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Junctions & Hazards

UK Road Markings: What Every Line and Symbol Means

Lines, chevrons, yellow boxes, arrows — road markings communicate rules you must follow. Here's what all of them mean.

6 min read

Road markings are instructions painted into the road surface. Unlike signs which you can miss, markings are under your wheels — and ignoring them is both dangerous and a test fault.

The Full Guide

A broken white centre line (short dashes, long gaps) separates lanes — you may cross it to overtake when safe. A hazard warning line (longer dashes, shorter gaps) means do not cross unless you can see it's safe — used near junctions and hazards. A double white line where one is solid means do not cross. Where both are solid, no crossing in either direction.

Common Faults

Ignoring lane arrows and using the wrong lane at a junction
Driving over a solid white centre line
Entering a box junction on yellow hatching
Not stopping at a solid stop line

What the Examiner Looks For

Correct lane selection based on road markings
Proper response to Give Way and Stop lines
Not crossing hazard or solid white lines unnecessarily

Quick Tips

1Look further ahead — markings give you advance warning
2Lane arrows appear before the junction — plan early
3Solid lines are absolute — don't cross them
4The Highway Code has a full visual reference for all UK markings

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