California DMV Motorcycle Knowledge Test (M1)Rules of the Road and Impaired RidingEasy
A motorcyclist is riding on a road with a single solid yellow line separating their lane from the opposing lane of traffic. What does this pavement marking indicate?
- APassing is permitted from either direction when safe.
- BPassing is permitted for traffic on the side of the solid yellow line only.
- CPassing is prohibited for traffic in both directions.
- DPassing is permitted only for motorcycles, not cars.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Passing is prohibited for traffic in both directions.
A single solid yellow line separating opposing traffic lanes indicates that passing is prohibited for vehicles traveling in both directions. This marking is used in areas where it is unsafe to cross the centerline, such as near hills or curves.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is incorrect; a solid yellow line prohibits passing.
- B. This describes a broken yellow line paired with a solid yellow line, not a single solid yellow line.
- D. Traffic laws apply equally to motorcycles and cars; there are no special passing rules based on vehicle type for solid yellow lines.
Solid Yellow Line
A single solid yellow line separating opposing lanes of traffic means that passing is prohibited for vehicles traveling in both directions.
- Indicates a no-passing zone.
- Crossing is only allowed for turns or entering/exiting a driveway.
- Enforces safety in areas with limited sight distance.
Memory trick: Solid Yellow: Stop Your Overtaking.