# Is it legal to change lanes across a solid white line?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [January 30, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222 "2012-01-30T20:27:59Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/1 "2012-01-30T20:27:59Z")
I got a ticket this morning for coming off of the highway on the right side of the road and crossing to the left-hand turn lane, which by that point was demarcated with a solid line. Mind you, these lines are at least a quarter-mile long, as it’s a heavily trafficked intersection, so don’t think that I was screeching to a halt in the crosswalk or anything.
The officer told me that “there’s no legal way to get into those turn lanes because the right lane’s solid line turns into a broken line after the turn lane’s solid line begins, so once you’re allowed to make the first lane change, it’s already too late for the third.”
The Virginia DMV’s manual says “Solid white lines show turn lanes and **discourage** lane changes near intersections, and at other locations where lane changes might be dangerous.” Sounds legal to me.
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### Author:  [@Sam\_Lowry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Lowry)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/2 "2012-01-30T20:59:25Z")
I can’t remember the exact wording, but here in Texas I’ve seen signs that saying don’t cross the solid white lines that gave me the impression that it was illegal to do so. Doesn’t stop people from doing it of course, and of all the times I’ve heard of people complaining about tickets I’ve never heard anyone who got a ticket for that.
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### Author:  [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2012, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/3 "2012-01-30T21:07:29Z")
It undoubtedly varies by state; I’ve always operated under the assumption that a solid line was not just “you shouldn’t cross this”, but “you shall not cross this”. Based on what you found, it does sound like it’s not strictly prohibited in your state. I guess that means it might be worth contesting in traffic court.
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### Author:  [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2012, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/4 "2012-01-30T21:14:18Z")
this one is weird because it cant be illegal in most states, the solid white line on the right shoulder of the freeway is a great example, you arent supposed to cross it, unless its an emergency or you are directed to by law enforcement.
and carpool/hov lanes are also double wide white lines which you can freely cross depending on how many people you have in your car/time of day.
I usually teach to not change across a solid white line at an intersection unless its totally safe to do so. (if there are no cars coming up behind you I fail to see any danger in making a late lane change at an intersection)
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### Author:  [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2012, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/5 "2012-01-30T21:51:05Z")
Was the ticket specifically for crossing the solid white line (illegal lane change) or was it for something more subjective such as careless driving?
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### Author:  [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2012, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/6 "2012-01-30T21:59:28Z")
found this on wiki answers:
> [@](#):
>
> Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices published by the U.S.D.O.T. Federal Highway Administration is the authority on this issue. It states (and I am pasting verbatim and as this is a public government manual, it is not subject to copyright.)
> A single SOLID white lane line indicates that crossing the line to change lanes is discouraged, for example when a separate turn lane is provided.
> A DOUBLE SOLID white lane line indicates that it is prohibited to cross the line to change lanes. This type of line is used, for example, to prohibit lane changes in multi-lane one-way tunnels or on the approach to an obstruction in the roadway between two lanes in the same direction.
> A BROKEN (dashed) white lane line indicates that it is permissible to cross the line to change lanes.
> A BROKEN (dashed) yellow centerline on the left side of a travel lane indicates passing is allowed in that direction.
> A SOLID yellow centerline on the left side of a travel lane indicates passing is prohibited in that direction.
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### Author:  [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2012, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/7 "2012-01-30T22:03:49Z")
In Nevada it’s illegal to cross a solid white line. I have several friends who’ve recieved tickets for crossing a solid line when merging into traffic from a highway on-ramp.
The reasoning is that drivers already on the highway have a reasonable expectation that incoming traffic will not be merging until the dotted lines, so crossing the solid white line creates a hazardous situation.
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### Author:  [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)
#### Post date: [January 30, 2012, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/8 "2012-01-30T22:08:11Z")
> [@Critical1](#):
>
> and carpool/hov lanes are also double wide white lines which you can freely cross depending on how many people you have in your car/time of day.
Depends on your state, of course, but in Minnesota, you cannot cross the double white lines for carpool lanes. You can only enter and exit the lanes at broken line segments every couple of miles or so.
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### Author:  [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/9 "2012-01-31T00:45:42Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#):
>
> Was the ticket specifically for crossing the solid white line (illegal lane change) or was it for something more subjective such as careless driving?
It was specifically for 82-1-6([46.2-804](http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-804)), which the officer recorded as “Improper lane change”. He did not specify whether it was 804(1), 804(2)…804(6), but I’m guessing from the verbiage and lecture that he was aiming for 804(5) which is called [“improperly crossing solid line driver’s lane”](http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/courts/gendist/gdc-paylist.htm).
While that sounds at first like I’m screwed because I crossed a solid line on my driver’s side, if you read the actual statute, that refers to a passing zone like [this](http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/beenana/beenana0710/beenana071000018/1851585-black-paved-road-passing-zone-marked-with-a-solid-yellow-and-a-dotted-line-in-the-middle-and-white-s.jpg).
So I think the officer just doesn’t know the law that well and was going from an abbreviated version of the statute.
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### Author:  [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/10 "2012-01-31T00:54:47Z")
You may only enter or exit HOV lanes where the lines are broken. Indiscriminate entering and entering of the HOV lane reduces the effectiveness.
Some places there isn’t really enough traffic to bother with people who disregard this regulation. But in high traffic areas, people using the HOV lanes to bypass congestion or to simply give them an unobstructed lane to speed is illegal as Hell.
Channelization of traffic is done in specific ways to reduce danger to the motoring public. If you wish to challenge the lane striping, it will be your burden of proof to show that what you did was NOT dangerous. And the designers of that particular intersection have got the education and traffic studies to back up what is on the pavement.
~VOW
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### Author:  [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/11 "2012-01-31T01:27:29Z")
It’s illegal here.
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### Author:  [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/12 "2012-01-31T01:41:16Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#):
>
> It was specifically for 82-1-6([46.2-804](http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+46.2-804)), which the officer recorded as “Improper lane change”. He did not specify whether it was 804(1), 804(2)…804(6), but I’m guessing from the verbiage and lecture that he was aiming for 804(5) which is called [“improperly crossing solid line driver’s lane”](http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/courts/gendist/gdc-paylist.htm).
>
> While that sounds at first like I’m screwed because I crossed a solid line on my driver’s side, if you read the actual statute, that refers to a passing zone like [this](http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/beenana/beenana0710/beenana071000018/1851585-black-paved-road-passing-zone-marked-with-a-solid-yellow-and-a-dotted-line-in-the-middle-and-white-s.jpg).
>
> So I think the officer just doesn’t know the law that well and was going from an abbreviated version of the statute.
Sounds like its worth going to court for a couple reasons
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### Author:  [@Chessic\_Sense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chessic_Sense)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/13 "2012-01-31T14:00:48Z")
> [@VOW](#):
>
> Channelization of traffic is done in specific ways to reduce danger to the motoring public. If you wish to challenge the lane striping, it will be your burden of proof to show that what you did was NOT dangerous. And the designers of that particular intersection have got the education and traffic studies to back up what is on the pavement.
Who said anything about challenging the lane striping? I’m challenging what the lane striping means. You can’t just claim that engineers intended solid lines to prohibit crossing when that’s not what the law says. You don’t get to just make up laws that you think are just and subject other people to them.
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### Author:  [@brittekland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brittekland)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/14 "2012-01-31T14:15:50Z")
I think that’s a bit harsh. I’d say a warning ticket would be more appropriate.
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### Author:  [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/15 "2012-01-31T15:17:42Z")
Fixed typo in thread title.
Colibri
General Questions Moderator
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### Author:  [@Lukeinva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lukeinva)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/16 "2012-01-31T15:19:01Z")
In Virginia it is not allowed. In 2008 I received a ticket (which I plead not guilty) and the judge offered to erase the charge if I would take the driver’s test, and I would also get 5 plus points. In studying for the test I distinctly remember the no-crossing-the-solid-white-line rule.
Sucks that you got a ticket…
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### Author:  [@naomibatac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/naomibatac)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/17 "2012-01-31T16:17:47Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#):
>
> I got a ticket this morning for coming off of the highway on the right side of the road and crossing to the left-hand turn lane, which by that point was demarcated with a solid line. Mind you, these lines are at least a quarter-mile long, as it’s a heavily trafficked intersection, so don’t think that I was screeching to a halt in the crosswalk or anything.
>
> The officer told me that “there’s no legal way to get into those turn lanes because the right lane’s solid line turns into a broken line after the turn lane’s solid line begins, so once you’re allowed to make the first lane change, it’s already too late for the third.”
>
> The Virginia DMV’s manual says “Solid white lines show turn lanes and **discourage** lane changes near intersections, and at other locations where lane changes might be dangerous.” Sounds legal to me.
Yes, it is a traffic sign violation, solid lines means “no crossing on the other lane”.
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### Author:  [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimmy_Gibbler)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/18 "2012-01-31T16:33:55Z")
> [@naomibatac](#):
>
> Yes, it is a traffic sign violation, solid lines means “no crossing on the other lane”.
Could you do us all a favor and retype, by hand and with the same formatting, the last paragraph of the **CS** post you quote.
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### Author:  [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/19 "2012-01-31T16:37:06Z")
> [@Kimmy\_Gibbler](#):
>
> Could you do us all a favor and retype, by hand and with the same formatting, the last paragraph of the **CS** post you quote.
You do realize what the word “discourage” means, right?
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### Author:  [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)
#### Post date: [January 31, 2012, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-legal-to-change-lanes-across-a-solid-white-line/611222/20 "2012-01-31T16:44:06Z")
Here is a quote from the Illinois Rules of the Road:
> [@](#):
>
> White Lane Lines
> • White lane lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction.
> • Broken white lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction.
> Crossing the line is allowed only when changing lanes or turning.
> • Solid white lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction. Crossing
> a solid white line requires special care and is discouraged.
> • Solid double white lines separate lanes of traffic moving in the same direction.
> Crossing a double solid white line is prohibited.
I do this frequently on Lake Shore Drive going north, right in front of the Drake Hotel. Have to get over to the right hand lane quickly to exit at LaSalle. I use “special care” and have not had a problem.
It seems to me that the very existence of the double-white-line for prohibiting crossing means that the single-white-line does not prohibit it.
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