How to drive when one side of the double yellow line is solid and the other is dashed?
2 Answers
Lane changes are allowed with dashed lines. Only the side with the dashed line can cross into the lane with the solid line, and the lane change must be completed within the dashed section. There is another type of line called longitudinal deceleration lines, which are commonly seen on overpasses, toll stations, and other places. Longitudinal deceleration lines also consist of one dashed and one solid line.
Back when I was learning to drive, I specifically studied this type of road marking. With double yellow lines where one side is solid and the other is broken, your driving position is crucial. If the broken line is on your side of the lane, you can completely move into the opposite lane to overtake or turn. But if your side has the solid line, you must never cross it—crossing the line is a violation. For example, when overtaking a tractor on a country road, the side with the broken line allows you to borrow the opposite lane to pass, but straying onto the solid line side could lead to a head-on collision with oncoming traffic. Never underestimate these lines—they clearly assign right-of-way control, with the solid line serving as a strict warning against crossing. Be extra cautious at night or during heavy rain when the markings become nearly invisible. In such conditions, it’s better to drive slower than to risk unsafe overtaking.
