Lane markings and passing

By the ChowChow Labs editorial team · Updated November 13, 2026 · How we check our content

Short answer: Lines on the road tell you where passing is allowed.

Key points

• Broken yellow on your side: passing allowed if it's safe.
• Solid yellow on your side: no passing.
• In an urban area, a safe pass across a single solid yellow line is allowed.
• Double solid yellow: no passing anywhere.
• White lines separate lanes going the same way. Broken white: lane changes allowed.

Law or advice?

These markings are law. Waiting for a longer passing zone when unsure is good practice.

Example

On a rural highway you're behind a tractor with a solid yellow line on your side. Wait for a broken line or passing lane.

Checked against the Government of Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), used under the Open Government Licence – Alberta. Laws change, so check alberta.ca for the current rules before you rely on a number. Sources: Alberta Driver’s Guide, page 38: Pavement markings.

Check yourself

Try these 6 questions from our free mock exams, then tap Show answer. For more, take the rules of the road practice test.

1. Question 1 · Highways

   Within an urban area, may you safely pass across a single solid yellow line?

   1. A. No, never across any solid yellow line in Alberta
   2. B. Only at night
   3. C. Yes, if it is safe and no other rule prohibits it
   4. D. Only when traffic ahead is stopped

   Show answer

   Answer: C. Yes, if it is safe and no other rule prohibits it

   Alberta permits safely passing across a single solid yellow line in an urban area.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 38: Single solid urban yellow exceptionReviewed October 2026Report an error

2. Question 2 · Highways

   A highway on-ramp has a yield sign. What must you do?

   1. A. Yield to highway traffic, stopping if needed
   2. B. Stop at the sign every time, even if clear
   3. C. Treat it the same as an ordinary merge
   4. D. Merge at your speed; others must make room

   Show answer

   Answer: A. Yield to highway traffic, stopping if needed

   A yield sign means you must give way to traffic it protects.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 59: Signed yield at entryReviewed October 2026Report an error

3. Question 3 · Highways

   Another driver is passing you on a two-lane highway. What should you do?

   1. A. Speed up to stop the pass
   2. B. Move toward the centre line
   3. C. Brake suddenly as they pass
   4. D. Stay in your lane and keep a steady speed or slow slightly

   Show answer

   Answer: D. Stay in your lane and keep a steady speed or slow slightly

   Help the passing driver by not speeding up.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 71: Do not accelerate while being passedReviewed October 2026Report an error

4. Question 4 · Highways

   After passing a car, when should you return to your lane?

   1. A. After one second in the passing lane
   2. B. Right after your rear bumper clears its front
   3. C. When you see the passed car in your inside mirror
   4. D. As soon as your car is beside it

   Show answer

   Answer: C. When you see the passed car in your inside mirror

   When you can see the car in your inside mirror, shoulder check right, signal and return.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 71: Return after passing with roomReviewed October 2026Report an error

5. Question 5 · Highways

   When exiting a highway, where should you slow down?

   1. A. In the exit or deceleration lane
   2. B. On the right shoulder
   3. C. Before you signal
   4. D. In the main travel lane, before the exit

   Show answer

   Answer: A. In the exit or deceleration lane

   Move into the exit lane before slowing, so you do not slow highway traffic.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 74: Exit deceleration laneReviewed October 2026Report an error

6. Question 6 · Highways

   You miss your exit on a highway. What should you do?

   1. A. Turn across the median
   2. B. Stop and back up
   3. C. Use the shoulder to reverse
   4. D. Continue to the next exit

   Show answer

   Answer: D. Continue to the next exit

   Never reverse or make a U-turn on a highway. Take the next exit.

   Source: Alberta Driver’s Guide (Spring 2026), page 89: Missed highway exitReviewed October 2026Report an error

Next: School buses and emergency vehicles. Some vehicles need you to stop or make room.