Tennessee Permit Practice Test

When can you cross a double yellow line?

1. Whenever you want

2. When passing another vehicle

3. When turning into a driveway or making a U-turn if safe to do so

4. Only when there is no traffic

The correct answer is: When turning into a driveway or making a U-turn if safe to do so

Crossing a double yellow line is permitted when turning into a driveway or making a U-turn, provided that it is safe to do so. This rule exists because double yellow lines are designed to indicate that passing is not allowed in most circumstances due to safety concerns, most commonly on roads with limited visibility or heavy traffic. However, there are exceptions, such as when you need to access a private property or safely change direction. It’s essential to ensure that the turn can be made safely, without interfering with oncoming traffic. For example, if there are vehicles coming from the opposite direction, or if the maneuver could cause confusion among other drivers, it would not be safe to cross the double yellow line. In contrast, other scenarios such as passing vehicles or crossing when no traffic is present do not provide legitimate reasons to break this rule, as the double yellow lines specifically prohibit such actions to maintain safety on the roadway.