Signs, signals and pavement markings
The center of the road is marked with two sets of double solid yellow lines spaced two or more feet apart. What do these markings mean?
- You may cross them to turn left into a driveway or to make a U-turn.
- They are a barrier: do not drive on or over them, turn left across them, or make a U-turn across them, except at designated openings. Correct answer
- You may cross them to pass a slow vehicle when the road ahead is clear.
Why
One set of double solid yellow lines already tells you not to pass, but the handbook still allows a left turn across a single set to enter or leave a driveway or private road, or to make a U-turn. Two sets spaced two feet or more apart are different: the handbook treats that painted strip like a raised median. You cannot drive on it, cross it, turn left over it, or U-turn over it, unless a designated opening is provided. Passing is out of the question in both cases, because passing over any double solid yellow lines is prohibited. If you need to turn left across a double-double, keep going until you find a designated opening.
Where this comes from
California Driver's Handbook, June 2025 edition. The correct answer is They are a barrier: do not drive on or over them, turn left across them, or make a U-turn across them, except at designated openings.
The rule behind this one
California road signs, signals and pavement markings goes through the whole topic, with the page of the California Driver's Handbook behind every rule.
More on signs, signals and pavement markings
- You come to an intersection where the traffic signal is a flashing red light. What does it require you to do?
- You arrive at an intersection where the traffic signal is completely dark because of a power failure. What should you do?
- The light is green, but traffic ahead is backed up and you are not sure you can get all the way across the intersection before the light turns red. What should you do?
- You are driving next to a carpool (HOV) lane that is separated from your lane by double solid white lines. When may you cross them to enter the HOV lane?