UK Road Markings Explained: White Lines, Yellow Lines, Zigzags and Cat’s Eyes

Road markings appear in many theory test questions, often as pictures. They are also easy to misread when you are actually driving. The good news is that they follow patterns. Learn the pattern, and most markings explain themselves.

I build RoadTick: Driving Theory Test, a free UK theory test app for iPhone and iPad, and the screenshots in this guide come from it. If you want to practise as you read, get RoadTick on the App Store.

What do lines across the road mean?

Marking	Meaning
Double broken white line	Give way to traffic on the major road or roundabout
Single solid white line	Stop line at traffic lights or a STOP sign
Advanced stop line (box for bikes)	Area for cyclists at lights. Stop at the first line

What do white lines along the road mean?

• Short broken centre line: lane or centre marking. You may cross it when safe.
• Hazard warning line (long dashes, short gaps): a hazard ahead, such as a bend or junction. Do not cross unless you can see the road is clear well ahead.
• Double white lines with a solid line on your side: you must not cross or straddle it, except to pass a stationary vehicle, turn into a side road or property, or overtake a cyclist, horse rider or road maintenance vehicle going at 10 mph or less.
• Double white lines with a broken line on your side: you may cross to overtake if safe, and finish before a solid line on your side.
• Diagonal hatching: separates traffic. Avoid it if bordered by broken lines; do not enter it if bordered by solid lines, except in an emergency.

What do yellow and red lines mean?

Marking	Meaning
Double yellow lines	No waiting at any time, unless signs show seasonal limits
Single yellow line	No waiting during the times shown on nearby plates
Double yellow marks on the kerb	No loading or unloading at any time
Single yellow mark on the kerb	Loading restrictions at the times shown
Double red lines	Red route: no stopping at any time
Single red line	Red route: no stopping during the times shown

Blue Badge holders have some exemptions on yellow lines, but not on red routes or where loading bans apply.

What do zigzag lines mean?

• White zigzags at a pedestrian crossing: no stopping or parking, and you must not overtake the moving vehicle nearest the crossing, or a vehicle stopped to give way to pedestrians.
• Yellow zigzags with "SCHOOL KEEP CLEAR": do not stop or park during the times shown, even to drop children off.

What are box junctions, bus lanes and cycle lanes?

• Yellow box junction (criss-cross lines): do not enter unless your exit is clear. You may wait in it to turn right if you are only blocked by oncoming traffic.
• Bus lane (solid white line, "BUS LANE" painted): do not drive in it during its hours of operation, shown on the sign.
• Cycle lane with a solid white line: do not drive or park in it during its hours. Broken white line: do not drive or park in it unless unavoidable.

What do the colours of cat’s eyes mean?

Colour	Where
White	Lane lines or the centre of the road
Red	Left edge of the carriageway
Amber	Right edge, next to the central reservation
Green	Edge of a slip road or lay-by you can cross
Green-yellow	Temporary changes, such as roadworks

For the matching signs, see UK road signs explained, and for motorway lanes and signals, see UK motorway rules and signs.

How RoadTick helps

• Practice questions for every theory topic, each with a plain-English explanation.
• Timed mock tests in the real format: 50 questions in 57 minutes, scored against the pass mark of 43.
• Hazard perception practice to build the timing the second part tests.
• The Highway Code broken into short sections that are easy to revise.
• UK road signs and markings with clear images and meanings.
• Progress tracking that shows which topics still need work before you book.

Download RoadTick free on the App Store and turn spare minutes into theory test practice. RoadTick is an independent app and is not affiliated with the DVSA.