Road markings
Markings on the road work together with signs and give commands without words. Understand the logic of the lines — which you may cross and which you may not — and the road becomes "readable".
Solid and broken lines
You may cross a broken line when changing lanes, if it is safe. A solid line separates opposing flows or marks places where entry is forbidden — keep to your side and don't cross it to overtake.
The combined line
A solid and a broken line side by side form a combined marking. You may cross it only from the broken-line side; from the solid side you may not cross.
The stop line and the crossing
A wide transverse line — the stop line — marks where you must stop at a red light, at a regulator's signal, or at the relevant sign. Wide parallel stripes on the carriageway mark a pedestrian crossing.
Yellow markings
Yellow at the edge is a prohibition: a solid yellow line means no stopping and no parking, while a broken yellow line means no parking. Yellow lines can also be temporary markings at roadworks.
Situation: reading the road under your wheels
A mini-scenario from Roman: road markings are just signs painted under your wheels. Three lines, three decisions.
1 / 3
A solid white line separates your lane from the next one over. Your lane is slower. Do you change lanes?
Real-world situations
A solid line down the middle of the road, a slow tractor ahead.
Don't cross the solid line to overtake. Wait until a broken line starts or a legal spot appears.
You approach lights with a stop line, and the light turns red.
Stop before the stop line, without moving onto the pedestrian crossing.
Along the kerb where you want to park there is a broken yellow line.
Parking there is forbidden. A brief stop may be allowed, but find a place to park elsewhere.
Common mistakes
Crossing a solid line to overtake.
A solid line separates flows — to overtake you may cross only a broken line, when changing lanes.
Stopping past the stop line, on the crossing itself.
Stop before the stop line so pedestrians keep their space.
Treating yellow lines as decoration.
Solid yellow — no stopping or parking; broken yellow — no parking.
Key takeaways
- You may cross a broken line to change lanes; on a solid line, keep to your side.
- Cross a combined line only from the broken side.
- On red or at a "stop" sign, stop before the stop line.
- Yellow: solid — no stopping or parking; broken — no parking.
Check yourself
A broken white line down the middle of the road means:
A solid yellow line along the kerb means:
The wide white transverse line before the lights is:
How to read the lines
- Broken line — cross only to change lanes, when it is safe
- Solid line — keep to your side, don't cross to overtake
- Combined line — cross only from the broken side
- On red or at a "stop" sign, stop before the stop line
- Yellow at the edge: solid — no stopping or parking, broken — no parking
Frequent questions
May I ever cross a solid line?
Not to overtake — it separates flows or marks forbidden entry, so keep to your side. A combined line may be crossed only from its broken side.
What is the difference between white and yellow lines?
White lines organise lanes and flows; yellow lines are stopping and parking restrictions, or temporary markings at roadworks.
Where exactly do I stop at a red light?
Before the stop line; if there is no stop line, before the pedestrian crossing, without moving onto it.
Exam prep with Roman
Theory is half the job. Roman finds your weak spots and runs a lesson in exam format.
CSDD exam preparation →CSN practice test
Official CSDD sample exam questions.
Open the CSN test →Official CSDD information
Current rules, conditions and exam booking.
Go to CSDD →Other theory topics
Prepare for theory with an instructor
Roman explains the logic behind the rules and works through your specific weak spots — so theory isn't rote memorisation.
🎮 Topic done — now try it behind the wheel
Mini-Riga: an exam route, Roman's tasks and examiner-style scoring. Five minutes of practice after the theory.