SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/drive-center-left-turn-lane

A middle lane has a solid yellow line outside and a broken yellow line inside on both sides. What is it?

A two-way left-turn lane, for turning left from either direction.

  1. A passing lane
  2. A no-driving buffer zone
  3. A two-way left-turn lane ✔

Why: This center lane is shared by drivers from both directions for left turns. In California it may also be used for legal U-turns. It is not a passing lane.

Huh, didn't know that: The broken line always faces the turn lane and the solid line faces the regular traffic lane.

The dad joke
The center turn lane is the most social lane. Everyone from both sides meets there.
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References

Answer: A two-way left-turn lane. This center lane is shared by drivers from both directions for left turns. In California it may also be used for legal U-turns. It is not a passing lane.

  1. California Driver's Handbook, Section 6 www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/navigating-the-roads
    Use the center left turn lane to prepare for and make a left turn or U-turn.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. California Driver's Handbook, Section 6 www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/handbook/california-driver-handbook/navigating-the-roads
    It is not a regular traffic lane or passing lane.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  3. MUTCD 11th Edition with Revision 1, Section 3B.05 mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/11th_Editionr1/mutcd11theditionr1hl.pdf
    placed with the broken line toward the two-way left-turn lane and the solid line toward the adjacent traffic lane
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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