Road Markings
Purpose of Road Markings
Markings painted on the road surface provide information, orders, or warnings.
They may appear with roadside signs or on their own.
Advantages of Road Markings
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They remain visible even when roadside signs are hidden by traffic.
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They provide a continuous message as you drive.
General rule: The more paint, the more important the message.
Lines Across the Road
‘Give Way’ Lines
Double broken white lines across your half of the road show that traffic on the road you’re entering has priority.
They mark the position where you should stop if necessary to take your final look before joining.
You may also find these at some roundabouts, where traffic already on the roundabout must give way to those joining.
A single broken white line at a roundabout entrance tells you that traffic from your immediate right has priority — you must give way.
‘Stop’ Lines
A solid white line across your half of the road marks the point where you must stop:
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At junctions with a ‘Stop’ sign
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At traffic lights
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At level crossings and emergency access points
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At swing bridges or ferry crossings
Lines Along the Road
Double white lines control both overtaking and parking.
Overtaking
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If the line nearest you is solid, you must not cross or straddle it except when:
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Entering or leaving a side road or driveway
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Passing a stationary vehicle
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Overtaking a bicycle, horse, or road maintenance vehicle travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less
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Only cross when it’s safe and there’s enough room. Never try to squeeze through narrow gaps.
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If the line nearest you is broken, you may cross both lines to overtake — but only if you can complete the manoeuvre before reaching a solid line on your side.
Arrows painted on the road show the direction you must pass around double white lines or hatched areas.
Do not start overtaking once you see these arrows.
Parking
You must not stop or park on a road with double white lines, even if one is broken, except to:
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Pick up or set down passengers
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Load or unload goods
Hatched Markings
Hatched or chevron areas separate traffic streams, often around hazards like:
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Sharp bends
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Humps
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Areas where right-turning traffic needs protection
The area between the stripes may also be coloured (e.g., red) to make it stand out.
Rules:
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Solid boundary line: Do not enter except in an emergency.
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Broken boundary line: Avoid entering unless it’s safe and necessary.
Single Broken Lines
When the broken white line in the centre of the road becomes longer, it warns of a hazard ahead — such as a bend, junction, or narrowing.
Lane Dividers
Short broken white lines divide wide roads into lanes.
Keep within your lane unless you’re:
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Changing lanes
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Overtaking
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Turning right
Lanes for Specific Vehicles
Certain lanes are reserved for specific vehicles and are marked by signs and road markings.
In some one-way streets, buses and cyclists may be allowed to travel against the normal traffic flow — these are called contraflow lanes.
Bus Lanes
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Only vehicles shown on the bus lane sign may use the lane during its hours of operation.
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These times are shown on the sign. If no times are displayed, the lane operates 24 hours a day.
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When the bus lane is operating, do not drive or park in it.
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Outside the operating hours, all traffic may use the lane.
Cycle Lanes
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Solid white line: Do not drive or park in the lane during its hours of operation.
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Broken white line: Avoid entering unless it’s unavoidable.
Parking in a cycle lane is dangerous and can force cyclists into moving traffic.
High-Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Lanes
You must not drive in an HOV lane during its hours of operation unless your vehicle contains at least the minimum number of people shown on the sign.
Reflective Road Studa
Reflective studs (cat’s eyes) help drivers at night or in poor visibility.
They may accompany white lines and have specific meanings:
| Colour | Meaning |
| Red | Marks the left-hand edge of the carriageway |
| White | Separate lanes or marks the centre of the road |
| Amber | Marks the right-hand edge of the carriageway on dual carriageways or motorways |
| Green | Marks the edge of the main carriageway at slip roads or lay-bys |
At roadworks, fluorescent green/yellow studs may be used to indicate temporary lanes.
Box Junctions
Yellow crisscross lines mark a box junction.
Their purpose is to keep junctions clear and prevent traffic from blocking the path of crossing vehicles.
Rules:
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You must not enter a box junction unless your exit road is clear.
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You may enter the box if you intend to turn right and are only held up by oncoming traffic.
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You may also enter behind another vehicle that’s waiting to turn right, as long as you don’t block oncoming traffic.
If several vehicles are already waiting, it’s unlikely you’ll clear the junction before the lights change — so wait outside the box.
Words on the Road
Words painted on the road surface carry direct messages such as “STOP”, “SLOW”, or “KEEP CLEAR.”
If markings show that part of the road is reserved for certain vehicles — such as buses, taxis, or ambulances — do not park there.
School Markings
Outside schools, you’ll often see yellow zigzag lines and the words “School – Keep Clear.”
Do not stop, even to drop off or pick up passengers.
These markings ensure both drivers and children have a clear view of the road and crossing area.
Destination and Lane Markings
Destination Markings
Near busy junctions, lanes may have destination names or road numbers painted directly on the road.
These help you get into the correct lane early — especially useful if direction signs are obscured.
Lane Arrows
Arrows show which direction each lane serves:
| Lane | Arrow Direction |
| Left-hand lane | Left turn |
| Centre lane | Straight ahead |
| Right-hand lane | Right turn |
Sometimes arrows are combined, for example:
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Left lane: Straight ahead and left
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Right lane: Straight ahead and right
Arrows are positioned before the junction — they don’t mark the exact turning point.
Rumble Device
Rumble strips (raised markings or textured surfaces) alert drivers to hazards or speed changes ahead.
They may appear as raised yellow lines or similar textures on the approach to:
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Roundabouts
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Speed limit reductions
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Dangerous bends
When you feel or hear them, slow down in good time.