Road markings

Road markings are a cost-effective way of helping road users travel in safety. The three main types are listed below.

White carriageway markings

The most commonly used road markings are dashed white lines at junctions to indicate priorities, and as centre or lane lines they indicate the best line for vehicles to follow.

Lane arrows are used on approaches to traffic lights to show which lane to move into.

Areas of central cross hatching, or ‘ghost island’ markings, separate on-coming traffic, reducing traffic speed and providing safe right-turning areas. These, along with central traffic islands, play a major part in reducing motorcycle accidents.

Continuous white lines

Continuous white centre line markings must not be crossed and are used to prevent overtaking and reduce speeds in roads with poor visibility due to bends or hills. It is an offence to park in any section of road that is marked with a continuous white line. Such white lines may only be crossed by traffic that is turning right.

Yellow lines

You cannot park on a double yellow line, but you can park on a single yellow line outside of the times stated on signs situated nearby the line.

For more information please visit our road markings frequently asked questions page.