Two lanes are separated by a yellow center line. What does the color tell you about their traffic?
Correct answer: The lanes carry traffic in opposite directions.
Yellow center lines separate opposing traffic. The pattern of the lines and the road situation determine whether passing is permitted.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog edition Revised 11/2024, printed/physical page 36: Pavement Markings — Yellow center-line color. Exact current manual text read September 29, 2026. Illustration independently sourced from FHWA or our own schematic; no handbook-image inspection or copying claimed. ↗
A two-way road has the single broken yellow center line shown. What does the marking permit?
Correct answer: Passing from either direction when the maneuver is otherwise safe and lawful.
A broken yellow center line identifies a passing-permitted section in both directions. It does not remove the need for a clear view, a safe gap, and compliance with other restrictions.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog edition Revised 11/2024, printed/physical page 36: Pavement Markings — Broken yellow center line. Exact current manual text read September 29, 2026. Illustration independently sourced from FHWA or our own schematic; no handbook-image inspection or copying claimed. ↗
You are in the lane beside the solid yellow line in this pair. What does that mean for passing a slower car?
Correct answer: You must not cross the center lines for that pass.
The center-line pattern applies according to the line nearest your lane. A solid yellow line on your side prohibits passing across it.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog edition Revised 11/2024, printed/physical page 36: Pavement Markings — Solid side of a mixed yellow line. Exact current manual text read September 29, 2026. Illustration independently sourced from FHWA or our own schematic; no handbook-image inspection or copying claimed. ↗
You are beside the broken yellow line, with a solid yellow line beyond it. How does the marking affect a proposed pass?
Correct answer: Passing may be allowed from your side if traffic, visibility, and other rules permit.
A broken line on your side permits a pass when safe and otherwise lawful. Drivers on the solid-line side do not have the same passing permission.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog edition Revised 11/2024, printed/physical page 36: Pavement Markings — Broken side of a mixed yellow line. Exact current manual text read September 29, 2026. Illustration independently sourced from FHWA or our own schematic; no handbook-image inspection or copying claimed. ↗
What do the two solid yellow center lines tell drivers who want to pass an ordinary car?
Correct answer: Passing across the lines is prohibited in both directions.
Double solid yellow lines establish a no-passing section for both traffic directions. This item concerns overtaking a car, not a separate left-turn maneuver.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog edition Revised 11/2024, printed/physical page 36: Pavement Markings — Double solid yellow passing restriction. Exact current manual text read September 29, 2026. Illustration independently sourced from FHWA or our own schematic; no handbook-image inspection or copying claimed. ↗
What is the purpose of the center lane marked with opposing left-turn arrows and solid/broken yellow boundaries?
Correct answer: Left turns from either direction, or U-turns where permitted.
This center lane serves left turns from either direction or U-turns where permitted. Enter only when safe; it is not a passing or through-travel lane.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog edition Revised 11/2024, printed/physical page 37: Shared Center Lane. Exact current manual text read September 29, 2026. Illustration independently sourced from FHWA or our own schematic; no handbook-image inspection or copying claimed. ↗
A white lane line separates two adjacent travel lanes. What does that color normally indicate?
Correct answer: The lanes carry traffic in the same direction.
White lane lines separate same-direction lanes. Their color has a different meaning from yellow center lines separating opposing flows.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog edition Revised 11/2024, printed/physical page 36: Pavement Markings — White lane-line color. Exact current manual text read September 29, 2026. Illustration independently sourced from FHWA or our own schematic; no handbook-image inspection or copying claimed. ↗
What does the broken white line between the two same-direction lanes indicate?
Correct answer: A lane change is permitted when it can be made safely.
A broken white line allows lane changes but does not give the changing driver priority. Check traffic and signal before crossing it.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog edition Revised 11/2024, printed/physical page 36: Pavement Markings — Broken white lane line. Exact current manual text read September 29, 2026. Illustration independently sourced from FHWA or our own schematic; no handbook-image inspection or copying claimed. ↗
A broad white stop line is painted before an intersection controlled by a STOP sign. What does that line show?
Correct answer: The position before which you should make the required stop.
The stop line locates the stopping point for the control. Stop before it, then assess the intersection and proceed only when safe.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog edition Revised 11/2024, printed/physical page 37: Crosswalks and Stop Lines. Exact current manual text read September 29, 2026. Illustration independently sourced from FHWA or our own schematic; no handbook-image inspection or copying claimed. ↗
What does a pair of white crosswalk lines or a series of longitudinal white crosswalk bars identify?
Correct answer: A pedestrian crossing that vehicles must not block.
Crosswalk markings designate where pedestrians will cross. Keep the crossing clear; the presence or absence of a pedestrian at this moment does not turn it into vehicle storage.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog edition Revised 11/2024, printed/physical page 37: Crosswalks and Stop Lines. Exact current manual text read September 29, 2026. Illustration independently sourced from FHWA or our own schematic; no handbook-image inspection or copying claimed. ↗
An intersection has no painted crosswalk lines. What should a driver conclude about pedestrians crossing there?
Correct answer: A crosswalk may be unmarked; its absence from the pavement does not remove the duty to yield.
Crosswalks can be unmarked at intersections. Look for crossing pedestrians and yield as required; missing paint is not permission to block or ignore their crossing.
Source: South Dakota Driver License Manual, current catalog edition Revised 11/2024, printed/physical page 37: Crosswalks and Stop Lines — unmarked crosswalks. Exact current manual text read September 29, 2026. Illustration independently sourced from FHWA or our own schematic; no handbook-image inspection or copying claimed. ↗
