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How-to guide · Michigan City Ford · Michigan City, IN
Yellow and White Lane Markings Explained
Line color tells you which way traffic flows, and line pattern tells you whether you may cross. Here is what the national Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) says each marking means, plus the passing rules in the Indiana BMV Driver's Manual.
Yellowseparates traffic moving in opposite directions
Whiteseparates traffic moving the same direction
4-6 in.width of a normal line; a wide line is at least double
10 / 30 ftguidance for broken line segments and gaps
The short answer
Yellow lines divide opposing traffic; white lines divide lanes going your way. Broken means crossing with care is allowed, solid means crossing is discouraged or prohibited, and double solid yellow means no passing in either direction.
Yellow lines vs. white lines
The MUTCD, published by the Federal Highway Administration, is a compilation of national standards for traffic control devices, including road markings, and defines the standards road managers use nationwide on streets and highways open to public travel.
Under the MUTCD, yellow lines separate traffic traveling in opposite directions, mark the left-hand edge of divided highways, one-way streets and ramps, and separate two-way left-turn lanes and reversible lanes from other lanes. White lines separate traffic flows going the same direction and mark the right-hand edge of the roadway.
First paragraph from the FHWA MUTCD home page; color meanings from Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 3A.03, read November 3, 2026.
What each line pattern means
The common longitudinal markings and what the MUTCD says each one means:
| Marking | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Broken yellow center line | Two-way road. Passing with care is permitted for traffic in either direction. |
| Solid yellow line beside a broken yellow line | Passing with care is permitted for traffic next to the broken line and prohibited for traffic next to the solid line. |
| Double solid yellow lines | No passing in either direction. Also the center line on undivided roads with four or more through lanes, except where there is a reversible lane or a two-way left-turn lane. |
| Solid and broken yellow on each side of a center lane | A two-way left-turn lane, used by traffic in either direction to turn left. The broken line faces the turn lane. |
| Broken white line | Separates lanes going the same direction. Crossing with care is not discouraged. |
| Solid white line | Separates same-direction lanes where crossing is discouraged, such as a through lane next to a mandatory turn lane on an intersection approach. White lines also mark the right edge of the road. |
| Double solid white line | Between lanes, crossing is prohibited. A wide or double solid white line is also used as a channelizing line to form a neutral area, such as at ramps. |
From Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Sections 3A.03, 3B.01, 3B.05, 3B.06 and 3B.08, read November 3, 2026.
Solid, broken, double and dotted
The MUTCD gives every line pattern a general meaning:
Double line
Indicates maximum or special restrictions.
Solid line
Discourages or prohibits crossing, depending on the application.
Broken line
Indicates a permissive condition. Guidance is 10-foot segments with 30-foot gaps.
Dotted line
Warns of a downstream change in lane function, or guides vehicles through an intersection, taper or interchange ramp area.
Wide line
At least twice the width of a normal 4- to 6-inch line. Width indicates the degree of emphasis.
From Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 3A.04, read November 3, 2026.
Where no-passing zones are marked
The MUTCD says no-passing zone markings are used on two-way roads at lane-reduction transitions, on approaches to obstructions that must be passed on the right, on approaches to grade crossings and on approaches to crosswalks. On two- and three-lane roads with center lines, no-passing zones are also set at curves and hills where passing sight distance is too short.
From Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 3B.03, read November 3, 2026.
Passing rules in the Indiana BMV manual
The BMV manual says it is dangerous and illegal to pass in the first four situations below, and sets the last rule for every pass:
| Situation | Rule |
|---|---|
| Solid yellow line on your side | Do not pass when a solid yellow line is marked on the driver's side of the center line. |
| No passing signs | Do not pass at a yellow pennant-shaped No Passing Zone sign on the left or a white rectangular Do Not Pass sign on the right. |
| Curves and hills | Do not pass on or approaching a curve, or approaching the crest of a hill or grade. |
| 100 feet | Do not pass within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, bridge, viaduct or tunnel. |
| Returning to your lane | You must return to the right side of the road no less than 100 feet before any oncoming vehicle. |
From the Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation, read November 3, 2026. Laws change; check the current manual.
Keep your vehicle ready for the road
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Schedule service online and see our service specials first. Michigan City Ford is at 3930 Franklin St. in Michigan City. Get directions.
Michigan City Ford service hours
| Days | Hours |
|---|---|
| Mon-Fri | 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. |
| Sat | 8 a.m.-3 p.m. |
| Sun | closed |
From Michigan City Ford's website, November 3, 2026. Holiday hours can differ.
Lane markings FAQ
What does a solid yellow line mean?
Yellow lines separate traffic moving in opposite directions. Under the MUTCD, a solid yellow line beside a broken yellow line means passing is prohibited for traffic next to the solid line, and double solid yellow lines mean no passing in either direction. The Indiana BMV manual says you should not cross a solid yellow line except to turn.
Can a single solid yellow line be a center line?
No. The MUTCD says a single solid yellow line shall not be used as a center line marking on a two-way roadway. Yellow is also used for the left-hand edge of divided highways, one-way streets and ramps.
What does a broken white line mean?
Broken white lines separate lanes of traffic moving the same direction where crossing with care is not discouraged. The BMV manual says you may cross a broken white line when it is safe to change lanes.
When is passing illegal in Indiana?
The BMV manual lists passing when a solid yellow line is on your side of the center line, where a No Passing Zone or Do Not Pass sign is posted, on or approaching a curve or the crest of a hill, and within 100 feet of an intersection, railroad crossing, bridge, viaduct or tunnel.
What does a solid white line mean?
A solid white lane line means crossing is discouraged. The MUTCD says one should be used on intersection approaches to separate a through lane from a mandatory turn lane. A white line also marks the right-hand edge of the road.
What do double lines mean in general?
The MUTCD says a double line indicates maximum or special restrictions, a solid line discourages or prohibits crossing, and a broken line indicates a permissive condition.
How long are the dashes in a broken line?
The MUTCD guidance is 10-foot line segments with 30-foot gaps, or a similar ratio suited to traffic speeds.
What does The Works at Michigan City Ford include?
The Works® at Michigan City Ford includes a synthetic blend oil change, tire rotation and pressure check, brake inspection, Multi-Point Inspection, fluid top-off, battery test, and a filter, belts and hoses check.
Book a routine checkup
Book The Works, which includes a brake inspection, tire rotation and pressure check, and battery test, at Michigan City Ford.
Sources
Marking definitions are from the Federal Highway Administration's MUTCD, 11th Edition with Revision 1 (December 2025), and passing rules are from the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles Driver's Manual, read November 3, 2026. Laws change; this page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice. Service details, address and hours are from Michigan City Ford's own website, checked the same day. Photo is illustrative.
- Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), 11th Edition with Revision 1, Part 3 (Sections 3A.03, 3A.04, 3B.01, 3B.03, 3B.05, 3B.06, 3B.08), Federal Highway Administration, PDF dated December 2025, read November 3, 2026
- 11th Edition of the MUTCD with Revision 1 (current edition, dated December 2025), Federal Highway Administration, read November 3, 2026
- About the MUTCD, Federal Highway Administration, read November 3, 2026
- Indiana Driver's Manual, Chapter 7: Safe Vehicle Operation (lane markings, changing lanes and passing), Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles, PDF modified July 7, 2026, read November 3, 2026
- General service: The Works, Michigan City Ford, November 3, 2026
- Address and service hours (structured data), Michigan City Ford, November 3, 2026