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, DL 600 ENGLISH (REV. 6/2025). 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..