Highway Code: road markings and lane use

Road markings work with signs to give orders, warnings and information on the road surface itself. Taxi and private hire drivers stop, wait and pick up passengers at the kerb more than most drivers, so waiting and loading lines are tested often in council knowledge exams. This note covers the main markings: lines across the road, lines along the road, box junctions, bus and cycle lanes, yellow and red lines, kerb marks and reflective studs.

Markings across the carriageway

Transverse lines tell you where to stop or give way:

Marking	Meaning
Solid white stop line at traffic signals or police control	Stop behind the line when told to stop
Solid white stop line at a "STOP" sign	Stop behind the line, then move off when the way is clear
Stop line for pedestrians at a level crossing	Stop behind the line when the signals show
Double broken lines with triangles (give way marking)	Give way to traffic on the major road; also used at mini-roundabouts
Single broken give way line at roundabouts	Give way to traffic from the right

Rules 175 and 176 make the stop line a legal requirement: you MUST stop behind the white stop line unless the light is green, and you MUST NOT move forward over the white line when the red light is showing. If the signals are not working, treat the junction as unmarked and proceed with great care (Rule 176).