Double White Lines

Double white lines are used to inform drivers of a hazard and where a continuous solid white line is present, prohibit drivers from overtaking as it is too hazardous to do so.

Double white lines also to separate opposing traffic flows on steep hills with climbing lanes. Double white continuous lines can also occasionally be used on single carriageway roads to divide lanes traveling in one direction.

A driving test can easily be failed by incorrectly following the rules of double white lines on the road. Furthermore, the law is strict in these circumstances and can result in penalty points of a full or provisional drivers licence and a fine.

Crossing double white lines

It is illegal to cross a continuous solid white line if the solid line is on your side of the road, except under certain conditions.

You are permitted to straddle or cross a continuous solid white line to enter a side road or property, to manoeuvre round a stationary vehicle blocking your side of the road, to overtake a cyclists, horse or a road works vehicle moving at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less. Crossing double white lines where the line closest to you is solid is illegal outside of the circumstances described above.

If the line closest to you is broken, you are permitted to cross this line providing it is safe to do so and that the overtaking manoeuvre can be completed before reaching a solid white line on our side of the road. Stopping on a road that has double white lines regardless of solid or broken on your side of the road is prohibited except to stop to pick up or unload passengers.

Fines for crossing double white line

The fine for crossing double white lines where the line nearest to you is solid often results in a driving conviction code TS50 – Failing to comply with traffic sign (excluding ‘stop’ signs, traffic lights or double white lines – resulting in 3 penalty points and a £60 fine.

Double white lines

Double white lines where both lines are solid

Solid white lines on both sides means traffic in either lane must not cross lines except for the above circumstances.

Solid white and broken line

Double white lines where the line nearest you is solid

Solid white line on your side of the road means you must not cross the line except for the above circumstances. Vehicles in the opposite lane may cross the line.

Hatched road markings with solid white line

Hatched markings where the line nearest you is solid

Some double continuous white lines have narrow areas of hatched lines within them or a wider area of hatching to the side. You must not cross a continuous white line to enter a hatched area.

Double white lines where the line nearest to you is broken

This means you may cross the lines to overtake if it is safe, provided you can complete the manoeuvre before reaching a solid white line on your side. White direction arrows on the road indicate that you need to get back onto your side of the road.

Hatched markings where both lines are solid

Hatched area to increase distance from lanes surrounded by solid double white lines. Traffic either side must not cross into hatched area.

Parking where double white lines are in the centre of the road

It may seem perfectly reasonable to park on a road with double white lines in the middle, especially if the line on your side, or the side that you intend to park is broken. However, the Highway Code (rule 240) states that you must not park on a road marked with double white lines, even when a broken white line is on your side of the road, except to pick up or set down passengers, or to load or unload goods. Note; the wording ‘must not’ is stating a mandatory action, whereas ‘should not’ advises only.

RELATED Tutorials on Road Markings

See road markings and lines for further guides on road markings and their meanings

Driving Test Tips

Eric

I wasbehind a farm tractor that was traveling under 10 mph on double white lines & there was no sign of any entrance or gateway ahead although there was a hump 600 metres ahead it was clear to see the road ahead for the next quarter of a mile was clear & well safe at this point to overtake which not only me but several cars behind me also overtook the tractor, My grandson whom had recently passed his test told me that what I had done was a traffic offence & that he had been taught by the professional driving instructor that you mus never on any circumstances overtake on a double white line, I replied that is correct unless there were certain circumstances like very slow moving transport, such as , horse, cyclist an accident, slow agricultral vehicles & providing it is clearly safe to do, The reply was: That I was talking complete rubbish & that I know nothing & he had recently passed his driving test therefore he would know better than me. As a truck driver for forty years Do I know the highway code ? Or am I talking complete rubbish and know nothing ?.

Reply Cancel

Technically he is correct. The Highway Code states:
Rule 129
Double white lines where the line nearest you is solid. This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.

As you can see, there’s no mention of agricultural vehicles. Further, scroll down to No stopping or crossing white line marking, 9(5) The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 – again, no mention of agricultural vehicle.

Having said that, the tractor driver is under legal obligation to ensure they do not hold up a long queue of traffic (Rule 169). The driver should pull over when a queue of around 6 or more vehicles form behind (providing a suitable place to pull over occurs of course). The driver could face a charge of inconsiderate driving if they fail to do so.

Inge Kaiser

Can I park on the side of a road with double lines in the middle if I am right off the road? I mean with no part of the car or trailer actually on the road, in fact at least 1 meter off the edge of the roadway?

Hello Inge,

The solid double white line road marking is prescribed for use by local traffic authorities in the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016, as amended, (TSRGD). TSRGD stipulates that a driver should not cross the solid white lines and this relates to when the driver is currently on the road where this road marking is sited.

Rule 240 of the Highway Code states that drivers ‘must not stop or park on a road marked with double white lines, even when a broken white line is on your side of the road, except to pick up or set down passengers, or to load or unload goods.’ However the restriction on stopping does not apply if there is more than one traffic lane in each direction and as such a separate Traffic Regulation Order would be required to prevent waiting or loading on these roads.

Therefore, there is no such prohibition for parking off the carriageway that has double white lines, unless specific signage is in place (outside of London).