Left Turns Across Double Yellow LinesIt is perfectly legal to make a left turn into or out of a driveway or entrance (for example into or out of a gas station or a car park outside a restaurant or a shop) on a stretch of road where there is a double yellow line. You must of course yield to oncoming traffic. The
California Driver Handbook 2002
(external link verified Jul-02) says: "Two solid yellow lines mean 'no passing.' Never drive to the left of these lines. Stay on your side of the road. Exceptions: (1) When turning left at an intersection or into or out of a private road or driveway. (2) When the right half of the road is closed or blocked. (3) Some carpool lanes. Enter and exit at designated places only." (Page 22 - Use of Lanes) and has two clear statements: "You may cross a solid double yellow line to turn left" and: "You may cross a solid double yellow line to turn left. OK to cross double yellow to turn left. Do not cross double yellow to pass another vehicle." (Laws And Rules Of The Road - Road Markings; checked Jul-02). The Oct-98 printed edition of the
Illinois Driver's Manual "Rules Of The Road" says: "Solid yellow lines may be crossed to make a left turn to or from an alley, private road, driveway or street" (Chapter 8: Traffic Signals and Pavement Markings - Pavement Markings - Solid Double Yellow Lines). The
Massachusetts driving manual says: "Do NOT cross a double yellow line unless turning left." (Section 4: Pavement Markings - Yellow Lane Lines - Double Yellow Line: Both Solid; checked Jul-02). According to the
California Driver Handbook 2002
(external link verified Jul-02): "You may make a U-turn across a double yellow line, if the turn can be made safely and legally." (Laws And Rules Of The Road - Turns - Legal U-Turns; checked Jul-02) By the way, the same rule seems to apply to turning right across double white lines in Britain (Britain drives on the left and uses white lines where yellow lines are used in the
USA.) Paragraph 71 of the British Highway Code says: "Where there are double white lines along the road and the line nearer to you is solid, you must not cross or straddle it except when you need to get in and out of premises or a side road...".
Donc on peut bien traverser cette double ligne.