Pavement markings in Virginia
The Virginia Driver's Manual shows or names everything on this page: 25 in all, on pages 11–13, 22.
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Red Pavement Reflectors
Red reflectors on the pavement show areas not to be entered or used. They are positioned on the road surface so that only traffic flowing in the wrong direction would observe them.
Manual page 11 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 11)
Broken Yellow Line Alongside a Solid Yellow Line
Yellow center lines mean two-way traffic, flowing in opposite directions. / A broken yellow line alongside a solid yellow line means that passing is allowed from the side of the broken line, but not from the side of the solid line. Vehicles on the solid yellow line side may only cross the line to pass pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of scooters or skateboards, when the opposite lane is clear and you can pass safely. (p11) / Passing is unlawful and unsafe: ... when a solid line marks the left side of your lane (p18)
Manual page 11 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 11)
Double Solid Yellow Lines
Yellow center lines mean two-way traffic, flowing in opposite directions. / Double solid yellow lines mark the center of the road and separate traffic traveling in two different directions. Passing is not allowed in either direction. You may not cross the lines unless you are making a left turn or passing pedestrians, bicyclists, and riders of scooters or skateboards, when the opposite lane is clear and you can pass safely.
Manual page 11 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 11)
Broken White Lines
Broken white lines separate lanes of traffic going in the same direction. You may change lanes with caution.
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Broken Yellow Center Line
Yellow center lines mean two-way traffic, flowing in opposite directions. / Broken yellow center lines mean that passing on the left is allowed in either direction when the way ahead is clear.
Manual page 11 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 11)
Dotted White Line
Dotted white lines are actually small rectangles in a series where each is closely spaced to the next. They are used to show lane assignment in intersections and interchanges where there might otherwise be a tendency to drift out of a lane or an area of intended use. Often they are used to guide two turning lanes through the intersection. Dotted white lines are also used to denote the opening of a turn lane at an intersection and entrance/exit lanes at interchanges.
Manual page 11 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 11)
Solid White Lines at an Intersection
Solid white lines show turn lanes and discourage lane changes near intersections, interchange/ on- and off-ramps, and at other locations where lane changes might be dangerous. Solid white lines also mark the right edge of pavement.
Manual page 12 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 12)
Left Turn Only Arrow
Arrows used with white lines indicate which turn may be made from the lane. (p12) / If you are in a lane marked with a curved arrow or a curved arrow and the word ONLY, you must turn in the direction of the arrow. (p12)
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Left and Straight Arrow
If your lane is marked with both a curved and straight arrow, you may turn or go straight.
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Stop Line
Stop lines, crosswalks and parking spaces also are marked by white lines. (p12) / At a red light, come to a complete stop at the stop line or, if there is no stop line, before entering the intersection or before reaching the crosswalk. (p5) / You must come to a complete stop at the sign, stop line, pedestrian crosswalk or curb. (p6) / Drivers must stop for a red traffic signal behind all bicycle boxes, not inside the box. (p13)
Manual page 12 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 12)
Crosswalk (Ladder Style)
Stop lines, crosswalks and parking spaces also are marked by white lines. (p12) / You must yield to pedestrians or bicyclists who are crossing a street within a clearly marked crosswalk or at an unmarked intersection. (p16) / Passing is unlawful and unsafe: ... when approaching a crosswalk and the vehicle ahead of you or the lane next to you is stopped (p18) / Passing at a crosswalk is illegal. (p20)
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Wrong-Way Arrow
Wrong-way arrows indicate that traffic only moves in the direction indicated by the arrow. If you drive against the direction of these arrows, you are going in the wrong direction and could get into a head-on crash with vehicles headed your way. Immediately slow down and pull over.
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Double Solid White Lines
Double solid white lines separate lanes of traffic going in the same direction. Most often they are used to designate special use lane from conventional lanes, as when used to separate a High Occupancy Vehicle lanes from the other lanes of an expressway. You may not cross these lines. You may enter the designated special use lane only where signs and markings allow. (p12) / HOV lanes may also be special lanes separated by a barrier or solid double white lines. (p13)
Manual page 12 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 12)
Yield Line (Triangles)
Yield line is a line of triangles extending across the roadway that may be used with a yield sign to show the point at which you must yield or stop, if necessary. A yield line is often seen at the entrance of a roundabout.
Manual page 12 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 12)
Center Lane Bounded by Broken Yellow Lines
On three-lane roads with traffic moving in both directions, road markings show when drivers may use the center lane for making left turns or for passing. If the center lane is marked by a single broken yellow line on both sides, drivers traveling in either direction may use the center lane for passing.
Manual page 12 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 12)
Center Turn Lane (Solid and Broken Yellow)
If both sides of the center lane are marked by a solid yellow line and a broken yellow line, drivers traveling in either direction may use the lane for making left turns. However, they may not travel further than 150 feet in this lane.
Manual page 12 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 12)
Shared Lane Marking (Sharrow)
A shared lane marking, or sharrow, consists of a bicycle symbol with a double chevron arrow above it and is used on travel lanes too narrow for motor vehicles and bicycles to share side-by-side. Sharrows clarify where bicyclists are encouraged to ride in the lane and remind drivers to expect bicyclists on the road.
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Bicycle Lane
Bicycle lanes are indicated by a solid or dashed white line or green pavement markings, and a bicyclist symbol. A bicycle lane is for the preferential use of bicyclists. ... Before turning, check your mirrors for bicyclists that may be behind you and yield to bicycles in the lane. (p12)
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Bicycle Box
Bicycle boxes are painted on the road at intersections. They contain a white bicycle symbol. Bike boxes and the bike lanes approaching and leaving the box may be painted green. Drivers must stop for a red traffic signal behind all bicycle boxes, not inside the box. Bicycle riders will move into the box in front of drivers at the intersection. Right turns on red are not allowed at these intersections. If turning right on a green light, drivers must signal and yield to bicycles on the right.
Manual page 13 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 13)
Bus-Only Lane (Red Pavement)
Bus-only lanes are indicated by BUS ONLY markings and/or red-colored pavement.
Manual page 13 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 13)
HOV Lane Diamond Marking
High Occupancy Vehicles (HOV) lanes are marked on highways by a diamond shape in the center of the lane. ... During heavy traffic periods, HOV lanes are reserved for buses, vanpools, carpools, other high occupancy vehicles, motorcycles, and certain clean special fuel vehicles. / A diamond-shaped marking may also indicate that the lane is reserved for use as a bus lane.
Manual page 13 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 13)
White Curb: Passenger Pick-Up or Drop-Off
A painted curb means that you must follow special rules to park there. Check with the locality for specific meanings. Generally, the colors on the curb mean: White — Stop only long enough to pick up or drop off passengers.
Manual page 13 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 13)
Yellow Curb: Load or Unload
A painted curb means that you must follow special rules to park there. Check with the locality for specific meanings. Generally, the colors on the curb mean: ... Yellow — Stop only long enough to load or unload. Stay with your car. (p13) / You may not park: ... within areas where parking is prohibited by curbs painted yellow or No Parking signs (p22)
Manual page 13 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 13)
Red Curb: Do Not Stop, Stand or Park
A painted curb means that you must follow special rules to park there. Check with the locality for specific meanings. Generally, the colors on the curb mean: ... Red — Do not stop, stand or park. (p13) / Red markings are generally not used; but, some communities do use red curbs to indicate no parking zones. (p11)
Manual page 13 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 13)
Disabled Parking Access Aisle
You may not park: ... in striped access aisles adjacent to a parking space reserved for disabled persons
Manual page 22 · Open this page in the manual (Manual page 22)