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DMV Permit · Lane Use

What is the purpose of a center left-turn lane (a lane marked with two yellow lines, the inner one broken, and left-turn arrows)?

Reviewed by Jordan Morley, Editorial Lead at 247SimpleTests. Written by the 247SimpleTests Editorial Team from the official source material cited on every question.

Correct answer

A shared lane in the middle of the road used only for making left turns (and by vehicles from both directions to turn left)

  1. A For passing other vehicles
  2. B For parking
  3. C A shared lane in the middle of the road used only for making left turns (and by vehicles from both directions to turn left)
  4. D For high-speed through traffic

Why this is the answer

A center left-turn lane — marked by a solid yellow outer line and a broken yellow inner line on each side, with left-turn arrows — is a shared lane in the middle of the road used only for making left turns or U-turns where permitted. Drivers from both directions use it to wait safely to turn left without blocking through traffic. It is not a passing lane, a through-travel lane, or a merging lane, and you should enter it only shortly before your turn. Misusing the center turn lane for travel or passing is dangerous and illegal. Understanding this special lane's purpose is part of lane-use rules of the road.
Source: State driver handbook, Center Turn Lanes

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About this topic: Lane Use

Lane use questions cover choosing the correct lane, lane markings (solid versus broken lines), HOV lanes, centre turn lanes, passing on the right and keeping right except to pass. This is one of 8 Rules of the Road questions on lane use, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our DMV Permit exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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