a reserved lane only to turn across it within the next half block.

   Source: Handbook p. 37

   “You can travel in this lane if you need to turn across the reserved lane in the next half of a block.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 37

9. No large trucks may drive in a flex lane.

   Source: Handbook p. 38

   “No large trucks can drive in the flex lane.”
   Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Handbook p. 38

3 questions from the Wisconsin practice test

1. 1. On a two lane road, what does a solid yellow line beside a dashed yellow line indicate?

   1. The road is changing to one way traffic
   2. Passing is forbidden for vehicles on both sides
   3. Passing is allowed from the solid side only
   4. Passing is allowed from the dashed side but not the solid side
   Show answer

   Passing is allowed from the dashed side but not the solid side. A mixed yellow centerline assigns different passing permissions to the two directions. The driver beside the dashed line may pass when conditions make the maneuver safe. The driver beside the solid line may not pass. Treating both sides as prohibited loses the permission on the dashed side, while using the solid side reverses the marking’s meaning. Before crossing, check sight distance, opposing traffic, and the surrounding roadway. The line nearest your vehicle is the one that governs your passing decision.

2. 2. When may you cross a solid white line between lanes?

   1. Only for a hazard or a turn within the next block
   2. Whenever another driver is behind you
   3. Only when passing on the left
   4. At any time after signaling
   Show answer

   Only for a hazard or a turn within the next block. A solid white line normally means you cannot cross it. Wisconsin identifies two limited reasons: avoiding a hazard or turning within the next block. Signaling is important, but it does not make every crossing legal, so the choice “At any time after signaling” is too broad. Passing is not the listed exception either. Stay in your lane, monitor the road ahead, and cross only when one of those specific conditions applies safely.

3. 3. What does a yellow X over a reversible lane mean in Wisconsin?

   1. The lane must be used for left turns only
   2. The lane is permanently closed to all traffic
   3. The lane is open only for motorcycles
   4. The lane is changing, so move to a green arrow lane
   Show answer

   The lane is changing, so move to a green arrow lane. For reversible lanes, Wisconsin uses special lights to show whether a lane is usable. A yellow X means the lane is changing and the driver should move to a lane marked by a green arrow. A red X, not yellow, marks a closed lane. Motorcycle-only and left-turn-only uses are separate lane controls and are not the reversible lane signal described here. The cue is an overhead X: prepare to leave that lane before the direction or use changes.

Source: the Wisconsin Motorists' Handbook, Section 5: Signals, Pavement Markings and Lane Controls. 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.