ROAD MARKINGS
5. Solid white double center line. You are forbidden
1. Solid white shoulder line. This denotes the edge of
the roadway. Any asphalt or concrete surface beyond
this line should not be used during the normal operation
of your vehicle.
2. Diagonal white lines. An area filled with diagonal
white lines and bordered by solid white lines is not
considered part of the roadway, and vehicles are
expected to stay off unless there is an emergency. These
areas are often used to ease the flow of traffic where
roads diverge or intersect.
3. Broken white center line or lane divider. This
denotes the center of a two-lane road, or marks the
division between lanes on multi-lane roads. It is a
reminder to stay in your lane. Straddling the line is
illegal and punishable under the law. As the line is
“broken,” however, this means it is legal to cross it when
overtaking or changing lanes. Bear in mind that vehicles
continuing in a straight line within their lane
automatically have right of way, so wait your turn.
4. Solid white center line. This is often used to divide
traffic on a two-way multi-lane road. As this is a solid
line, you are discouraged from overtaking over it unless
the way is absolutely clear.
from overtaking over this line, but you may make left
turns over it, provided the way is clear. Remember,
however, that oncoming traffic still automatically has
right of way.
6. Solid yellow double center line. As we noted a while
back, this line indicates that it is unsafe to overtake at
any time. It is often found around blind curves or in
areas where fast-moving two-way traffic meets on an
undivided road.
7. Mixed center line/solid yellow with broken yellow
or white line. This indicates that only one side can
overtake--the side with the broken line. This is often
found entering curves where the view is obstructed
coming from one direction, but is clear from the opposite
side.
8. Solid white lane divider. These are often found near
intersections, and are reminders to stay in lane. As a
practice, if you're turning at an intersection, it's best to
get into the turning lane 50m before the intersection,
while the lane divider is still broken.
9. Directional arrows. When combined with solid white
lane dividers, they indicate which directions you are
allowed to go within a lane. If the arrow points forward
only, you cannot make a turn from that lane. If it points
forward and to the side, you can either go straight or
turn. If it points only to the side, you must turn within
that lane. Ignoring these arrows might just get you a
ticket, or worse, get you into an accident.

14. Rumble strips. These tightly spaced horizontal

10. Broken blue lane divider. This indicates the
motorbike lane along major thoroughfares. The broken
line indicates that you can move into and out of it, but
the lane is preferentially for motorbikes.
white lines not only give your car's suspension a bit of a
workout, they also indicate hazards ahead, such as
dangerous curves or merging traffic.

15. Solid white horizontal line. This indicates where

you must stop at a stoplight or stop sign.

11. Solid yellow lane divider. This indicates the bus

lane on EDSA, but can also be used to indicate bicycle
lanes in some areas. Bicycle lanes may also be indicated
by solid white lines on the side of the road.

16. Zebra crossing. This indicates a pedestrian crossing

zone. Stopping over this at a red light is a traffic
violation, so make sure to pay attention to those light
timers!

12. Broken yellow lane divider. This indicates areas

where you can merge into the bus lane in preparation for
turning off EDSA.

17. The yellow box. This box indicates the part of the
intersection that must--by law--be kept open at all times.
Even if you have a green light, if the traffic is stopped on
the other side ahead, it's best to wait until there's enough
space for you to clear the yellow box. Even in the
absence of a light, the yellow box must be kept clear.
13. Mixed double lane divider/solid yellow with
broken yellow or white line. This indicates that traffic
on the solid yellow side cannot cross lanes, while traffic
on the other side may do so if the way is clear. This is
often used where smaller arteries merge into main roads
or where feeder roads merge onto the highway.