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DrivingLingo

Tema 11: road markings in the DGT exam

Paint on the road ranks last in precedence, yet it decides most photo questions. White is the default; yellow bans stopping or parking.

Reviewed on 11 October 2026 · sources: BOE and DGT

Paint on the carriageway (calzada) ranks last in precedence, yet it decides most photo questions.

  • A continuous longitudinal line may not be crossed, driven on, or passed on its left when it separates the two directions.
  • A broken line marks lanes: you may cross it to turn or change lane.
  • Where a continuous line runs alongside a broken one, only the line on your side counts.
  • If the broken line is on your side, you may overtake.
  • Yellow markings at the kerb prohibit: broken bans parking, continuous bans stopping and parking.

Watch out: The continuous edge line looks like the centre line but is not: it sits on the shoulder (arcén).

In DrivingLingo: practise with the regulatory signs, review the vertical signs topic and the stopping and parking one, and do .

Source: RGC anexo I, marcas M-1.1 to M-1.3, M-2.1 to M-2.3, M-3.1 to M-3.3, M-7.7 and M-7.8; RGC art. 147.

Key rules of topic 11

Continuous line

A continuous longitudinal line may not be crossed, driven on, or passed on its left when it separates the two directions.

  • Two parallel continuous lines mean exactly the same as one.
  • Exception: the continuous edge line may be crossed to use the hard shoulder in an emergency.

Source: RGC anexo I, marcas M-2.1 a M-2.3; RGC art. 147

Broken line

A broken longitudinal line marks lanes and guides traffic: you may cross it to turn or change lane.

  • When changing lane you always respect the priority of whoever is already in the lane you are entering.
  • You must not drive along it, unless lane width makes it necessary and it is safe.

Source: RGC anexo I, marcas M-1.1 a M-1.3

Continuous beside broken

Where a continuous line runs alongside a broken one, only the line on your side counts.

  • If the broken line is on your side, you may overtake.
  • Having started from the broken side, you may cross the continuous line to return to your lane or to abandon the move.

Source: RGC anexo I, marcas M-3.1 a M-3.3

Stop line

The continuous line across the lane is a stop line: no vehicle may cross it while the duty to stop lasts.

  • It binds you with a Stop sign, a painted STOP, a traffic light, an officer, and at a level crossing.

Source: RGC anexo I, marca M-4.1

Give-way line

The broken line across the lane marks where you must give way, stopping if necessary.

  • It binds you with a Give way sign, a painted triangle, and at a green or flashing-amber turn arrow.

Source: RGC anexo I, marca M-4.2

Pedestrian crossing

White bands parallel to the road axis mark a pedestrian crossing where you must let them pass.

  • Lines of other colours may not alternate with the white ones.
  • A cycle crossing is different: two parallel broken transverse lines.

Source: RGC anexo I, marcas M-4.3 y M-4.4; RGC art. 94.1.b)

Arrows

Arrows painted in a lane show the moves permitted or required of whoever is in it.

  • The return arrow announces a continuous line ahead: abandon the overtake or finish it now.
  • Painted horizontal signs mean the same as their vertical twin.

Source: RGC art. 147.2.c) y 147.2.e); RGC anexo I, marca M-5.5

Painted STOP and CEDA

The painted word STOP obliges you to halt and give way; the painted triangle obliges you to give way.

  • You halt at the stop line and, failing that, just before the carriageway you are approaching.
  • If the marking sits in a lane bounded by lines, it binds only the vehicles in that lane.

Source: RGC anexo I, marcas M-6.3 a M-6.5

Yellow markings

Yellow markings at the kerb prohibit: broken bans parking, continuous bans stopping and parking.

  • The ban applies on the side of the road where the marking is painted, for its whole length.
  • If the ban is temporary, a vertical sign at the start of the stretch says so.

Source: RGC anexo I, marcas M-7.7 y M-7.8

Zigzag and box junction

The yellow zigzag bans parking; the yellow box junction reminds you not to block the intersection.

  • The zigzag is used at bus stops and loading bays: places to pause, not to park.
  • Do not enter the box, even on green or with priority, if you foresee becoming stopped in a way that obstructs crossing traffic.

Source: RGC anexo I, marcas M-7.9 y M-7.10; RGC art. 59.1

White, yellow, orange

Road markings are white unless stated otherwise; new markings painted on a works stretch are yellow.

  • If the earlier markings still apply during the works, they may stay white.
  • Temporary signage for reasons other than works uses orange instead of yellow.

Source: RGC anexo I, catálogo de marcas viales

Learn the rule, then practise it

Study topic 11 step by step: the rule, its citation and exam-style questions.

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