A single broken white line down the center of a two-lane road indicates:
- Lanes are moving in opposite directions and drivers are not permitted to pass.
- Lanes are moving in opposite directions and drivers are permitted to pass when it is safe to do so.
- Lanes are moving in the same direction and drivers are not permitted to pass.
- Lanes are moving in the same direction and drivers are permitted to pass when it is safe to do so. ✓
Answer: D. Lanes are moving in the same direction and drivers are permitted to pass when it is safe to do so.
A single broken white line means the lanes on both sides carry traffic moving in the same direction, and you may cross it when it is safe to do so.
Why this is the answer
The handbook puts white lane lines in charge of separating lanes where traffic runs the same way. For a single broken white line in particular, it says you may cross that line to change lanes once you judge it is safe. That covers both halves of the question: same direction of travel, and crossing allowed rather than forbidden. Nothing about passing a car ahead is attached to this marking, only changing lanes, so keep the answer tied to that.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Lanes are moving in opposite directions and drivers are not permitted to pass. — White markings mean same-direction traffic, not opposing traffic, so the opposite-direction part is wrong before you even get to passing.
- B. Lanes are moving in opposite directions and drivers are permitted to pass when it is safe to do so. — This flips the color rule: lines dividing lanes that move toward each other are yellow, while white lines divide lanes going the same way.
- C. Lanes are moving in the same direction and drivers are not permitted to pass. — The direction part is right, but a broken white line may be crossed when it is safe, so it is not a no-crossing line like a solid or double solid white line.
Remember it
White lines are your own side of the road going the same way; broken means the line can be crossed, solid means leave it alone unless you must avoid a hazard.