Florida Double Yellow Line Rules

Florida arterial with double yellow and a legal median opening for a left turn
Florida arterial with a designated median opening for lawful left turns.

FLHSMV guidance: passing, medians, and signage

Florida generally treats double solid yellow centerlines as no-passing boundaries. Limited crossing is still possible when the movement is not passing—for example to enter a driveway or side street— and when no sign prohibits the turn.

Left-turn across double yellow into a driveway or side street

Make the movement only when it can be completed safely and smoothly, yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. This is different from overtaking another vehicle.

Yield to pedestrians and cyclists near crosswalks

At urban corridors, expect crosswalks and bike lanes near the opening or side street. Stop fully where required and yield priority before turning.

Multi-lane timing on busy arterials

Choose a sufficient gap in all lanes you must traverse. Turning your wheels while waiting can invite a rear-end push into oncoming traffic—keep them straight.

Common Florida citation wording for centerline mistakes

Typical language references no-passing zones, unsafe turns, or ignoring posted restrictions. Officers often document location and line pattern (e.g., double-double).

U-turn restrictions, visibility, and school zones

U-turns are allowed only at lawful places—often intersections or marked median openings—with adequate sight distance. Where NO U-TURN is posted, signs override centerline patterns.

Where U-turns are lawful: intersections and median openings

Prefer signalized intersections or clearly cut median openings. Avoid crest-of-hill locations, curves, or anywhere visibility is limited.

Curves/bridges, limited sight, and peak-hour risks

Even without a sign, a U-turn that forces abrupt braking from oncoming traffic can be cited as unsafe. Consider time-of-day volumes.

Posted "NO U-TURN" overrides centerlines

Signs govern. When present, they prohibit U-turns regardless of dashed/solid patterns.

Typical citation language

Citations usually note the precise location, sight distance, and whether a sign was posted.

Double-double painted median: openings vs. barrier

Continuous parallel double yellow pairs (double-double) act as a painted median barrier—no crossing. Look for clearly cut openings or posted turn pockets to cross lawfully.

NO U-TURN sign restricting U-turn across double yellow near a Florida corridor
Posted restrictions override centerlines; obey NO U-TURN signs.

Learn more: crossing a double solid yellow, left turn across double yellow, U-turn across double yellow, double solid yellow rules, W14-3 NO PASSING ZONE sign.