What is the penalty for overtaking by crossing double yellow lines?
2 Answers
Evidence will be collected and penalties imposed for any motor vehicle that illegally crosses double yellow lines. All offending vehicles will be subject to a penalty of 3 demerit points and a fine of 100 yuan. Yellow lines are used to separate lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions, typically painted down the center of the road to divide it into two directions.
Having driven for many years, I've seen plenty of drivers get heavily penalized for overtaking across double yellow lines. I remember that time on a suburban road when I saw a car force its way past, only to be immediately pulled over by traffic police, fined 200 yuan and docked 3 points on the spot. Double yellow lines are specifically designed for safety, marking hazardous sections like curves or slopes where overtaking is prohibited to prevent collisions. Later, I heard from professionals that besides fines and penalty points, such violations could also be recorded in one's driving record, affecting insurance claims. If an accident were to occur, the liability would be even greater—paying medical expenses is minor compared to the life-altering consequences of causing fatalities. So now I've developed the habit of only overtaking at solid lines or when the light is green, never taking unnecessary risks. In double yellow line zones, visibility is often poor with sharp turns common—crossing the line to overtake is simply too dangerous and not worth it.
