Is it legal to cross a solid white line from a straight through lane into a left turn lane?

Answer 1

noI have to say yes. The yellow line is the no no. Please get this one correct before I go to jail.

In New Jersey it is illegal to cross any solid yellow or white line on a public roadway with a motorized vehicle except specifically as an emergency maneuver or as directed by a law enforcement officer or to enter or leave the roadway. As such, in NJ it is illegal. In another state, maybe not.

It is not legal, crossing any solid line can result is a ticket, including the yellow lines with the diagonal slashes that are before the turning lane

Additional answerAll US State driving rules say that you may NOT cross a single solid line (white or yellow) if it is on the drivers side. It is ok to cross single solid line if it is on the right of you and on a multi lane highway

Alos you can cross a single solid white line if

• Turning left at an intersection.
• Turning into or out of a private road or driveway.
• In a carpool lane that has a designated entrance on the left.
• Instructed to drive on the other side of the road because your side is closed or blocked.

Additional answer 2

I disagree. Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices published by the U.S.D.O.T. Federal Highway Administration is the authority on this issue. It states (and I am pasting verbatim and as this is a public government manual, it is not subject to copyright.)

• A single SOLID white lane line indicates that crossing the line to change lanes is discouraged, for example when a separate turn lane is provided.
• A DOUBLE SOLID white lane line indicates that it is prohibited to cross the line to change lanes. This type of line is used, for example, to prohibit lane changes in multi-lane one-way tunnels or on the approach to an obstruction in the roadway between two lanes in the same direction.
• A BROKEN (dashed) white lane line indicates that it is permissible to cross the line to change lanes.
• A BROKEN (dashed) yellow centerline on the left side of a travel lane indicates passing is allowed in that direction.
• A SOLID yellow centerline on the left side of a travel lane indicates passing is prohibited in that direction.