What is the difference between white and yellow lines?
2 Answers
The differences between white and yellow lines are as follows: 1. Double yellow lines are generally the central dividing lines on roads with four or more lanes. If both yellow lines are solid, it indicates that crossing the line or overtaking is strictly prohibited. A single yellow line is usually the central dividing line on two-lane roads. A single yellow line can be either solid or dashed; when dashed, crossing the line for overtaking is allowed, but when solid, it is not. Solid lines often appear at intersections. 2. A solid white line is the lane divider for same-direction traffic, typically a single line, and crossing or overtaking is not allowed. A dashed white line is generally the lane divider for same-direction traffic, allowing crossing or overtaking. 3. If it is a solid yellow line, it indicates a no-parking marking, meaning parking is not allowed in this section, including temporary parking. If it is a dashed yellow line, temporary parking is allowed, but long-term parking is not. Violators will be fined 100 yuan and receive 3 penalty points. 4. A solid white line beside the road is the boundary line for the motor vehicle lane, separating it from non-motorized vehicle lanes or sidewalks. It is not directly related to whether parking is allowed.
After driving for so many years, I often get asked by beginners about the difference between white and yellow lines. White lines generally separate lanes in the same direction. For example, dashed white lines on the road indicate that lane changes are allowed, while solid white lines mean you shouldn’t change lanes randomly—this is mainly to reduce rear-end collisions. As for yellow lines, they usually divide opposing lanes, like the yellow line in the center of a two-lane road. A solid yellow line warns you not to overtake, while a dashed yellow line means overtaking is allowed but you should check the road conditions first. The colors on the road aren’t painted randomly; they’re designed in white and yellow to help drivers quickly assess risk levels, and they’re also highly visible at night with headlights on. Remembering these rules can significantly improve driving safety—many accidents each year are caused by misjudging lane markings. My personal advice: practice identifying line types before driving, and make it a habit to avoid mistakes.
