Driver Exam Practice

Ontario pavement markings: illustrated reference

Compare road-line colours, passing lines, crossing markings and lane arrows. Use the drawings to review what each marking asks you to do.

Original schematic drawings, not to scale. Read signs and signals too. This independent summary links to Ontario's official handbook for the full rules.

Rules of the road
Yellow centre lines separate opposing arrows; white dashed lines separate arrows pointing the same way.

Yellow and white lines

Yellow lines separate traffic travelling in opposite directions. White lines divide lanes travelling in the same direction. Start by checking the colour and the traffic direction.

Official source — Yellow and white lines
Opposing lanes with a solid yellow line nearest the downward arrow and a broken yellow line nearest the upward arrow.

Solid and broken lines

Look at the line nearest your lane. A solid line on your left warns that passing is unsafe. A broken line permits passing only when the way is clear and there is enough distance to finish safely.

Official source — Solid and broken lines
Wide, closely spaced white dashes divide a straight-ahead lane from a lane with an exit arrow.

Continuity lines

Wide, closely spaced white dashes are continuity lines. On your left, they warn your lane is ending or exiting; change lanes safely if you need to continue. On your right, your lane continues unaffected.

Official source — Continuity lines
A vehicle-direction arrow ends before a broad white stop line at the intersection approach.

Stop line

When a stop is required, stop at the white line. Without a line, stop at the crosswalk; without a crosswalk, at the sidewalk edge; without a sidewalk, at the intersection edge.

Official source — Stop line
Two parallel white lines cross the road between the sidewalk edges.

Crosswalk

Two parallel white lines can mark a pedestrian crossing. Crosswalks at intersections can also be unmarked. Look for pedestrians and keep the crossing clear.

Official source — Crosswalk
Three lanes display a left-turn arrow, a straight-ahead arrow and a right-turn arrow.

Lane arrows

Follow the direction shown by the arrow in your lane. Choose the correct lane early; an arrow pointing right means that lane is for turning right.

Official source — Lane arrows
A schematic crossover has paired white lines, X markings on the approach, roadside signs and overhead yellow lights.

Pedestrian crossover

At a pedestrian crossover, drivers and cyclists must stop for pedestrians and wait until they have crossed completely and cleared the roadway. Follow the crossover signs as well as the markings.

Official source — Pedestrian crossover
Yellow lines curve around a central island carrying a yellow-and-black warning panel.

Markings around obstacles

Solid lines can guide traffic around an island or other fixed object. Keep clear of the obstruction and follow the marked route. Yellow-and-black panels also warn of obstacles.

Official source — Markings around obstacles