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 travel in a reserved lane if you need to turn across it in the next half of a 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. What does a solid white line between lanes generally mean?

   1. You cannot cross it except for a hazard or an imminent turn within the next block
   2. You may cross it at any time to pass
   3. It separates traffic traveling in opposite directions
   4. It marks a lane that must be used for parking
   Show answer

   You cannot cross it except for a hazard or an imminent turn within the next block. A solid white line between lanes means you should not cross it in ordinary lane changes. The handbook allows crossing when there is a hazard or when you are turning within the next block. It is not a passing invitation, and it does not divide opposing traffic because yellow lines serve that purpose. Parking is not the meaning of the marking. Treat the line as a restriction, then identify one of the handbook’s limited reasons before crossing.

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

   1. The lane is closed, so stop and wait for it to reopen
   2. The lane is permanently closed to all traffic
   3. The lane is open, so continue and pass slower traffic
   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, and a yellow X does not mean the lane is open for passing. The signal is not a left-turn-only or motorcycle-only control. 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.