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Hatched Road Markings

Hatched road markings or diagonal road markings can cause learner drivers a considerable amount of confusion.

Hatched road markings are used to separate traffic lanes and to make it safer for the vehicles turning right.

Hatched road markings have failed a considerable amount of driving tests due to a learner driver dealing with them inappropriately. Hatched road markings are simply used to separate traffic for safety reasons. Many learner drivers try to avoid driving on them at all costs, when in reality if it’s legal to do so, it can on many occasions be far safer to drive on the hatched markings.

This section explains the legality of hatched road markings and when it’s best to drive on them.

The main rule to remember is that continuous solid white lines cannot be driven over, but broken white lines can. The images below offer a typical example where learner driver get into trouble during a driving test. Whether you can drive in a hatched area is dependent on if it is surrounded by a continuous solid white line or a broken one.

Hatched road markings with broken line

Hatched road markings

If the road is clear, try to avoid driving over the hatched road markings. Be cautious however of a vehicle behind you also turning right and cutting up beside you over the hatched area. Always check mirrors and blind spot before moving over and changing direction.





Using hatched road markings incorrectly

If the lane you intend on joining has cars waiting, avoiding the hatched area may result in your vehicle straddling another lane and restricting traffic flow. In this situation, you should enter the hatched area.

Hatched road marking correct method

If the lane you intend on joining has cars waiting, drive over the hatched road markings providing the outer line is broken.





Solid line surrounding hatched road markings

Solid line surrounding hatched road markings

Solid line surrounding hatched road markings

This image is an example on a dual carriageway where the far right lane or ‘fast lane’ is merging. A typical example often seen is where a 2-lane carriageway is merging into a single lane. This hatched area may be surround by a broken line, or if the section of road is hazardous, a solid line may surround the hatched area.

The hatched area surrounded by a continuous solid white line prohibits vehicles from entering this area except in an emergency. Where an emergency situation is not in progress, it is a traffic offence to enter the area.

Hatched road markings and the driving test

The key is to keep a keen eye on road markings to initially establish if a hatched road area is surrounded by a continuous solid or broken line. If broken, you must then determine whether it is safer to enter the area due to other vehicles either already in the lane you intend on taking or vehicles behind you. Always remember mirror, signal, manoeuvre before changing direction and if changing lanes, you must check the blind spot before doing so.

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Comments: 17
  1. Geoff
    at

    Is it legal to park opposite hatched road markings with broken lines.

    ReplyCancel
  2. at

    Hello Geoff,
    Hatched areas are not placed on the road to restrict parking, but to guide and separate vehicles to aid in avoiding collisions. Providing you are not causing any kind of obstruction and are parked in an area which does not prohibit parking, it should be fine.

    ReplyCancel
  3. sophie
    at

    Which highway code rule does this come under please?

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  4. at

    Hi Sophie,
    For lines surrounding hatched road markings and chevrons, it’s Highway Code rule 130.

    ReplyCancel
  5. Vito
    at

    Hello,

    Wonder if you can advise; Is it an offence to park in an area marked with diagonal white stripes bordered by a solid line if it is not an emergency?

    ReplyCancel
  6. at

    Hello Vito,
    Parking in this area would be somewhat irrelevant, it’s the fact the the solid line was crossed that would make it an offence. So it would be an offence yes.

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  7. Vito
    at

    your reply is greatly appreciated….. I asked because have approached Avon and Somerset Constabulary on this and they say it is not, because these markings are only advisory. My own research concurs with your own advice….are you able to point me to relevant sources where I can obtain hard evidence to challenge the Constabulary’s view.

    I would really appreciate some help on this as I think this is a matter that is in the public interest.

    Regards

    ReplyCancel
  8. John Henry
    at

    Are you allowed to drive into an area with has broken lines and hatched but the tarmac is painted red.

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  9. at

    Hello John
    Regulation remains with road markings and the red tarmac is typically used to highlight a hazardous area. In other areas they can aid in differentiating lanes from one another (bus/cycle/car etc). These types of tarmac can also have an alternative surface texture to increase friction and to help reduce skidding.

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  10. Tracey
    at

    Hi are you allowed to u turn on broken hatch lines? They are broken on both sides

    ReplyCancel
  11. at

    Hi Tracey,
    It is advised to keep clear of hatched markings with broken lines, but you can legally enter them. So providing making U-turns is not prohibited, then yes you can.

    ReplyCancel
  12. Anon
    at

    Hi
    Can I overtake when there is a hatched area with broken lines running along the middle of the road for the majority of the road itself (single lane national speed limit)?
    Thanks

    ReplyCancel
  13. at

    Legally you can providing the lines are broken and not a continuous solid line.

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  14. Anon
    at

    Thanks! That’s what I thought until I got pulled over by the Police!! He said it can only be used to overtake vehicles travelling less than 10mph. He wasn’t a traffic cop but said I would have got a ticket if traffic had stopped me!

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  15. at

    The hatched areas in the centre of the road are generally used to separate traffic lanes. If they have broken white lines it’s generally advised to not enter them but it’s not illegal. The overtaking vehicles travelling 10 mph or less law applies to solid lines, where for example you see two lines in the centre of the road – one or both of them being a solid continuous line (you cannot cross it if the line nearest to you is solid other than certain exceptions). Solid lines may also surround a hatched area. See double white lines.
    Perhaps the issue that the officer had was that it wasn’t necessary for you to enter the area.

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  16. ANON
    at

    Hi just wondering if there is a continuous hatched marking on a 2+1 carriageway and a vehicle overtakes on the hatched marking is it n offence?

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  17. at

    Hi, Where the hatched area on the driver’s side has a continuous solid white line, in the UK it would be illegal to cross, except for very specific circumstances. Though 2+1 carriageways are usually separated by a physical barrier.

    ReplyCancel

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