7 Common Pavement Markings & What They Mean

In this blog:

Learn what common pavement markings mean and how lines, symbols and crossing indicators help drivers navigate roads and parking areas safely.

• Understand the difference between solid, broken and combination yellow and white lines.
• Learn how stop lines, crosswalks and pedestrian crossings guide drivers and protect pedestrians.
• Explore other common pavement markings like turn arrows, accessible parking symbols, railroad crossings, school zones and bike lanes.

Road markings come in various shapes and sizes. They range from intuitive parking space stripes to the more complicated centerlines and turn arrows that you’ll see on roads and at intersections. 

Pavement lines are important signals that help keep everyone safe by, quite literally, keeping them in their lanes. There’s never a bad time to brush up on these markings, particularly the ones that may not be as obvious as others. Below, we explore seven common pavement markings (plus a few others) and what they mean.

Pavement Markings At A Glance

1. Solid Yellow Lines

Solid yellow lines on roads separate traffic traveling in opposite directions. They’re used as the center line on two-lane and multi-lane roads with vehicles traveling both ways. They indicate no-passing zones.

• If you see a solid double yellow line in the middle of a road, you cannot cross it to pass other cars within your lane. The cars in the opposite lane likewise can’t pass vehicles in their own lane. 
• If there’s a single solid yellow line in the middle of the road, vehicles in either lane can’t cross that line to pass.

2. Single Broken or Dashed Yellow Lines

Single dashed yellow lines also separate traffic going in opposite directions. You’ll often see them on two-lane roads. You can cross single dashed yellow lines into the oncoming lane to pass, provided that the way ahead of you is clear. Do not drive continually in the oncoming lane when you see a dashed yellow line; only use it to pass.

3. Solid-Broken Yellow Line Combinations

You might encounter double yellow lines where one line is dashed and the other is solid. In these situations, only traffic on one side of the road can pass by crossing the yellow line.

• If the dashed yellow line is on your side of the road, you are allowed to cross the line to pass.
• If the solid yellow line is on your side, you are not allowed to cross it to pass. Traffic in the opposite lane (where the dashed line is) may attempt to pass using your lane.

4. Stop Lines

Stop lines are solid, wide, horizontal white lines indicating where to stop on the roadway. You’ll encounter stop lines at intersections with crossing traffic. You might also see them near railroad tracks, at pedestrian crossings and at the end of parking lot lanes.

Some stop lines have the word “STOP” painted on or near them. You might also see stop signs, flashing lights or standard stop lights nearby. In very rare cases, you may even see the word “STOP” by itself or the word “STOP” between two horizontal lines. Regardless of whether these signals are present, you must still come to a full stop at all stop lines.

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5. Dashed and Solid White Lines

White lines separate traffic traveling in the same direction. You’ll usually see them on interstates and multi-lane roads.

• If the lines are broken, you can pass traffic traveling in the same direction by crossing the white lines. Only cross these lines if the area ahead and behind you is clear.
• If you see solid white lines, you cannot pass traffic traveling in your same direction. If the lines are solid around a traffic merging zone, you cannot merge until the solid lines end. You may occasionally see double solid lines in merge zones. Do not merge until you pass these lines.

6. Crosswalk Lines

Crosswalks are marked by two parallel, horizontal lines across the road. They usually appear at intersections, but you may see them in neighborhoods, or where trailheads or walking paths intersect roadways. Some crosswalks are also designed with a series of wider vertical lines.

Always yield or stop for pedestrians or bicyclists in crosswalks. Do not overtake or pass vehicles stopped for pedestrians in a crosswalk. Even if an intersection does not have marked crosswalk lines, always use caution to look out for pedestrians.

7. Pedestrian Crossings

Pedestrian crossings are similar to crosswalk lines, but they’re a bit more prominent. Most are marked by two white, double parallel lines across the road. The words “PED XING” are usually present in each lane approaching the walking area. Some pedestrian crossings also are slightly elevated, like speed bumps, to slow traffic. Yellow yield signs, Stop signs, “Pedestrian Crossing” signs or flashing lights may also be present in the area. Yellow flashing lights mean to slow and use caution when crossing the area. Red flashing lights mean come to a full stop and watch for pedestrians before proceeding.

You’ll often see pedestrian crossings in high foot-traffic areas near schools, shopping centers, hospitals and sporting arenas. The same pedestrian right-of-way rules apply for pedestrian crossings as for crosswalks. You must yield or stop for pedestrians in crossing lanes. 

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Other Pavement Markings You Might Encounter

The seven examples above are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to pavement markings. During your drives, you’ll often encounter other markings, such as:

• Arrows: These symbols appear at intersections, in parking lots, and even on roadways where a lot of merging traffic may be present. They indicate the direction of travel allowed in your lane. Different lanes might allow straight travel, right turns only, left turns only or a combination.
• Handicap-accessible markings: To meet Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, parking lots must offer handicap-accessible spaces. These spaces are often painted with a wheelchair symbol, sometimes backed by a blue circle. Some accessible spaces will include marked loading/unloading zones next to them. “Handicapp Accessible” signs may also be present.
• Railroad crossings: Many railroad intersections are marked with “R X R” symbols between two wide white horizontal lines. Yellow “R X R” signs may also be present, but keep in mind that some railroad crossings do not have the familiar flashing lights or safety gates. Always slow down and use caution when approaching tracks. Come to a complete stop and look both ways if directed to do so.
• School zones: Speed and safety zones around schools are typically marked with the word “SCHOOL” between two horizontal lines. These zones may be close to pedestrian crossings. You may need to slow down in school zones before, during and after school hours. Other rules may prohibit right turns on red or similar actions in school zones. Pay close attention to the pavement markings and any nearby signs.
• Bicycle lanes: Special bike lanes may be added to the right-hand shoulder of certain roads. They’re usually separated from the vehicle lane by solid white lines. They’re often marked with a bicycle symbol or with “BIKE LANE.” Don’t drive or pass in bike lanes and give extra space to bikers.

A special note on animal crossings: In areas where deer, raccoons, ducks, protected wildlife and other animals may cross the roads, you’ll often encounter animal caution warnings. These are usually printed on yellow signs, but you may occasionally see road markings, too. 

Need Pavement Markings?

A solid understanding of pavement markings helps create safer roads, and it’s important to have the right markings in any commercial space. For lasting parking lot striping and pavement lines, Raleigh Paving is the paving partner North Carolina businesses trusts. Get a free quote on your next parking lot project today.

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