Teorio
Barrier line
The line separates lanes. Driving on or across a barrier line, or to the left of a yellow barrier line, is prohibited.
When you see the sign
Keep the vehicle to the right of the solid yellow line, and avoid touching or crossing it. Do not begin overtaking, turning around or any other manoeuvre that requires you to drive on, over or to the left of the line.
Rules
- You must not drive on or over the solid yellow line.
- You must not drive to the left of a solid yellow line.
- A solid yellow line normally separates lanes carrying traffic in opposite directions.
- You cannot overtake if doing so requires you to touch or cross the solid line.
- Where lines are combined, follow the line closest to your vehicle.
Tips
- Keep the vehicle well clear of the solid line, especially on bends and narrow roads.
- Stop planning an overtaking manoeuvre as soon as the lane line or warning line changes to a solid line.
- Look well ahead for changes in the road markings, so that you have time to complete a legal overtaking manoeuvre before the solid line begins.
- With combined lines, immediately check whether the solid line or the broken line is closest to you.
Common misconceptions
- Some people think the solid line may be crossed when there is no oncoming traffic. The prohibition applies even when the road appears to be clear.
- Some people confuse a solid yellow line with a yellow warning line. The warning line is broken and warns that visibility is too short for normal overtaking, while the solid line is continuous and must not be crossed.
- Some people follow the wrong line where markings are combined. You must follow the line closest to your vehicle.
Test yourself
Easy
What does this road marking mean?
- AYou may cross the line when this occurs in accordance with trafikkreglene.
- BYou may cross the line if there is no oncoming traffic.
- CYou may cross the line, but visibility is too short for normal overtaking.
- DYou must not drive on or over the line or to the left of it.
Medium
You are driving behind a slow-moving tractor. To overtake, you must cross this line. What do you do?
- AI overtake if the tractor is travelling at a very low speed along the stretch of road.
- BI overtake if I cannot see any oncoming traffic along the stretch of road.
- CI wait to overtake until it can be done without crossing the line.
- DI overtake if I spend the shortest possible time on the stretch of road.
Hard
What does the yellow colour indicate, compared with a corresponding solid white line?
- AIt normally indicates the division between lanes carrying traffic in opposite directions.
- BIt normally indicates the outer edge of the part of the road that may be driven on.
- CIt normally indicates the division between lanes carrying traffic in the same direction.
- DIt normally warns that visibility is too short for normal overtaking.
Theory test tip
Look at both the colour and whether the line is continuous. A solid yellow line is a solid line, and an answer option that allows overtaking simply because there is no oncoming traffic is normally incorrect.
Did you know
In Norway, yellow road markings are normally used between opposing traffic flows, while white road markings normally separate lanes travelling in the same direction. This colour system makes it easier to see whether the line separates you from oncoming traffic.
Frequently asked questions
Can I overtake at a solid yellow line?
Not if overtaking requires you to drive on, over or to the left of the solid line. Having good visibility or not seeing any oncoming traffic does not lift the prohibition.
What is the difference between a yellow and a white solid line?
A solid yellow line normally separates traffic travelling in opposite directions, while a solid white line normally separates lanes travelling in the same direction. Both are continuous and must not be driven on or crossed.
What do I do when a solid line runs alongside a broken line?
This is a combination of road markings, and you must follow the line closest to you. If the solid line is closest, you cannot cross it; if the broken line is closest, you may cross it when this is otherwise legal and safe.
Can I move back to the right after crossing a combined line?
Yes. Anyone who has moved into the lane for oncoming traffic may return to the right-hand side of the road, even if the solid line is then closest to them.
Practise for the theory test
Teorio has the complete theory syllabus in your own language. Download the app and practise whenever it suits you.
