California Vehicle Code (CVC) addresses how double yellow and double white lines should be treated and when drivers are allowed to cross them.
Inching over a double line can bring fines, and if an accident occurs, victims who jump the line would usually be held liable for the collision and any recovery costs for victims.
(a) If double parallel solid yellow lines are in place, a person driving a vehicle shall not drive to the left of the lines, except as permitted in this section.
(b) If double parallel solid white lines are in place, a person driving a vehicle shall not cross any part of those double solid white lines, except as permitted in this section or Section 21655.8.
When You Can Cross a Double Yellow Line in California
The vehicle code states that people are not to go to the left of a double yellow line on a California roadway. They may not cross over the line to pass a car.
Where there are double white lines, drivers are also not allowed to cross over.
It would be permitted to cross these lanes in the following circumstances:
- When drivers are turning left at an intersection.
- When drivers are turning left into or out of a driveway or private road
- When drivers are making a legal U-turn. (how to know what an illegal U-Turn is)
Drivers who cross over double lines are often placing themselves in the paths of oncoming traffic. That can lead to devastating head-on collisions that carry extra force from the speeds of both vehicles. The injuries can be severe. It’s why there are strict rules about not crossing over into opposing traffic lanes.
Passing on Dotted Lines
Drivers can pass a slower vehicle when they have one solid line and one dotted line to the left of them.
CVC 21460
(c) If the double parallel lines, one of which is broken, are in place, a person driving a vehicle shall not drive to the left of the lines, except as follows:
(1) If the driver is on the side of the roadway in which the broken line is in place, the driver may cross over the double lines or drive to the left of the double lines when overtaking or passing other vehicles.
(2) As provided in Section 21460.5.
CVC 21460.5 deals with a center turning lane that drivers in both directions can use. These are two-way left-turn lanes. Drivers could cross over double lines to utilize these center lanes for a left turn.
The Penalties for Crossing Center Lines
A violation of these codes would be registered as an infraction.
Going over yellow lines would usually result in these punishments:
- A $35 fine, with the total going up to over $200 when court fees are added.
- A point on your license. If these points add up, they can cause a license suspension. If you earn four points in 12 months, six in 24 months, or eight in 36 months, a suspension is likely. Points may also affect your car insurance premiums.
Of course, crossing over double lines and causing an accident can make it easy for investigators to determine who is at fault.
Reckless drivers found liable can be responsible for these damages:
- A victim’s car repair or replacement bill
- A victim’s hospital bills
- A victim’s time and earnings lost at work
- A victim’s pain endured with an injury
- A victim’s emotional trauma after a frightening head-on collision and a difficult recovery
Will I Get More Support If I Have a Lawyer for My Case?
If you suffered a serious injury and a careless driver crossing double yellow lines was to blame, you’ll often have a good chance to earn much more with an experienced lawyer handling your case.
If you have questions about whether you need a lawyer, or how much you should ask for in a claim, Maison Law offers a free case consultation with a real California car accident lawyer.
If you do need our help, you don’t have to worry about how to afford a lawyer. We don’t get paid unless we win your case, and then our fee comes out of the settlement you earn.